5 Ways To Save $1 Million in 20 Years (2024)

5 Ways To Save $1 Million in 20 Years (1)

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Imagine having a million dollars in your savings account. It sounds like a dream, right? Yet, with the right strategies and a bit of discipline, this dream can become your reality in just 20 years. This guide will explore five ways to save so that you can reach $1 million saved in 20 years.

Read: Pocket an Extra $400 a Month With This Simple Hack

5 Tips for Saving in the Long Term: Turn Dreams Into Dollars

How much do you really need to invest each month to become a millionaire in 20 years? Saving a million dollars is a lofty goal and requires some work, but can certainly be within your reach. Here are five strategies that can turn your million-dollar dream into a comfortable nest egg.

1. Create a Solid Budget and Savings Blueprint

The path to a million dollars starts with a simple yet powerful tool: a budget. There are several budgeting methods you could adopt, like the 50/30/20 budget, where 50% of your income goes to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment.

Or the zero-based budget, where every dollar of your income goes toward specific expenses, savings, or investments, ensuring there’s no unaccounted or misused money.

Another option is the envelope system, where you use cash for different spending categories to limit overspending. By mapping out your income and expenses with one of these methods, you’ll discover how much you can save each month.

Remember, even small savings can grow into a mountain over time, so every penny counts on this thrilling journey.

2. Start Investing in Stocks

The stock market isn’t just a playground for the wealthy; it’s a goldmine for anyone with a vision and patience. Investing in low-cost index funds or ETFs can potentially yield impressive returns over time. If the stock market seems daunting, you might benefit from talking to a financial advisor to help you make the right decisions. Think of each investment as a stepping stone towards your million-dollar goal.

3. Set Up Retirement Accounts

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s are more than just a retirement nest egg; they’re powerful tools in your million-dollar mission. If your employer offers a match, that’s free money. IRAs also offer tax advantages that help your savings grow faster.

4. Explore Real Estate Investments

Real estate isn’t just about buying homes; it’s about investing in your future. Whether it’s rental income or the growing value of property, real estate can play a big role in your wealth-building strategy. Consider a direct property purchase or you can investing in a Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT.

5. Put Your Savings on Autopilot

Being consistent with saving is going to be your best if you’re looking to reach a million dollars. By automating your savings and investments, you ensure that you’re constantly moving towards your goal, even when life gets busy. It’s like having a faithful companion who’s always looking out for your financial well-being.

How Much Should You Save Each Month?

With an estimated annual return of 7%, you’d need to invest about $1,900 monthly to reach one million dollars in 20 years. This amount may vary with different investment choices and market changes, but the key is to start — the sooner, the better.

Final Take

Saving a million dollars in 20 years isn’t just a fantasy–but within your reach with the right approach. It’s about starting where you are, using what you have and doing what you can. Your million-dollar journey is not just about the destination; it’s about the empowering and transformative path you’ll take to get there. So, take that first step today and watch your dreams materialize into a million-dollar reality.

FAQ

  • How much do I need to save to be a millionaire in 20 years?
    • To save $1 million in 20 years, you would need to save approximately $1,900 per month, assuming an average annual investment return of 7%. This calculation considers the power of compound interest and is subject to variations based on actual returns and investment choices.
  • How much will I have if I invest $100 a month for 20 years?
    • Investing $100 monthly for 20 years with an average annual return of 7% would yield approximately $52,092. This result is due to compound interest, where your investments grow based on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods.
  • How long to become a millionaire investing $1,000 a month?
    • Investing $1,000 a month and assuming an average annual return of 7%, it would take approximately 23 years to become a millionaire. This timeframe accounts for the compound interest accumulated over the investment period.

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.

5 Ways To Save $1 Million in 20 Years (2024)

FAQs

5 Ways To Save $1 Million in 20 Years? ›

The time it takes to become a millionaire depends on how much you save and the return you get on your money. If you invest $1,000 per month and get an 8% annual return, you'll be a millionaire in 25.5 years. The key to being a millionaire is to start investing right away and to be consistent about it.

How long would it take to save 1 million dollars? ›

The time it takes to become a millionaire depends on how much you save and the return you get on your money. If you invest $1,000 per month and get an 8% annual return, you'll be a millionaire in 25.5 years. The key to being a millionaire is to start investing right away and to be consistent about it.

How much do I need to save to have $1 million in 15 years? ›

But in order to be a millionaire via investing in 15 years, you'd only have to invest $43,000 per year (assuming a 6% real rate of return, which accounts for inflation). I know, I know – only $43,000 per year. No big deal. *From this point forward, the average real rate of return we'll be assuming is 6%.

