Savings
How much should you save per month?
December 22, 20252 min read
savings
budget
disposable income
A good rule of thumb is 10-20% of net salary for savings. Prioritize emergency savings equal to 3-6 months of fixed expenses first. Then pension and investment. The most important thing is to start, even 500 DKK/month makes a difference over time.
Rules of thumb for saving
Here are the most commonly used guidelines:
- 10-15% of net salary for long-term savings (pension, housing)
- 5-10% for emergency savings until you have 3-6 months of expenses
- 50/30/20 rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings
Prioritize emergency savings first
Before investment and pension, you should have 3-6 months of fixed expenses set aside. With 15,000 DKK/month in expenses, that means 45,000-90,000 DKK. Even 1,000 DKK/month gives 45,000 DKK in under 4 years.
Frequently asked questions
- What if I can't save? Start small. Automate a fixed transfer of 200-500 DKK the same day as salary arrives. You'll quickly get used to living on the rest.
- Should I pay off debt before saving? Yes, expensive debt (consumer loans, credit cards) first. But keep a minimal buffer for unexpected expenses.
- How do I know how much I can afford to save? Know your disposable income first. Upload your bank statements in Reelt and see exactly what you have left after fixed expenses.
