Saving methods

When it comes to saving money, it's crucial to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your chosen method. There are two broad groups of saving methods to consider: formal and informal.

Formal saving methods involve placing your money in financial organizations, such as banks, in various forms. These methods often require signing formal documents and offer certain benefits, such as interest on deposits or savings accounts. It's important to thoroughly research and understand the terms and conditions, fees, and potential risks associated with these formal saving options before making a decision. Examples of formal saving methods include savings accounts, fixed deposits, or investment products offered by financial institutions.

On the other hand, informal saving methods refer to alternatives that don't involve financial organizations. These methods may involve entrusting your money to someone you trust or keeping it at home. Informal saving methods lack the formal agreements and legal protections that formal methods provide. It's important to carefully consider the security risks and potential drawbacks of informal saving methods before choosing this route.

Ultimately, the choice between formal and informal saving methods depends on your specific goals, financial situation, and risk tolerance. It's advisable to consult with financial advisors or professionals who can provide guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.

Informal methods of saving

The most common form of informal savings is keeping money at home. People may choose this method of saving because they lack complete information about formal savings options, such as bank deposits, or they perceive the interest rates on deposits as too low. Another reason for keeping money at home is the perceived convenience of having immediate access to the funds without prior planning. While there are advantages to saving money at home, such as easy availability, it's important to exercise self-discipline to limit access to the saved money if you want to develop a savings habit.

However, it's crucial to consider the risks associated with keeping savings at home:

Reducing the purchasing power of money

Keeping money at home without earning any interest or returns exposes your savings to the impact of inflation. Inflation refers to the decrease in the purchasing power of money over time, which means that the value of money declines as prices for goods and services increase.

If you choose to keep your savings at home, the 100 GEL you save today will still be 100 GEL after one year. However, due to inflation, the value of that money will have decreased, and the same amount may not be able to buy you the same goods or services it could have a year ago.

On the other hand, if you opt to save your money in a financial institution, such as through a deposit or investment in securities, you have the potential to earn additional benefits on your saved amount. Financial institutions offer various interest rates and investment opportunities that can help you counteract the impact of inflation. By earning interest or returns, you can aim to preserve the value of your savings and potentially even grow it over time.

By considering formal savings options, you can more effectively balance the risks associated with inflation and increase the likelihood of maintaining the purchasing power of your savings in the long run.

The risk of keeping cash at home

Money kept in the form of banknotes at home can be more prone to damage or loss, whereas in a financial institution, such risks are virtually non-existent. There is a considerable probability of physical destruction of savings kept at home in the event of a fire, flood, or other unfortunate situations.

Probability of misusing savings

Keeping money at home increases the likelihood of unintended or unplanned spending. For instance, you may encounter an expense that was not accounted for in your monthly budget, and having savings readily available at home may tempt you to use them instead of waiting for your regular income. Moreover, friends or family members who are aware of your practice of keeping money at home may approach you for loans, and you might make hasty decisions without properly assessing the associated risks, unlike if the funds were stored in a financial institution where accessing the money would require additional effort.

Formal methods of saving

Formal methods of saving offer numerous advantages for effective management and investment of your savings. In today's world, you have various options to save and allocate your savings in commercial banks, investment funds, or other types of financial instruments.

There is a wide range of formal savings options available nowadays, each with its own characteristics such as risk level, yield potential, duration, and more.

To choose the most suitable financial instruments that align with your specific needs and financial goals, it is advisable to seek guidance from a financial advisor.