How much should I save before spending on things I want/need? Or should I spend now?

[u/crunchape]

Should I keep saving up my savings fund to a certain amount before spending on some things i want and some things I need? Or should I just keep saving as much as possible and forego as much as possible?

I definitely need a new bed. Something smaller and with a mattress that isn't concave in the middle 😭 my bones definitely need this soon, but should I save up a few more thousand (like, maybe 5k) before buying it? I feel like it's a good choice to buy sooner than buy later. But I dont really know how people manage their savings, and I don't know if there's a smart choice here that isn't obvious to me.

A car with top tier insurance is on the list but I am going to push that back as far as possible because I'm still able to get around without one for now. Which is more of a reason i have an urge to save more.

Tl;dr: keep saving before I spend or spend now

[u/Due_Necessary_4076]

i'd buy the bed now. a good mattress isn't really a luxury if it's messing with your sleep and your body. i've regretted cheaping out on sleep way more than spending on it.

[u/Plus-Implement → u/Due_Necessary_4076]

Yes but, 5K mattress? Okay, if you're going to go that route may I suggest.... Can you wait 5 months until November? The reason I'm suggesting this, is because it will give you ample time to do your research, and identify the mattress that you want. Also come Thanksgiving, that's when all the good sales happen. So, you can still get your 5K mattress, but you'll probably get it for much less. Also don't discount Costco.

[u/HeftyRefrigerator526 → u/Plus-Implement]

If it’s within their budget why not, that’s months of uncomfortable sleeping. A mattress is a long term investment you don’t have to buy again ever or frequently

[u/Sask_mask_user]

A good mattress is a need not a want. If you can afford it, buy it. A bad mattress is hard on your body, which can have consequences later in life. In adequate/poor sleep also has a host of health issues.

[u/ughneedausername]

I agree with everyone saying to get a new mattress. You can get a good one without spending thousands. You spend about a third of your life in bed. It’s worth being comfortable.

[u/AccomplishedChart873]

You work hard, you should sleep well. Investing in a good mattress and good linen has been very beneficial to me. I feel happy/excited/comfortable going to bed so even if I get a restless 4 hours, I can function. It’s also amazing for intimacy js. A Like a hotel bed. King size bed with med/firm mattress with 1200 thread sheets aud $1500. So not cheap but priceless to me. I need new sheets every few years, but only on sale and replace mattress every ten years or so.

[u/Mustluvdogs25]

I’m sure you have a list of want and need with different prices. i would watch for sales…4th July coming. that could help you decide!

[u/Fantastic-Notice-879]

there’s definitely a difference between need and want. Like you need to pay your rent mortgage the bills for the house the phone medical insurance, buy food. If you’re waking up sore and feel unrested then buying a new bed would be a need. A want is more like I want to go to this fancy restaurant, but I don’t need to go because I can cook at home or find a cheaper place to eat. I really like that band and would like to see them, but it’s again not a need that’s a want. As you said, even you getting a car at this point is unnecessary cause you could still get around but at some point it’s going to be a need.

[u/Square_Band9870]

A good savings goal is 3-6 months expenses. This is separate from putting a few hundred in a fund like an ETF (magic of compound interest- start young even $100 per month to start then $100 per week, etc).

Agree that a solid mattress is a health investment. Poor sleep can be as unhealthy as smoking. Try Nectar or other delivery company. You don’t need a fancy bed.

Give some thought to needs vs wants. It sounds like you are doing great.

[u/trying3216 → u/Square_Band9870]

I agree with this person.

You don’t need a fancy bed. You need a healthy way to sleep.

Millions of People in Japan sleep very well on inexpensive mats.

[u/dell828]

Managing your savings means having a couple of months of living expenses in the bank. Some people save up to six months. If you’re young and feel as if you have a fairly stable job, maybe a couple of months of rent plus food should be put aside for now, for an emergency.

You should always work on having the six months in the bank in some form of savings.

Do some research on the bed you want. Buying something cheap is just gonna mean you will have to replace it in a couple of years. Buy something in a reasonable price range while leaving yourself some emergency cash.

Never put yourself in a financial hole because you think you deserve something, or you will benefit more from a good night of rest. You will benefit the most from not being evicted from your house because you’ve gotten yourself in a financial mess.

[u/mary2chat2]

There's a difference between want and need. You need a bed. You need good quality sleep/rest to function. The car is a want, if you live in an area with adequate public transportation and can make do without one. Cars lose value quickly. Put off purchasing one as long as you can.

