How much of your paycheck do you put into savings?

[swanson719]

We save between 40% and 50% each month towards savings, depending on what we both want. 40% minimum, and then if the 10% for wants doesn't all get used, it goes into savings too. Some months we feel like we used too much the month before, so we'll save more, and other times DW feels like we're living paycheck to paycheck from a checkings standpoint, so I'll leave a little more there just to make her feel safe by looking at a bigger number.

[GirlyChick]

I was told a 3rd of the check. I think that's pretty aggressive. I'd say maybe 10-20%

[GREENBACK]

I'm in the 35-40% range counting my pension.

[asmom]

I'm at about 30% for long-term savings/retirement. I wish it could be more because I have some serious catching up to do.

[globetraveler]

20% (5% to 401k, 15% to consumer debt until its paid off in 2 years)

After debt is paid, it will be 10% to 401k and 10% to savings.

And I keep a 3 month EF.

[snafu]

We've always 'paid ourselves 1st' by transferring 10% of gross pay into a true [no chequing] savings a/c linked to the chequing a/c. We also put 50% of all 'found' money [lottery winnings, tax rebate, gifts of cash, bonus, overtime etc.] into savings. The last day of the month, having verified all bills cleared, any balance in chequing is swept to savings leaving just new month income.

When the saving balance tops a specific level, I transfer that sum to Money Market and 'savings' transfers to our investment plan. Our retirement has already been fully funded due to contract 'buy-outs.'

[FrugalIII]

About 40% of net income goes toward savings/retirement. I'm fortunate that I receive a monthly pension and have a full time job also. I have very few expenses and know how to pinch a penny when it is needed.

[Fizgig]

Emergency Fund 25%
Short Term Expenses 5%
House Account 13%
401k 8% gross

The EF is stocked with 6 months now, so once I get 3k over that number I'll start transferring the excess to a Roth IRA. The house account covers my taxes and insurance, so it isn't pure savings - I pad it by $150/mo to cover repairs.

I agree with the others who said that automatic transfers are the key to success.

[Helena_Handbasket]

44% for me - I max out my 401(k) and Roth IRA contributions and funnel the rest to taxable investments and a car replacement fund.

[Snodog]

We are at around 35% of gross. If you count savings going towards replacing cars and appliances then we are around 40%.