If you are in doubt, enter invest or save, you have certainly arrived at the right place!
If you've ever had that late Sunday chat about money with family or friends, someone has probably told you: "I'd rather put my money in savings, it's safer".
Or perhaps, "Investing? Oh, I don't want to do that, it seems too complicated".
And we mustn't forget the famous phrase: "I'm saving up to buy what I want".
But are we making the best choice when deciding between investing and saving?
If you want to know more about the subject, keep reading this article we prepared for you!
Saving is the act of saving money, saving it for a specific objective or simply to create a reserve. It’s the famous “save it for rainy days”.
If you've ever put money in the piggy bank, anxiously waited for change just to save that coin or used a spreadsheet to control your spending, then you know what we're talking about.
Saving is essential for anyone who wants to have a healthy financial life, as it creates a margin of safety against unforeseen events, makes dreams come true and, of course, gives that pleasant feeling of security.
Investing is the act of allocating money with the expectation of obtaining some future return.
It's taking that money you've saved and saying: "Go on, dear coin, and get yourself some more friends".
Jokes aside, when we invest, we try to make our money grow over time, whether through interest, dividends, asset appreciation, among others.
The objective of the investment? Multiply capital. And yes, investing has its risks. But before you turn up your nose, remember: life is full of risks!
Even savings, which are considered super safe, have their risks (such as inflation eroding the real value).
Investing is an art and a science at the same time. And just like any art or science, it has its own nuances and characteristics.
Taking time to understand the world of investments can open doors to returns that, compared to savings, would seem like pure fantasy.
Have you ever heard of the concept of a Financial Tripod? Basically, it teaches us that an investment can never perfectly combine liquidity, risk and profitability. Typically, it combines two of these elements. It's like a balancing game!
Consider savings: it's like a comfortable mattress where your money rests. It allows you to withdraw your money whenever you want (high liquidity), offers security (low risk), but on the other hand, its returns are low.
Now, venture into the vast ocean of investments, and you will see options that ask for patience (low liquidity), but promise encouraging returns (high profitability).
Dreaming of a peaceful future and perhaps a comfortable retirement? So look beyond the immediate horizon.
In fact, investing, when well studied and aligned with your profile, can be the treasure map you were looking for!
So, we come to the key point: invest or save? The answer may seem a little peculiar, but how about both?
Saving is the first step. Without savings, there is nothing to invest. But once you have an emergency fund and good financial control, it's time to think about making that money work for you.
The idea is simple: save up to create a fund and, when you feel confident, start investing part of it. It's not a question of "or", but of "and". Save AND invest.
Setting goals is like plotting a route on a map before starting a journey. When you clearly establish an amount to be saved or invested, you not only determine the destination, but you can also visualize the path to be taken to reach it.
Many financial gurus preach a golden rule: pay yourself first. Translated, this means that, before paying off any debt or expense for the month, you must set aside a predetermined amount for yourself, as a kind of self-reward for the work done.
Imagine that you decide to save R$ 400.00 every month. This amount becomes your number one priority.
It's like a fixed account that you can't escape – but, unlike ordinary accounts, this is a positive debt for your future!
But, living isn't just about saving, right? We all have dreams and desires, from traveling the world to simply acquiring an object of desire or taking up a new activity or hobby.
And here comes the magic of financial balance. It is perfectly possible, and healthy, to set aside part of your money for these moments of leisure and personal satisfaction.
So, what would be the ideal recipe for effective financial management?