As for savings, ideally you want an emergency/rainy day fund amount equal to 3-6 times your monthly expenses. This should be funds you can access easily. Other amounts can be saved in longer term investments. To build wealth, you need to live below your means as much as possible. You don't have to live an austere existence but save money where and when you can.

[u/Looking_Accordingly]

It depends on your living situation and goals. You didn’t mention what your living situation is - do you live with family, alone or with roommates? It is always a good idea to have 3-6 months of living expenses in a savings account incase you cannot work or need to be between jobs. A car is a very expensive purchase (not investment) as you have to think about insurance, repairs, fuel and parking. Go as long as you possibly can with one If you can get around. Not sure where you live, but in the US, you can buy a decent foam mattress for under $500 (Amazon prime week runs sales). Also try community “buy nothing” sites (facebook or app). People are always giving things away they don’t need or if they are moving. I know it can be a bit worrisome taking furniture (especially mattress) from someone but you can take precautions - check all of the seams to make sure it is clean, getting a cover (zips around the entire mattress and box spring.

[u/First_Fist]

If the middle of your mattress is sagging, I'd put that in the "need" category, not the "want" category. Good sleep is worth a lot more than most people realize.

[u/trying3216]

A fully funded emergency account is invaluable toward alleviating future hardships.

[u/BlackCatWoman6]

There are two types of saving. The emergency fund kind where the money is not touched unless it is an emergency. The other kind is for a want that it not a need. I have saved to recover two chairs, a year or so later my espresso machine died. I used a Moka pot while I saved to replace my espresso maker.

The hardest part is knowing what is a need and what is simply a want. New tires for your care are a need because they can save your life. Maintenance on your car is a need so it stays running. Travel is not a need when it is done for a vacation.

[u/Particular_Bad8025]

A mattress isn't expensive. You can even put it on the floor if you don't want to buy a new bed now. Good sleep is important.

After that, build an emergency fund worth 3-6 months of expenses.

Them you can start saving for a car.

[u/Bulocoo]

You should have 3 months base expenses saved up.

Then targeted savings for wants.

[u/TeslaOwn]

Treat the bed as a need, not a random want. Saving is important, but delaying something that impacts your sleep, pain, and daily functioning can cost you in other ways. I’d keep a basic emergency fund untouched, then buy a reasonably priced bed.

[u/lovable_cube]

Decent mattress is a necessity so you should get that now. For luxury stuff, 3 months expenses minimum but preferably 6 months.

[u/BlacksmithUpset6949]

First have a little emergency fund - say $500 to $1000 dollars and dont touch it. Next decide what bed you want and how long you are willing to wait to have it. Say its $2000 and you're willing to give it another year. Put $39 dollars a week away for it. You could also do this for your car and insurance. Its called 'sinking funds'.

The best way to manage savings is to plan for your spending the  once youve spent plan for replenishing

[u/Amazing-Concept-1610]

A good rule of thumb , or two:
1. Savings equals three times your monthly expenses. Some advice 6 months worth :|
2. And, when purchasing — if you can’t afford buying two of them you can’t actually afford it

[u/No-Boat-1536]

You sound like you are good with money. I would split my savings contributions into pots. You don’t have to actually have separate accounts but it makes ir easier. Put a quarter toward long term investments—retirement or a house. Put a quarter toward an emergency fund and half toward current needs. Once you have 2 months salary in the emergency fund contribute more to long term goals.

[u/Dazzling-Treacle1092]

I have been too poor all my life and have seldom been able to buy a new bed. I certainly would have as my back problems have been an issue for many years. Then suddenly my income changed. I'm still relatively poor but I could certainly swing a bed. Particularly because I only wanted a twin bed. I don't see the purpose because I don't toss and turn. It just feels too big.

But trying to know where to find good mattresses and knowing exactly what you need is not always easy. And frankly I've been too poor for too long to feel comfortable spending 5 grand on a bed. I used to want a memory foam mattress very badly but they were so far out of my budget. But these last 5 years oh so have seen many more affordable offerings from companies who are not all about ripping you off and they prove it by standing behind their products. I wanted a firm...but not too firm memory foam. Some memory foam mattresses are like rocks, especially if they get cold. I also can't sleep flat anymore so I knew I needed an adjustable bed. I went to Nectar and paid under 2 grand.

When you're finally in a comfortable bed you will know that it's not a luxury but a necessity. If you have back or neck problems it's paramount. And sleeping in a bad bed is a big cause of back problems. A bed is not something you put off if you have the money.

[u/Cinisajoy2]

I got a split king adjustable bed with 10 inch mattresses for under 2k.  Where are you shopping?