How Much Is Everyone Saving?

How much of your take home pay are you saving? If you are a good saver are you living at home/rent & mortgage free? Are you happy with your lifestyle?

Did some numbers yesterday and between my partner and I we can maybe save $50,000p.a. between us if we want to make an effort, but don't want to scrimp on everything because who wants to live like that? Depressingly - that's only a $1.5m house if we did that for the next 30 years with zero interest, which if you are living in Sydney or Melbourne barely gets you a decent sized home these days.

Poll Options

  • 152
    0% live pay check to pay check
  • 84
    <10%
  • 95
    10%-20%
  • 68
    20%-30%
  • 65
    30%-40%
  • 403
    >40%

Comments

    • +25

      You're only going to be young for a very-very short time..

      Think really carefully before wasting these best years of your life doing nothing amazing.

      • -2

        Life is long and best enjoyed being rich and healthy. Doing nothing amazing can contribute to both.

        • +2

          In life there are always trade-offs to be made.

          However, no amount of wealth can bring back those years of youth that have passed.

          • @trapper: There’s always going to be a temptation to look back and regret choices. A better way is to look forward and enjoy present.

  • i don't think many Ozbargainers will be living outside their means (i.e would be saving >50% of their paycheque).

    • +28

      sweating profusely

      • +13

        I mean our average wage here is like $200k right?!
        RIGHT!?!?
        IT'S WHAT THE SURVEY SAYS!

        • +7

          There was someone the other day saying they had a job offer at over 200k , I’m like bro that’s 3 x my salary HAHA

          • +6

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: Luck has a lot to play in terms of how much people earn IMO.

            I was on $70k a few years ago now staring down the barrel of a $110k+ role. How did I increase my salary this much in 3 years? Luck, I haven’t worked that hard on my LinkedIn nor have I committed time to study to be better at what I do.

            Still a poor (profanity) though (because houses earn more than I do in a year, therefore I am worthless) despite basically increasing my net worth by 3x my salary in the past 3 years, and that’s on top of paying rent and living expenses, and not owning a property (which no doubt would’ve exploded my net worth).

            People waffle on about wage growth, the only way to grow your wages is to get a higher paying job. No such thing as innate wage growth, although increases in line with inflation should be the bare minimum.

            Ridiculous that a patch (I.e. something that’s like 1 m * 1 m) of dirt in Sydney — maybe with one or two bricks on it — that does absolutely nothing probably earns more than a human being going to work every day.

            • @Ghost47: You need to either find promotions internally or job hop in another company. Promotions internally are way easier now because you just can't find good people, and with all the turnover / staffing issues in companies these days they are looking for someone to hit the ground running.

              Ultimately if you have no ambition and not prepared to put the effort in, you'll just be like everyone else and stay stagnant. I wouldn't put it down to luck….. It's just most people are mere mortals that aren't prepared to do what it takes to be successful.

  • +2

    before know ozb:
    How Much Is Everyone Saving?

    after know ozb:
    How Much Is Everyone Spending?

  • +4

    DINKs, living our best lives.

    • Won't ve kids ever?

      • +11

        Yep, to us, it would be a significant drag on our life. We have weighed the pros and cons for many years.

        • -1

          Kids sucks! Don’t have them 😂😂. Wish I know that before I have 2

          • +11

            @tomleonhart: Dont say shit like this, even in jest.

            You chose to bring them into the world, not the other way around!

            • +5

              @hothed: I just did. What are you going to do about it? 😉

            • +1

              @hothed: Kids aren't always a choice for the man. Some of them naively believe their woman is on the pill.

              • +1

                @Some Human: It's very sad that when a guy lies about using a condom that people cry "rape", but when a girl lies about using the pill, the guy is largely brushed off. "Stealthing" goes both ways, and the latter is more common than people think.

          • +2

            @tomleonhart: Perhaps this just more reflects on your kids than kids in general ;)

            • +1

              @SBOB: Oh for sure. My kids are ahole just like me. Anddd they’re financially drag.

              • +2

                @tomleonhart:

                Dont say shit like this, even in jest.

