SMALL
CHANGES FOR BIG RESULTS

Topics: Christian Life; Investments; Small Things; Spiritual Disciplines; Spiritual Formation; Stewardship

References: Matthew 10:42; 12:36–37; 25:21; 2 Corinthians 7:1

Making a few small changes can make a big difference in your savings and retirement. For example:

•     Giving up potato chips with lunch could save you $176.80 a year and generate retirement savings of $10,483.62 in twenty years, assuming a 10 percent return.

•     Giving up two doughnuts a week could boost your nest egg by $6,552.26 in two decades. Switch from double lattes with whipped cream to regular coffee, and you could save $429 per year—a whopping $27,028.07 at 10 percent over twenty years.

•     Dropping the potato chips would also eliminate close to 10,000 calories per year. Skipping the cream cheese on a bagel would toss 54,000 calories a year from your diet and save $117—or $7,371.29 over a twenty-year investment period.

That’s according to Bryan Olson of the Schwab Center for Investment Research, who gathered the data to stress the proven investment strategy that regular investments, even in small amounts, will make a big difference in savings and retirement.

All the positive steps you take, even the smallest ones, make a significant difference over time.

—Rubel Shelly, “Small Changes Net Big Rewards,” PreachingToday.com