Save Your Nickels
Save Money Every Month
Regular monthly savings and investing is the key to building a large nest egg to meet your future financial needs. So how can you accumulate one million dollars for your retirement?
Each cell of the next table shows you how much money you must invest
every month for different time periods and rates of return to accumulate
one million dollars. For example, to achieve the one million dollar goal
in 20 years with a four percent rate of return on your investments, you
must save $2,726.47 each month for 20 years. The four percent compound
interest rate ensures that your total investment of $654,352.80 becomes
one million dollars.
| Monthly
Savings Required to Accumulate $1,000,000 |
||||
| Years to Save |
Rate of Return |
|||
| 2% |
4% |
6% |
8% |
|
| 10 |
$7,534.68 |
$6,791.18 |
$6,102.05 |
$5,466.09 |
| 20 |
$3,392.17 |
$2,726.47 |
$2,164.31 |
$1,697.73 |
| 30 |
$2,029.53 |
$1,440.82 |
$995.51 |
$670.98 |
| 40 |
$1,361.59 |
$846.05 |
$502.14 |
$286.45 |
| 50 |
$971.24 |
$523.74 |
$264.05 |
$126.08 |
| NOTE: To accumulate $2,000,000 double the value in each cell. To accumulate $500,000 divide the value in each cell by two. | ||||
The table shows that the longer you save and invest the less you have
to save and invest each month to reach your goal. For example, with a
four percent return and ten years to get to one million dollars, you would
have to invest $6,791.18 each month. But if started with 40 years to go,
you would need to save only only $846.05 each month. Obviously it pays
to start saving and investing at a young age.
Next, the table shows that for higher rates of return on your investments you need to save and invest less money than for lower rates of return. For example, if you earn a six percent return over 30 years, you must invest $995.51 each month to get your million dollars. But if you earn only two percent on your investments, you need to invest $2,029.53 each month for 30 years.
Target Nest Egg Calculator
You can use the Target Nest Egg Calculator - Getting to $1,000,000 or More and Recurring Investment Calculator - Watch Your Money Grow to determine how much you need to invest each week, month or year to become a millionaire.
When using the above table or the calculators, it's best to select a conservative rate of return such as four percent. If you select a high rate of return, such as eight percent, and you do not achieve it, you will miss the one million dollar target because you did not save enough money. Don't try to substitute over confident investing for thrifty savings.