                This stigma is why you only hear stories about people who are happy with kids.

                All the people who are secretly regretful about the impact it has had on their lives and wish they didn't have them, do not end up sharing this opinion with others.

                Thus people who are not sure whether to have kids or not only ever hear good stories and may get suckered in to having them.

                So….

                Dont say shit like this, even in jest.

                How about NO.

    • +1

      Have you considered what life will be like when you’re 65+?

      It’s all well and good to enjoy life now, and I definitely think not having kids means you can actually have your own life (and also better for the planet), but there’s a saying that goes “pay now or pay later”, i.e. you can enjoy life now without kids, but if you don’t hav anyone to help you later life could be harder.

      High house prices also forcing people to reconsider how many kids to have/delay having kids, another reason why they’re great.

      My aunt and uncle couldn’t have kids, back then my uncle was ok with it because he has a lot of nephews, now he’s starting to feel a bit lonely as he gets older and only lives with my aunt. They have a big house and nice things, but no kids. I would be careful about being DINK without consideration of the future.

      • +9

        Yep, we have thought about life after 65 - not looking forward to that age and beyond. We have thought about our money and where will that go etc. We have thought about who would look after us etc. Hopefully, when we get to 65 or more - there are some really intuitive AI-powered robots will look after us, and if that doesn't work - we will just have to trust the aged care system.

        Money was not a consideration for us to not have kids but rather that it was our lifestyle. We do the whatever we want usually, including the 4 overseas trips we have had this year and potentially a 5th next week if I manage to sort out some bookings.

        Will we regret it one day? I am sure we will and we will think about it , but the selfishness in, especially me, says I will regret it today and the next 20 years as we have to look after them until post-university.

        • That’s good, as long as you’ve weighed up the pros and cons.

          I think as long as you and your partner stay active and healthy then you hopefully won’t have any health issues when it comes to your later years.

          • +4

            @Ghost47: That's the dream to be as healthy and active as possible and not overcome by degenerative disease. People we know say we are constantly looking for new things to do, see, learn, and explore so hopefully as long as we are healthy- we can continue that. Will be sad that the end of the family tree stops on my side (well my brother and sister have kids), so yeah lots of factors to think about, and expectations etc. but at the end of the day, it's our life and we think this is the best option. Nobody makes deliberately decisions that expect bad outcomes, but we hope and feel that this is the right one for us.

        • +14

          Until post-university? These days you are lucky if they leave before 30…
          If you get lonely, get a dog. At least you know it will only cost you for 10-15 years…

          You don't need to have children to be happy, even if society tells you otherwise. You do you. If it works, why complicate it…

        • +3

          a lot of people want kids because others have them and they don't. that is selfish. you can have a dozen kids, does not mean that they will wont move over seas, hate you, ignore you, be so useless that they can't even look after their own lives and you have to look after them when they should be looking after you etc etc etc. having kids, so they can 'be there' for you, when you need it, is a stupid idea.

          • +1

            @hueylewis:

            hate you, ignore you, be so useless that they can't even look after their own lives

            This is a product of bad parenting though. Your children will behave how you taught them to behave.

            • -1

              @trapper: i have friends who were strict parents and i have friends who were easy going parents. all of their kids are a-holes. it is not the parents, it is western hemisphere society and culture. in the eastern hemisphere the kid thing works better.

              • +1

                @hueylewis: There is much more to parenting than being strict or easy-going lol

                • -1

                  @trapper: 'your children will behave how you taught them to behave' yeah sure. lol

                  • @hueylewis: Who do you believe is responsible for teaching children how to behave?

          • +6

            @hueylewis:

            having kids, so they can 'be there' for you, when you need it, is a stupid idea.

            I agree with this though. Kids are the reward on their own, don't have them for selfish reasons.

      • +17

        Kids won't necessarily help you later in life. Some might even make it worse

        • That’s true.. part of it is how they’re raised, but maybe they’ll just be prone to psychosis.

