It is easy to confuse saving and investing. Many people use them in sentences as if the two terms are synonymous. However, it’s important to know that “saving” and “investing” are related, but different.
At its most basic level, saving is the act of putting money away in a safe place with the intention of using the money in the future. The UK government defines saving as putting money aside without risk, and usually with the chance to earn interest. Savers can put their money in bank accounts, building society savings accounts and cash ISAs, among other places. People save for a variety of different reasons, including retirement, home ownership and travel.
Investing involves committing money into an investment vehicle in the hopes of making a financial gain. Investing is different from saving because it involves a greater level of risk and there is no guarantee that you will get your money back. Investing involves putting your money into investments--such as stocks, bonds, funds, ETFs, investment trusts and property--with the hope that your money will grow, but with the possibility that your money could shrink or disappear. This risk is assumed by investors in the hopes that they will not lose money but instead make money on their investments.
But how “safe” are your savings if you leave your money in an account for a long time and the interest this money earns does not keep up with inflation? What if you save a pound, which could buy you a loaf of bread, but then years later when you withdraw that money, it can only buy half a loaf? This is why many people use saving and investing, which allows them to earn money over long periods of time and try to ensure inflation does not eat into their buying power.
Saving and Investing Can Be Exciting
Saving and investing are both crucial to ensure you reach your financial goals in the short, medium and long term.
This can all begin to sound rather serious and dull, but in fact, saving and investing can be exciting. Saving to pay for an exotic holiday or saving to buy a house can be exciting. Even saving and investing for retirement can be fun if you think about all the great things you can do with your time and money once you have stopped working. To learn more about saving and investing for your future, read the Money Basics series on Morningstar.co.uk.