How to Save a Million Dollars in 10 Years - SmartAsset (2024)

How to Save a Million Dollars in 10 Years - SmartAsset (1)

A common number that people generally seek to save is $1 million. It’s a good start to long-term retirement and is a threshold that people view favorably as they seek to reach their financial goals. Saving $1 million is doable, but it becomes more challenging the fewer years you have. You’ll need to take into account a number of factors to maximize your savings and make certain investments in order to save $1 million in 10 years. You can also work with a financial advisor who can manage your assets for the future.

Factors That Contribute to Saving $1 Million

In order to save $1 million you’ll need to make sure you’re able to earn enough so that you can pay for your living expenses while saving that amount of money. There are a number of ways to go about accumulating that amount of money for the future, but here are some of the most important:

  • Your Income:The higher your regular income, the more money you’ll likely be able to save. Looking for ways to increase that income whether it be through getting a new job, starting a business or working on a side hustle is important in order to save money in a relatively short period of time.
  • Percent of Your Income That You Can Save:Saving for the long-term typically brings a recommendation of 10-15% of your income, but if you’re trying to go from $0 to $1 million in 10 years then you’ll likely need to increase that percentage. The exception is if you have a very large amount of income coming in every year.
  • Your Investments:The investments you choose will likely be key to accumulating additional wealth. You could put money into real estate and build value over many years or you could look to invest in historically riskier investments, such as the stock market and aim to accumulate wealth faster.
  • Your Annual Expenses:How much you spend plays a major factor in how much you save because the more you spend, the less money you have to invest or put away for the future.

How Much Money You Need to Save Per Month

In order to hit your goal of $1 million in 10 years, SmartAsset’ssavings 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%. If that amount isn’t doable with your income level then you’ll need to make riskier investments in order to hit your goal.

Here are some examples of how much you’ll need to save per month based on what your rate of return might be.

  • 3% Return: Save ~ $7,200 per month
  • 5% Return: Save~$6,500 per month
  • 7% Return:Save ~$5,900 per month
  • 10% Return:Save ~$5,000 per month

These numbers are just estimates based on a potential annualized return on your investments. Keep in mind that the market can fluctuate quite a bit and it could impact how much you’ll need to save so it’s important to maximize your savings every month if you want to get to $1 million as quickly as possible.

5 Steps for How to Save $1 Million in 10 years

How to Save a Million Dollars in 10 Years - SmartAsset (2)

In order to save $1 million in 10 years you’ll need to take all of the above factors into account and then create the right savings strategy that can help you get there. There are five steps that anyone can follow that will help get them down the right path toward the end goal, but the right method of saving to hit $1 million will depend on your own personal financial situation.

Step 1: Determine Your Appetite for Risk

Before beginning down this path of saving $1 million, it’s important to understand how you’re going to get there. Your appetite for risk can guide you because it provides how much of your money you’re willing to risk in order to maximize the potential return at any given time. The amount of risk you’re willing to stomach could be very different based on your age or how much money you have already saved.However, the more risk you’re willing to take on, the more potential return you may be able to earn if the market has a successful run.

Step 2: Build and Follow Your Investment Strategy

Once you have a good grasp on how much risk you’re willing to take on then you can create an investment strategy that aligns. The investment strategy will be your goal of reaching $1 million within a shorter time period than most save for retirement. You might want to invest in real estate if you’re looking for a slow and stable return while you might want to heavily invest in the stock market if you’re willing to take on more risk. Whatever you choose, the best investment strategies typically will have some level of balance throughout your portfolio.

Step 3: Make Regular Investment Contributions

If you’re going to accumulate $1 million that you save within 10 years then you’ll likely need to set money aside for investments on a regular basis. This will give you the money you need to buy assets so that they can grow over time. The more money you’re able to invest, with the right strategy, the more you’ll be able to have saved after a decade. A regular commitment is a key ingredient to building your wealth.

Step 4: Find Ways to Earn Extra Income

A great way to save more money is to make more money. Whether you can change jobs or take on another job, bringing in more income will make your goal easier to obtain. Many people consider a side hustle or extra project work in order to help fund their ambitious savings goals. Whatever you choose, looking at how you can accumulate more money for saving or investing can be a huge help.

Step 5: Save Money Where You Can

If you maximize how much you can earn and invest, then the next thing you can control is how much you’re spending. Cutting your expenses wherever you can save money that you can put away or invest to grow your total wealth. If you invest the amount of money that you save then the return on investment on cutting costs is much more than just the amount of money you don’t end up spending. This takes discipline and real effort in order to keep your costs as low as possible.