      • +2

        I know you're saying this with good intentions. I don't think its great to sacrifice 20 years of my life for 10 years of kids potentially keeping us company. They'll be their own persons and its up to them to do whatever they want after I'm 65. So expecting nothing from them, means I might as well not invest any of my time in the start.

        Hopefully I'll be able to off myself at 75 before my body starts breaking down too much. With how I'm planning my financials, FIRE at early 50s. Spend all my super in my early 60s. Go on the pension and smell the roses for a few years after that and when life starts to get achy, slow and boring. Would be more than eager to stop there after. I'll have done what I want to do and seen what I want to see. I love the new millennium and the options that we have been given along with it.

        • Fair enough. I don’t mean to say “have kids because they can be your slaves when you’re old” like some people seem to think I’m saying. It’s just a potential side benefit of having children, that they’ll help take care of you in your older years.

          Valid points were raised about them potentially doing their own thing etc. I think as long as people remain active and healthy then hopefully their twilight years will be enjoyable, i.e. healthspan rather than lifespan.

      • My family all die at 70ish. I'll have fk all years left.

      • +2

        You sound like my relatives 'ohhh you need to get married and have kids otherwise who will look after you later???'

        so do something you hate and endure for 30 years so I can have a potential easier last 20 years? Sounds like a horrible reason to get married and have kids

  • +2

    Note: savings ratio typically varies with age. Just asking for it in isolation is a bit meaningless.

    See: https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/22732/100446/household…

  • +3

    Does buying high yield investment car consider saving ?

  • +8

    I Take 50% of my money and put it in the Blue-chips. Transatlantic Zeppelin, Amalgamated Spats, Congreves Inflammable Powders, U.S Hay, and sink the rest into that up-and-coming Baltimore Opera Hat company.

    • +2

      Every move a right one!

    • Just like this dude

    • +7

      someone over the age of 18 mooching off your mumma’s teet still by living at home and contributing fvck all

      What's wrong with that?

      Unlike western cultures where kids often get kicked out of home and left to fend for themselves at 16 or 18, it's pretty normal in non-western cultures for kids to still be home at 18. Most people at that age would just be finishing high school or starting uni so they're not expected to contribute. In fact, kids are encouraged to stay home.

      I'm more than happy to say that I'm a product of two parents that put my interests ahead of their's and you can laugh all you want.

        • +9

          Maybe the concept of a 'family' is foreign to you, but don't assume it's the same for everyone.

          • -5

            @bobbified: Why would you not want to contribute to your household, even if it’s not asked or expected. That’s part of family to me, not being a financial burden.

            • +4

              @Tee Rex Arms: When we're 18, we're encouraged to focus on our studies so we have the best chance for the future.
              When I started working, I gave my parents a decent amount each pay. When I was ready to buy a place to move out, my parents actually gave me back everything I gave to them in the years prior. They didn't spend anything and just saved it all for me.

              There are more important things than just money.

              I don't think my parents are the only ones that did that, but it definitely doesn't sound like yours did.

      • Unlike western cultures where kids often get kicked out of home and left to fend for themselves at 16 or 18, it's pretty normal in non-western cultures for kids to still be home at 18.

        What kind of 'western' culture is this? None that I recognise.

        Most kids in the west will be living at home at least until they have finished their education, plus maybe another year on top of that while they get settled in with decent job and save up a little bit of cash before they venture out.

        26ish is not unusual at all.

        • America. They love booting kids to the kerbside.
          "The median age at the time of moving out was about 19 years."

          • @Techie4066: The census referenced by that study says 59.4% of men and 50.9% of women aged between 18-24 were still living with a parent.
            https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publicatio… (page 10)

            • @trapper: I take it you haven't studied statistics. That's an age range, and taking the median gives a more accurate picture.

              • @Techie4066: You should read your own reference material more carefully before speculating about my educational background.

                  • @Techie4066: What does 'moved back' mean to you?

                    • @trapper: Young people failed in moving out because of the very fact the US has a cultural problem with social pressures to leave the nest early. We were talking about the age at which people move out regardless. That's the time when parents or the child believes they're ready for independence, no matter if that pursuit fails or not.

