--- title: "Saving vs. Investing: Which should you prioritize?" description: Learn about where saving or investing is the right decision to make for your current financial situation. image: https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/Saving%20vs%20investing.jpg --- #003B49 [![AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1.png?width=199&height=50&name=AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1.png "AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1")](https://www.accesscu.ca/) Open main menu Close main menu [Investing](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/investing) [Saving](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/saving) [Tips & Advice](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) # Saving vs. Investing: Which should you prioritize? ![Access Credit Union](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Access_LogoMark.jpg?width=45&name=Access_LogoMark.jpg) [Access Credit Union](https://blog.accesscu.ca/author/access-credit-union) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.accesscu.ca/saving-vs.-investing-which-should-you-prioritize) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.accesscu.ca/saving-vs.-investing-which-should-you-prioritize) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.accesscu.ca/saving-vs.-investing-which-should-you-prioritize) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/Saving%20vs%20investing.jpg) When trying to get ahead, lots of people ask themselves, “Should I save my money or invest it”. The answer? It depends on your current financial situation and goals. - **Start with saving.** Savings are your safety net. Before diving into the stock market or other investments, it’s wise to build an emergency fund. Emergency funds should ideally contain three to six months of living expenses to protect you from unexpected bills or job loss. Some savings accounts, such as a TFSA, are low-risk and tax-free, but they typically yield minimal returns. That’s why savings are ideal for short-term goals, for example: vacations, car repairs, or a down payment. - **When to invest. **Once your emergency fund is good to go, investing should come next. Investments – like stocks, bonds, or real estate – offer higher potential returns but with added risk. They’re best suited for long-term goals such as retirement, college funds, or wealth building. The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow through compound interest. Even small, consistent contributions can lead to significant gains over time. - **Talk to an expert. **When it comes to your money, you don’t want to learn the hard way. For more information on financial planning, setting up a TFSA account, or other investments, talk to one of experts! [Book an appointment online](https://accesscu.coconutcalendar.com/service?_gl=1*yd9rvn*_gcl_au*MTQzNjc3MzM4Ni4xNzUxODk3OTA3*_ga*MTgyNzU1Nzk3Ny4xNjcyOTM3MzE2*_ga_GN8XN3S366*czE3NTgxMzg2MzkkbzE5MDYkZzEkdDE3NTgxMzg2NDQkajU1JGwwJGg2MzE3NTk1ODQ.) to get started! ## Related Articles [![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/Five%20good%20habits%20of%20successful%20investors.jpg)](https://blog.accesscu.ca/five-good-habits-of-successful-investors) [Investing](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/investing) [Retirement Savings](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/retirement-savings) ### [Five Good Habits of Successful Investors](https://blog.accesscu.ca/five-good-habits-of-successful-investors) "We are what we repeatedly do," said Aristotle. "Excellence comes not from our actions but from our habits." Good habits can help you be a better investor, and these... ![Access Credit Union](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Access_LogoMark.jpg?width=45&name=Access_LogoMark.jpg) [Access Credit Union](https://blog.accesscu.ca/author/access-credit-union) [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/five-good-habits-of-successful-investors) [![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/Nine%20activities%20to%20do%20for%20free.jpg)](https://blog.accesscu.ca/saving-money-here-are-nine-activities-you-can-do-for-free) [Saving](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/saving) [Tips & Advice](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) [Budgeting](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/budgeting) ### [Saving Money? Here are Nine Activities You Can Do for Free!](https://blog.accesscu.ca/saving-money-here-are-nine-activities-you-can-do-for-free) Saving money can be difficult these days. There are seemingly endless places where you can spend your money, but what can you do for free? ![Access Credit Union](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Access_LogoMark.jpg?width=45&name=Access_LogoMark.jpg) [Access Credit Union](https://blog.accesscu.ca/author/access-credit-union) [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/saving-money-here-are-nine-activities-you-can-do-for-free) #### Connect with Access Credit Union Follow Access Credit Union on social media for financial advice and news from our member community.  [![facebookwhite_64x64](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/facebookwhite_64x64.png?width=45&height=45&name=facebookwhite_64x64.png)    ](https://www.facebook.com/AccessCreditUnion) [![linkedin](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin-6-64.png?width=45&name=linkedin-6-64.png)       ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-credit-union)[![instagramwhite_64x64](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/instagramwhite_64x64.png?width=45&height=45&name=instagramwhite_64x64.png)](https://www.instagram.com/accesscreditunion/)