Where to Place Your Money Once You Reach $1,000,000

While the market is a great place to grow your wealth, it might not be the best place to save your $1 million once you build that much. The best practice is typically to have money in multiple accounts to diversify any potential risk. Here are some options available to help you save your money once you reach the $1 million mark:

  • High-yield savings accounts:A high-yield savings account is a safe place to put your money as it will sit with a large financial institution and you can get up to $250,000 protected by the FDIC. You’ll typically earn around 1% – 3% annually on your money, depending on the bank and account you chose. At time of writing, however, it was possible to find a high-yield savings account paying an annual percentage yield of 4.03%.
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs):A CD is a low-risk investment option with a low potential payout that provides a safe place to stash your money. You won’t have access to the funds for the duration of the CD’s term without paying a penalty. However, they do typically receive protection for the same amount as a savings account.
  • Money market accounts:A money market account is similar to a savings account but if you need to access the money more regularly then it could be a good option as it has some similar features to a checking account.
  • Treasury bonds:Treasury bonds can be held for up to 30 years and are backed by the government. The return is typically small in comparison to other types of investments, but they are generally safe.

Bottom Line

How to Save a Million Dollars in 10 Years - SmartAsset (3)

Saving $1 million can seem like a daunting task that requires a lot of navigation. The journey may create frustrations and you may need to exercise extreme discipline in order to hit that goal within 10 years. However, with the right strategy and execution hitting the $1 million in savings is something that can change your long-term financial outcome. If you’re not sure you can get there on your own then you can work with a professional to help create a plan or manage your assets for you.

Tips for Investing

  • Trying to analyze the market and figure out where the best place to invest your money can be hard, but working with a financial advisor can make it substantially easier. A financial advisor can help you make a long-term investment plan and even manage your assets for you. If you don’t have a financial advisor, finding one doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • As you’re looking at different investment options, it’s important to understand how each investment might impact your overall portfolio. You can use SmartAsset’sasset allocation calculator to see what the suggested portfolio breakdown would be to help you reach your $1 million goal.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/andresr, ©iStock.com/Jinda Noipho, ©iStock.com/Liliia Bila

Jeff White Jeff is a Writer/Editor for SmartAsset. He's an expert in a variety of personal finance topics, such as investing, banking and retirement. Jeff has received his JD and MBA and has been featured in a number of publications, such as Investopedia, The Street, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance and more. He currently resides in Utah with his wife and five children, where they cheer for the Denver Broncos and make it to the water to sail whenever given the chance.

How to Save a Million Dollars in 10 Years - SmartAsset (2024)

FAQs

How to Save a Million Dollars in 10 Years - SmartAsset? ›

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 much money do I have to save to be a millionaire in 10 years? ›

How to become a millionaire in 10 years
Account balanceCumulative amount invested
After seven years$615,937$447,413
After eight years$734,241$511,330
After nine years$862,010$575,246
After ten years$1,000,000$639,162
7 more rows
Apr 10, 2023

How much interest will I earn per month on $1 million dollars? ›

Bank Savings Accounts

As noted above, the average rate on savings accounts as of February 3rd 2021, is 0.05% APY. A million-dollar deposit with that APY would generate $500 of interest after one year ($1,000,000 X 0.0005 = $500). If left to compound monthly for 10 years, it would generate $5,011.27.

What is the best way to save a million dollars? ›

Tips for Saving $1 Million in 5 Years
  1. Capitalize on Compound Interest. ...
  2. Leverage Your Job. ...
  3. Establish Daily, Weekly and Monthly Savings Goals. ...
  4. Identify Ways to Increase Your Income. ...
  5. Find Simple Investments to Grow Your Money. ...
  6. Cut Expenses.
Mar 20, 2023

How much to save $100,000 in 5 years? ›

If you can afford to put away $1,400 per month, you could potentially save your first $100k in just 5 years. If that's too much, aim for even half that (or whatever you can). Thanks to compound interest, just $700 per month could become $100k in 9 years.

How to save $1 million 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 many people have $3,000,000 in savings? ›

1,821,745 Households in the United States Have Investment Portfolios Worth $3,000,000 or More.