                      • @Techie4066: lol you are grasping at straws.

                        Even the graph you just pasted in shows only ~30% of 19 year old's were actually living away from their parents, and that was of people born 1980 - 1984, none of which are young adults now.

                        Meanwhile the actual flippin census referenced in that same article shows that the majority of men and women aged between 18-24 were in-fact living with a parent.

                        It appears that you googled a random article to fit your worldview, then pasted it in without even reading it.

                        • @trapper: A "random article" from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics… really. Seems you 1) haven't looked at it, 2) haven't tried googling because it's the first result to "USA median age moving out" which Google also quotes from.
                          You're arguing over nothing because the fact is 50% attempted (and did, some unsuccessfully after leaving home!) to move out by 20. That was the expectation.
                          So yes: 19 was the median age at which people first executed the action of moving out, aligning with what you quoted:

                          Unlike western cultures where kids often get kicked out of home and left to fend for themselves at 16 or 18,

                          • @Techie4066: The article does not support your argument.

                            The majority of men and women aged between 18-24 were in-fact living with a parent.

                            And at your 'median' age of 19, 70% were in-fact living with a parent.

                            This is coming from the article you provided. lol

                            • @trapper: And were a fair proportion of that 70% living away from home at some stage? Was the expectation to leave home as per the subject of this thread? Yes or no.

                              • @Techie4066: It is not accurate to claim that people currently living at home with their parents have been 'kicked out.'

                                This does not make sense.

                                • @trapper: Did I say 'kicked out'?

                                  • @Techie4066: That was the statement we are discussing.

                                    You personally described this as 'booting kids to the kerbside'.

                                    • @trapper: Isn't it obvious that example doesn't apply literally to every situation? Kicking kids out is also part of the problem in the US and that seems to be evidenced by young people moving back in.

    • Haha yeah

  • +1

    This gives the RBA more ammo to increase interest rates further.

    • +2

      Yep. Though I seriously do not believe so many people are saving more than 40% of their income! If you have a mortgage still and it’s going into the offset, that’s not saving - that’s paying off your loan.

  • +8

    Did some numbers yesterday and between my partner and I we can maybe save $50,000p.a. between us if we want to make an effort, but don't want to scrimp on everything because who wants to live like that? Depressingly - that's only a $1.5m house if we did that for the next 30 years with zero interest, which if you are living in Sydney or Melbourne barely gets you a decent sized home these days.

    Three points:

    1) "with zero interest" is a ludicrous assumption - a huge chunk of your wealth over 30 years is compound interest, not your savings - remember that. Case in point, if you want to figure out how much you would save over 30 years with $50K p.a., assuming quite modest rates of (let's say) 3%, then you'll have around $2.4m after 30 years of savings, not $1.5m (which is obviously a huge difference). (Excel "=FV(0.03,30,50000)" for the calculation).

    2) This is not how people buy houses, you need to leverage, and over time as the property appreciates in value at a higher rate than your mortgage rate, you'll become better off. FWIW, I'm not making any political statements about whether this "should be the case" or needing to take on large amounts of debt to purchase a property is "good" or "bad", but it is the reality of what most people do.

    3) "barely gets you a decent sized home" is also a ridiculous statement. I never understand how people can say things which are just so blatantly wrong factually. The median house price in Melbourne (for example) is around $750K, i.e. a "decent sized home" (i.e. an average home) is only half of what you are saying it costs. (Source: https://propertyupdate.com.au/the-latest-median-property-pri…). FWIW, I've no problem with someone wanting to live in a $1.5m house, but to pretend that this is not a "top 15%" home is disingenuous to me.

  • Nada

    I did hear Cryptocurrency is really good to get in currently, buy low sell high that kind of thing.

    Apart from that some of my colleagues save roughly 40% of their income.

    They reckon people that fail to save at least 25% of their yearly income are just wanton spenders with no knowledge

  • +2

    This is a dumb poll, most be based on how big is your mortgage/rent comparing to the pay. If you don't have to pay either, you be laughing.

