How Much Do You Put In Savings Every Month?

I am thinking about quitting my job and staying at home with our first baby. I am nervous about not having enough money going towards savings.
After all our bills are paid and we have used a little money for fun, we will be putting $700 to $1000 a month into our savings account for unexpected bills, emergencies, etc.
How much do you put in savings every month? Do you think $700-$1000 is plenty for savings for a family with one income??
BTW: I plan to go back to work in 5 years or so and I have a bachelor’s degree.

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4 Comments

  1. lizzgeor
    Posted April 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm | Permalink

    You don’t mention your income or expenses, which is very relevant to an answer. You also don’t say whether you contribute to a retirement fund at work in addition to that $700-$1000 in cash savings (which you absolutely should do first).
    You and your husband should be saving 10% of your gross household income NO MATTER WHAT. Of course if you quit your job then your income will be lower. I recommend you save 10% in retirement accounts and an additional 5% in cash for short term expenses, emergencies, etc.

  2. Blicka
    Posted April 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm | Permalink

    I manage to save about 25% of my income but I’m young, single, and can live on cheap eats. I also walk to work which helps since the average American spends ~6% of their income on transportation getting to work.

  3. duke
    Posted April 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm | Permalink

    If you can put that much into savings every month, that is great. After a few months you will have enough to live on, if you should lose your one income. I save at least $500.00 a month in my 401K but it is strictly for retirement.

  4. MSG
    Posted April 30, 2009 at 12:26 pm | Permalink

    You can do it, it depends on the interest rates use this formula to figure out where you would stand If a principal of P dollars is deposited in an account paying an annual rate of interest r(expressed in decimals) compounded (paid) n times per years, then after t years the account will contain A dollars where
    A=P(1+r/n)^n*t
    P= principal
    Rate = interest rate in deciamal form (ex. 50% =.50)
    N=length
    T=time
    hope that helps

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