Can you live off interest of 2 million dollars? ›

At $200,000 per year in average returns, this is more than enough for all but the highest spenders to live comfortably. You can collect your returns, pay your capital gains taxes and have plenty left over for a comfortable lifestyle. The bad news about an index fund is the variability.

Can you live off the 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.

Where do millionaires keep their money? ›

Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills. They keep rolling them over to reinvest them, and liquidate them when they need the cash.

How many people have $1000000 in savings? ›

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings.

What is the smartest thing to do with a million dollars? ›

Pay off debt

With a million dollars, you could do a lot of things, but one of the smartest is to pay off your debts -- especially those with high interest rates. Your credit card debt, student loans, and mortgage could all be completely paid off, along with any other debts you owe.

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

A recent analysis determined that a $1 million retirement nest egg may only last about 20 years depending on what state you live in. Based on this, if you retire at age 65 and live until you turn 84, $1 million will probably be enough retirement savings for you.

At what age should you have 100K saved? ›

According to a new Bank of America survey, 16 percent of millennials — which BoA defined as those between age 23 and 37 — now have $100,000 or more in savings. That's pretty good, considering that by age 30, you should aim to have the equivalent of your annual salary saved.

How to save $1000000 in 20 years? ›

If you wait until retirement is 20 years away, you will need to save $1,382 per month to hit the million-dollar mark, assuming a 10% return. At 6% you will need to save $2,195 per month!

Why is the first $100,000 the hardest? ›

Saving Your First Million

7.84 years… to earn just the first $100K. That means you earned 4 times as much ($400K instead of $100K) in less time toward the end. Again, this is why Charlie Munger says the first $100K is the hardest and why you really need to do whatever it takes to get to that first $100K.

Can I retire on $2 million at 65? ›

Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. The answer depends on your personal situation and there are lot of challenges you'll face. As of 2023, it seems the number of obstacles to a successful retirement continues to grow.

How much will $200 K be worth in 10 years? ›

After 10 years: $96,049.

Will $10 million dollars last a lifetime? ›

Simply put, most people should have no problem retiring at 30 with $10 million. If you invest your money and earn a modest return, $10 million should be enough to retire and never have to work again. Of course, that doesn't mean that running out of money would be impossible.

What salary is considered wealthy? ›

Based on that figure, an annual income of $500,000 or more would make you rich. The Economic Policy Institute uses a different baseline to determine who constitutes the top 1% and the top 5%. For 2021, you're in the top 1% if you earn $819,324 or more each year. The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year.

Can I retire at 45 with $3 million dollars? ›

Retiring at age 45 with $3 million is quite feasible if you already have the money and your post-retirement income needs are not excessive. Accumulating that much money in time for such an early retirement will likely be challenging.

Can I retire at 60 with $3 million dollars? ›

Yes, you can retire at 60 with three million dollars. At age 60, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $183,000 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.

Can a couple retire at 55 with $2 million dollars? ›

It probably is possible for most people to retire at age 55 if they have $2.5 million in savings. The ultimate answer, though, will depend on the interplay between various factors. These include your health, your anticipated retirement lifestyle and expenses, and how you invest your nest egg.

Can I retire at age 50 with $1 million dollars? ›

Can I retire at 50 with $1 million? You can retire at 50 if you have saved one million dollars. You will get a guaranteed income of $53,750 each year, starting immediately for the rest of your life. The income amount will stay the same and never decrease.

Can I retire with $3 million at 55? ›

If you're retiring at 55 instead of 66, you have 11 extra years of expenses and 11 fewer years of income that your savings will need to cover. The good news: As long as you plan carefully, $3 million should be a comfortable amount to retire on at 55.

What is the average 401k balance for a 65 year old? ›

Average and median 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage Account BalanceMedian Account Balance
35-44$97,020$36,117
45-54$179,200$61,530
55-64$256,244$89,716
65+$279,997$87,725
2 more rows
Jan 20, 2023

How to retire at 60 with no money? ›

How to Retire With No Money: A Guide to a Frugal Retirement
  1. Assess Your Financial Situation.
  2. Embrace Frugality.
  3. Maximize Your Income Sources.
  4. Part-time Job or Side Hustle.
  5. Rent Out a Spare Room on Airbnb.
  6. Sell Items You No Longer Need.
  7. Apply for Government Benefits.
  8. Invest in Dividend-Paying Stocks or Rental Properties.

