Do you believe that it is still possible to "get ahead" simply through saving?

My motto…spend while you can!

Saving – NO. Savings accounts will ALWAYS pay less than inflation.

Investing wisely -> that’s how to get ahead.

Yes! interest rates are low but so is inflation. Put some retirement money in mutual funds and let that grow, and keep some savings even if it is only getting .5% right now. If you don’t save you will wind up in debt or in a dire situation eventually unless you are very lucky.

Savings is the safety net for when there is a rainy day. People should have at least 6 months worth of expenses in savings, and as you get older (40 years old and older) I would say a year or more. I have a few years of expenses in savings, but right now it costs me very little to live and I am in my 50’s.

If my husband loses his job we can coast, it has happened before, and it is nice not to panic. If you your savings builds up then you always have money for something you want to buy. It’s nice not to save for a car or a vacation, and just have the money there when you want it.

Having to borrow money or take money out of a retirement fund early costs a shit ton of money. It is better to earn very little on some savings have a cushion.

Only if I get millions of dollars of income somehow, after taxes, and manage to get a good steady investment.

In other words, no way. I’ve always tried to buy little, and I don’t remember ever not having my taxes tell me I should be in debt.

If you’re thrifty and your expectations are reasonable (whatever “reasonable” means to you), savings can certainly “get you ahead”...although where you are is probably exactly where you want to be.

If you’re not satisfied with your finsncial status, your goals aren’t being met and you have high expectations savings alone will not be enough.