How to save $1 m in 10 years? ›

In order to hit your goal of $1 million in 10 years, SmartAsset's savings calculator estimates that you would need to save around $7,900 per month. This is if you're just putting your money into a high-yield savings account with an average annual percentage yield (APY) of 1.10%.

How to save $500,000 in 10 years? ›

Retirement Savings: How To Make Up a $500K Shortfall in 10 Years
  1. Understand the Three Levers. ...
  2. Delay Retirement or Work Part Time. ...
  3. Diversify Your Portfolio. ...
  4. Utilize Compound Interest. ...
  5. Proceed With Caution. ...
  6. Harness the Power of LEAP Options. ...
  7. Aggressively Save. ...
  8. Regularly Rebalance.
Nov 3, 2023

How to save million dollars in 20 years? ›

How to Save $1 Million in 20 Years
  1. Retire Later If Possible. Most experts no longer consider 65 the age of retirement. ...
  2. Target a Rate of Return. ...
  3. Adjust Your Investments for Inflation. ...
  4. Calculate Daily, Monthly and Annual Investments. ...
  5. Adjust Your Savings and Time Horizon. ...
  6. Bottom Line. ...
  7. Tips to Invest in Retirement.
Sep 5, 2023

Can $1 million last 20 years? ›

Around the U.S., a $1 million nest egg can cover an average of 18.9 years worth of living expenses, GoBankingRates found. But where you retire can have a profound impact on how far your money goes, ranging from as a little as 10 years in Hawaii to more than than 20 years in more than a dozen states.

How to be rich in 10 years? ›

Keep Cash in Interest-Bearing Accounts

To build wealth, you should be investing the majority of your funds, but you will of course need access to cash during this time. Moore said to be mindful of where you keep this cash when you're in wealth-building mode.

How to save $2 million in 30 years? ›

Having 30 years to save means you'd need to increase your portfolio by $66,666 a year on average. If you don't think you can do that at your current savings rate and rate of return, then you may need to consider waiting until 70 or 75 to retire to hit the $2 million mark.

How to turn 100k into 1 million? ›

If you keep saving, you can get there even faster. If you invest just $500 per month into the fund on top of the initial $100,000, you'll get there in less than 20 years on average. Adding $1,000 per month will get you to $1 million within 17 years. There are a lot of great S&P 500 index funds.

Can I retire at 60 with $1 million? ›

With $1 million in a 401(k) and no mortgage on a $500,000 home, retirement at 60 may, in fact, be possible. However, retiring before eligibility for Social Security and Medicare mean relying more on savings. So deciding to retire at 60 calls for careful planning around healthcare, taxes and more.

Can you live off interest of $1 million dollars? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

How to turn 200k into 1 million? ›

The key is to do your research, invest in funds that give returns to match your goals and diversify your assets. Of course, no individual investment is a guaranteed win. However, a portfolio with an array of investments across different sectors and industries is the most likely to return consistent gains.

How to save 100k in 2 years? ›

7 tips for getting your first $100,000
  1. Figure out how much money you can safely save each month. ...
  2. Automate your savings. ...
  3. Maximize your employer-sponsored savings and investment accounts. ...
  4. Save your tax refunds and work bonuses. ...
  5. Pay off existing debt. ...
  6. Seek a raise or some other way to increase your income.
Jan 2, 2024

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How to save $10,000 in 12 months? ›

To reach $10,000 in one year, you'll need to save $833.33 each month. To break it down even further, you'll need to save $192.31 each week or $27.40 every day. These smaller chunks are much more realistic and simple to comprehend, making it easier to track your progress.

How long can it take to save $100,000? ›

How long will it take to save $100,000?
YearsSaving 10% ($500 a month)
10$71,094 ($10,594 interest)
15$116,612 ($26,112 interest)
20$170,673 ($50,173 interest)
50$788,780 ($488,280 interest)
5 more rows
Mar 27, 2024

How does $160 month over 40 years become over $1 million? ›

Multiplying 480 (40 years) payments by $160 equals $76,800. So in this case, the impact of compounding has almost a 13X multiplier effect: $76,800 was contributed to create a final future value over $1,000,000.

How long does it take to go from 100k to $1 million? ›

The time it takes to turn $100k into $1 million through investing varies based on factors like the type of investments, the return rate, and whether returns are reinvested. Assuming an average annual return of 7%, and reinvesting all gains, it could take approximately 30 years to reach $1 million.

At what age can you retire with $1 million dollars? ›

Retiring at 65 with $1 million is entirely possible. Suppose you need your retirement savings to last for 15 years. Using this figure, your $1 million would provide you with just over $66,000 annually. Should you need it to last a bit longer, say 25 years, you will have $40,000 a year to play with.

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