Example output
Based on the information provided, here is a potential savings plan for this person:
1. Create an emergency fund: Before starting to save for any long-term goals, it's important to have a cushion in case of unexpected expenses or income loss. As a rule of thumb, 3-6 months' worth of expenses should be saved in an easily accessible savings account. For this person, that would be $2,400.
2. Pay off high-interest debt: While this person has a substantial amount of debt, it's important to focus on paying off high-interest debt first. Assuming the interest rate on their debt is around 5%, they should aim to pay off around $2,100 of their debt each year while still making minimum payments on the rest.
3. Contribute to a 401(k) or other retirement account: If the person's company offers a 401(k) plan, they should aim to contribute at least enough to receive the full employer match. This is essentially free money and will help their retirement savings grow faster. If a 401(k) is not available, they can consider opening an IRA or Roth IRA and contribute up to $6,000 per year.
4. Save for a down payment on the house: Since their goal is to finish paying off their house as soon as possible, it's important to start saving for a down payment. Assuming they need to save around 20% of the house value ($60,000), they should aim to save $500 per month.
5. Invest in low-risk assets: Based on their risk tolerance, it's important to invest in assets that are less volatile and lower risk. This could include a mix of bonds, CDs, and/or a money market account. These types of investments won't yield high returns, but they are less likely to lose value.
Overall, the savings plan for this person would look like this:
-Emergency fund: $2,400
-High-interest debt payoff: $2,100 per year
-Retirement contributions: at least the employer match or up to $6,000 per year
-Down payment savings: $500 per month
-Low-risk investments: allocate a portion of savings to these types of investments