Can I retire at 60 with $1 million dollars? ›

So, can you retire at 60 with $1 million, and what would that look like? It's certainly possible to retire comfortably in this scenario. But it's wise to review your spending needs, taxes, health care, and other factors as you prepare for your retirement years.

What bank do millionaires use? ›

Citi Private Bank is the private banking department of Citibank. Their services are reserved for worldly and wealthy individuals as well as their families. While eligible clients can get deposit accounts and retirement accounts as you'd find at any other bank, there are also many specialized products and services.

How do 90% of millionaires make their money? ›

“90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.

Can you keep millions in the bank? ›

Can You Keep Millions in the Bank? Keeping large amounts of money in a bank can be tricky, but it is possible. There are limits to the amount of money that is insured for each depositor at a bank — up to $250,000 per depositor with the FDIC — so the super wealthy often spread out their accounts over multiple banks.

How much do most people retire with? ›

The Federal Reserve's most recent data reveals that the average American has $65,000 in retirement savings. By their retirement age, the average is estimated to be $255,200.

How many Americans have $300,000 in savings? ›

On the positive side, some 16% of the people surveyed said they have $300,000 or more set aside for retirement. And 10% say they have between $200,000 and $300,000.

What percentage of Americans have $100000 in the bank? ›

Most Americans are not saving enough for retirement. According to the survey, only 14% of Americans have $100,000 or more saved in their retirement accounts. In fact, about 78% of Americans have $50,000 or less saved for retirement.

What is the average age to make a million? ›

How old is the average millionaire? The average millionaire is 57 years old. This is because it takes smart financial decisions, hard work, and wise investments to become a millionaire, most of which don't fully pay off until around the age of 50 or 60.

What is the average return on a million dollar investment? ›

The amount of interest that 1 million dollars can earn per year depends on the interest rate, which can vary depending on the type of investment. Assuming a conservative average interest rate of 1%, a 1 million dollar investment could potentially earn approximately $10,000 per year in interest income.

What does a million dollars in cash look like? ›

Ten thousand $100 bills equals $1 million (10,000 x $100 = $1,000,000). The height of a stack of 1,000 one dollar bills measures 4.3 inches.

What is the average Social Security check? ›

Average Social Security retirement benefits in 2023

Average payments for all retirees enrolled in the Social Security program increased to approximately $1,827, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Can you retire on a million dollars and Social Security? ›

It's definitely possible, but there are several factors to consider—including cost of living, the taxes you'll owe on your withdrawals, and how you want to live in retirement—when thinking about how much money you'll need to retire in the future.

What is a good monthly retirement income? ›

According to data from the BLS, average incomes in 2021 after taxes were as follows for older households: 65-74 years: $59,872 per year or $4,989 per month. 75 and older: $43,217 per year or $3,601 per month.

What percent of people max out their 401k? ›

Employees 50 and older can contribute an extra $7,500, up from $6,500 in 2022. In 2021, roughly 14% of investors maxed out employee deferrals, according to 2022 estimates from Vanguard, based on 1,700 plans and nearly 5 million participants.

How much does the average 50 year old have in 401k? ›

Average 401(k) balance by age
AgeAverage 401(k) account balance
35 to 44$63,800
45 to 54$128,700
55 to 64$189,800
65+$203,000
2 more rows
Dec 22, 2022

How much cash should I have in savings? ›

A long-standing rule of thumb for emergency funds is to set aside three to six months' worth of expenses. So, if your monthly expenses are $3,000, you'd need an emergency fund of $9,000 to $18,000 following this rule.

What's the fastest way to save a million dollars? ›

In this article:
  1. Automate Your Savings.
  2. Start Early.
  3. Make a Budget and Stick to It.
  4. Eliminate High-Interest Credit Card Debt.
  5. Consider a Side Gig.
  6. Don't Tap Into Your Savings Early.
  7. Consistency Is Key.
Jan 7, 2022

Is 1.5 million enough to retire at 55? ›

Can You Retire With $1.5 Million at 55? If you have $1.5 million saved up and want to retire at 55, this may be enough for you. The reality is that it all depends on your withdrawal rate — the amount of money you consistently take out of your accounts to support yourself — and how long you live.

How to turn $25,000 into a million? ›

Based on an investment of $25,000 today, it'd take a return of 13.08% per year to transform into $1 million in 30 years. If you require a shorter time to grow your investments, you'll need a higher return to arrive at $1 million sooner.

