<prompt> Human: I hate to ask this because I know many people feel that you should investsave 50-75 of your income, live in a shack and keep sinking money into a 1995 sunfire. But realistically, what is a good realistic target to save every year? I did a budget forcast and it is coming in between 8-12 of my income I can save per year. Our monthly expenses eat up anywhere from 92-105 of our base salary some bills are quarterly but luckily we both get bonuses mine quarterly hers monthly. We consolidated credit card debt into a loan we were burning 1kmonth when wife lost her job. Weve gotten our expenses down as low as possible. Our cars 2015 2018 insurance are about 18 of our net base salary. Sadly, I am not saving for retirement only because my work does not offer it yet, it will be part of my negotiation next year 5 increase in pay and a 6 match.x200B;But is 8-12 assuming I am investing 6 match a decent place to be at? Sadly, 30 of my income would be 6 months work of bills. So it will take 3 years to get a 6 month emergency fund together. But my wifes car is paid off in about 2 years mine 5 sadly and the loan is paid off in 5. House still has 28 years also new, built in 2016.  <response>: 10-15 is good for general savings. but to me, that means savings for new cars, vacations, and other short term goals after youre already saving a minimum of 10 for retirement. but those cars jump out at me. a 2018 car, when someone just lost a job recently? huh? youre creating a false choice: there are more options than dump money into 23 year old car and buy brand-new car. Sadly, I am not saving for retirement only because my work does not offer it yet,you can open retirement plans outside your job. So it will take 3 years to get a 6 month emergency fund together.thats because youre unwilling to sacrifice short-term comfort to hit long-term goals. an emergency fund Our monthly expenses eat up anywhere from 92-105 of our base salaryyou need to dramatically cut expenses. I dont know if that means something radical like selling the house because the payment is 50 of after-tax income or just garden-variety overspending on eating out. but those numbers simply do not work. you need to make cuts, 