5 key differences between savings and investing

Everyone wishes to have a financially secured future. Financial security can have various purposes from buying a house, world tour with family, child’s higher education, marriage or post retirement life. So what are you doing to secure yourself financially? Are you saving money or investing? Let’s learn 5 key differences between saving and investing and what suits you the best.

Period

Savings are typically for small financial objectives to be met in short periods of time, say about 1-3 years! If you’re looking forward to buy mobile phone or to go on a small domestic vacation in near future, saving might be a good option to meet such objectives. On the other hand, investing is typically a long term plan for bigger financial goals. Say you’re planning for your child’s education or wedding or your comfortable retired life which is due in about 5 or more years ahead from now, investing from now can make these goals achievable by the time of need.

Access to money

At time of critical need of money savings serve as handy cash. You have all the access to your money in savings. You may withdraw a part of your savings or the whole amount as per your wish but at times, you end up spending money you have easy access to. In case of investing, access to your money depends on the kind of investments you make. Open ended equity mutual funds schemes allow you to redeem your investments any time. If the investment period in equity mutual funds scheme is more than one year the capital gain is exempted from tax liabilities. Government of India also provides tax rebate for equity linked saving schemes (ELSS) u/s 80C of Income Tax Act 1961.

Risk

If you have savings in reputed banks your money is safer in the bank accounts than at home. Hence risk of losing money in savings is very low compared to any investments. Besides this, your savings are also entitled to interest. Investing mediums may involve risk of possible potential returns pertaining to the term of investment or the market situations. Investing in equity market comes with an inherent risk. One might lose money if not invested in quality stocks with long term growth potential companies. Hence it is advisable to avail services of expert financial advisors. Risk in investing varies according to the channels of investments. If your money is invested in good quality companies with long term views, then short term ups and downs should not affect your outlook towards such investments. Mutual fund provides the scheme details thereby indicating the possible risk involved. Investing wisely may give returns much higher than savings in the long run.

Returns

In case you invest in bank fixed deposits, on an average, you may earn interest upto about 8-9%. Interest on savings accounts is often much lower. However, the investments in equity based mutual fund schemes carry much higher potential for long term value growth. Quality investments have higher potential returns than regular savings if compared for a long term of about 5-10 years.

Choice

The right thing is to first identify your purpose. Why do you want to save or invest your money? Check whether your goals are short term or long term. It’s always wise to save money for small term goals, emergencies and casual expenses as it provides quick access. This makes it easier to meet small goals. But in the long run, consider your changing needs, limited income sources and inflation; savings may fall short for bigger financial goals. Remember you are planning for future. It’s advisable to start investing at a young age but it’s never too late. Savings are for the present and investments are for the future. Investments are made typically for bigger financial goals which may seem impossible now but would be possible in the time to come if they are wisely planned today. Investing smartly is the key to meet such goals. To conclude, your dreams don’t follow inflation rates. It is recommended to save for small term goals but investing simultaneously may make it simpler achieve your long term dreams.

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Source: Motilal Oswal