Do 90% of millionaires make over $100000 a year? ›

And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn't equal a sky-high salary. “Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”

What is the top 1% in money? ›

Top 1% income threshold: $551,004
  • Top 1% income threshold: $551,004.
  • Top 5% income threshold: $246,539.
Jan 24, 2023

How much money does the top 1% have us? ›

According to Credit Suisse, individuals with more than $1 million in wealth sit in the top 1 percent bracket. The billionaire class is $2.6 trillion richer than before the pandemic, even if billionaire fortunes slightly fell in 2022 after their record-smashing peak in 2021.

How to make $10 million in 10 years? ›

Bottom Line:
  1. Keep it simple.
  2. Invest $540,000 per year, every year, for 10 years.
  3. Invest for Growth.
  4. Invest with Conviction.
  5. Use market volatility to your advantage.
  6. Get started right away. On your own or with a professional advisor by your side.
Mar 17, 2022

How much to save $100,000 in 10 years? ›

Our findings. We determined that if an investor achieves a 3% annual return on his or her assets, he or she would need to invest $710 each month for ten years to reach $100,000 with a $1,000 beginning amount. By the year 2031, the investment would be worth a total of $100,566.

What if I invest $10,000 a month for 10 years? ›

If an investor invested Rs. 10,000 as SIP for a decade, the total return would be Rs. 21.66 lacs.

What if I invest $20,000 a month for 10 years? ›

By investing Rs 20,000 every month, you can accumulate a corpus of Rs 45 lakh in 10 years and Rs 1.84 crore in 20 years, assuming a return of 12 per cent.

How long does it take to turn $100 000 into a million? ›

Let your money sit for 25 years

If you're earning a 10% average annual rate of return (which is the stock market's historical average), it will take approximately 25 years to go from $100,000 to $1 million. But if you're earning slightly lower returns, it will take longer.

What percentage of US population has $10 million dollars? ›

Around 1,456,336 households in America have $10 million or more in net worth. That's 1.13% of American households.

Is $10 million enough to retire at 50? ›

While $10 million is a lot of money, retiring at 50 means you can plan on approximately 40 years of retirement if you expect to live to around the average age. Even if nothing catastrophic happens to you or the economy in the meantime, inflation alone can make a dent in what you can expect from your savings.

Can I retire at 40 with $2 million dollars? ›

Retiring at 40 with $2 million is possible, though it is a lofty goal, especially if you don't have a large inheritance or some other windfall. But it can be done if your income is high sufficient and if you are aggressive with your savings strategy.

Can I retire at 60 with $2 million dollars? ›

Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. The answer depends on your personal situation and there are lot of challenges you'll face. As of 2023, it seems the number of obstacles to a successful retirement continues to grow.

Can I retire at 60 with 100K? ›

According to the 4% rule, if you retired with $100,000 in savings, you could withdraw just about $4,000 per year in retirement. It's nearly impossible for anyone to survive on $4,000 per year, but the majority of retirees will also be entitled to Social Security benefits.

What if I invest $600 a month for 10 years? ›

If you'd invested $600 in a lump sum and allowed it to grow for 10 years at 10.3% a year, you'd have almost exactly $1,600. Stock market returns are never guaranteed, of course. But the longer your holding period is, the higher your odds of success are.

How much is $10 a week for a year? ›

$10 weekly is how much per year? If you make $10 per week, your Yearly salary would be $520.

What if I invest $300 a month for 5 years? ›

But if you wait even five years to start saving that $300 a month, you'll end up with roughly $719,000, instead. To be clear, that's still a respectable amount of savings to kick off retirement with. But let's face it -- it's not $1 million.

What is the smartest way to invest 20K? ›

4 ways to invest 20K
  • Max out your retirement accounts. It's never too early — or late — to plan for retirement. ...
  • Let a robo-advisor do the work. So you've got your retirement accounts maxed, but you want someone to manage that money? ...
  • Consider a brokerage account. ...
  • Align your investments with your values.
Apr 27, 2023

How much will $10 000 be worth in 30 years? ›

Over the years, that money can really add up: If you kept that money in a retirement account over 30 years and earned that average 6% return, for example, your $10,000 would grow to more than $57,000.

What if I invest $500 a month for 15 years? ›

Invest $500 a month for 15 years and get to $250,000

Saving $500 per month equates to $6,000 a year and $90,000 in 15 years. Investing your savings in the stock market will grow that little fortune into big fortune. Normally, investors can get long-term market returns of about 7% from the TSX index.

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