    • I know a couple of people who have paid off their houses and can confirm they are definitely laughing.

  • +1

    Saving nothing. What I don't spend at the end of each month goes onto additional mortgage repayments.

    • +6

      That's savings.

      • -4

        Not really. You're just paying off a loan faster.

        • +1

          Most banks have it available as redraw. So not only is it money that you can access if you need (e.g. savings), it also reduces the amount of interest you are paying on your loan.

  • Should mortgage payments be considered as savings or expenses? IMO, they are savings (the principal part) as you will get them back at a later time (assuming property prices have appreciated since you bought)….

    • I interpreted mortgage repayments as a form of forced savings.

  • Took the time to update my 'Monies' spreadsheet to improve the tracking a bit.

    To not give away more than poll is asking, I'm above 40%, but I'm in a fortunate situation (no rent/mortgage/kids). In my 30s.

  • +1

    Coincidentally, I was saving much more before I found Ozb 7 years ago. But I am still more content knowing that what I buy, even if it's a luxury item, I am getting the best deal possible.

  • -5

    Speaking of outrageous interference, capping gas prices is ridiculous, however well motivated. One way to get prices down is to increase supply by encouraging companies to explore and produce. Putting a price cap on will discourage gas companies and ultimately hurt supply. Better to export the stuff to where the price is higher and not bother with the Aussie market.

    • +1

      Lol. Even if they were some how able to double their output, it would all just sent over seas for a big profit.

      The Oil and Gas companies will never supply enough of our own Gas to us to keep prices low unless forced to.

    • +1

      More supply wont help as the issue is not australian consumption, it is high international prices due to international shortages. Without a cap prices would continue to surge regardless of what mire capacity is spproved. More capacity would just bolster there profits while still seeing australians screwed.

  • What ever op is earning is how much I'm earning.

  • These threads are always kinda useless cos what does save mean? Everyone’s going to have their own definition.

    For some it means just what’s usually left over monthly after all expenses that’s one thing but you probably do plan to spend some of that at some point so is it still saving?

    I have an amount that I save that I don’t plan to ever spend at all until I stop working and for me that’s 20% of my take home. Not including super contributions which I also max out.

    • Yes, an important distinction. Mine is similar , 50-60% I 'save' out of my paycheck , but probably closer to 25-30% turns into long term savings.

      Averages last 2.5 yrs it has been even less than that, closer to 15%, thanks to a few very big expenses :(

    • All my earnings go into an offset (not mine - it's complicated) and all my expenditures come out of it. It's a perfect little pot to calculate exactly how much I'm saving over any period of time.

      Year to date: outgoings divided by incomings: 72%. Also salary sacrificing super.

      No rent or mortgage etc.

  • Well with the amount of NAS sales and I.T jobs Ozbargain keep talking about. To me it seems about everyone whos after NAS are making about 200k+ with security cams around their houses. Im guessing they're the saving 40%+

  • +2

    About tree fiddy

    • Damn you, loch Ness monster!

  • +1

    saving 1k a month… I guess I can come up with a house deposit for a decent 2 bedroom in a few decade's time…

  • 2021/22 financial year i left my FT low paying job in november 23/hr process worker fcmg 18k, got into warehousing casual 28/hr as pick packer worked like a headless chicken working every shift and ot made 40k to finish that financial year doing the same tasks as previous workplace end of the conveyor belt palletizing finish/ordered goods….save like +50k total …this 2022/23 financial year union negotiated payrise to 32/hr, i grinded even harder made 30k in 5 months, save about 25k

    my partner and i combined save like 10k minimum each month…12k is pushing it if we scale back on impulse purchases..i dont pay rent, mortgage…own my own house, only pay utility bills..

    • sounds absolutely miserable

    • 18k,… made 40k to finish that financial year ….save like +50k total

      Made 58k in an FY and saved 50k+
      :/

      • Yeah he eats one can of baked beans a day

        • +1

          he gets a whole can!?

  • Who'll know tomorrow? Live pay check to pay check is good.

  • Need an option for negative

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