The Uncomfortable Number: Am I Saving Enough for the Future?

“Am I saving enough?”

It’s one of the most common questions in financial planning, whether you’re a business owner, a high earner, or someone simply trying to make sensible long-term decisions.

And the honest answer is this:

Even with a well-structured financial plan, there is always some uncertainty.

Markets move. Life changes. Priorities shift.

But there is a principle that sits underneath all good financial planning, and it’s often overlooked.

The amount you need to save will rarely feel comfortable.

Why “Comfortable” Saving Often Falls Short

Most people understand the basics of investing.

• Save consistently.

• Invest for the long term.

• Let compounding do the heavy lifting.

Simple in theory.

But in practice, many people anchor their savings around what feels easy today, not what is required for long term financial independence.

That is where things start to drift.

If your monthly saving or investing feels effortless, there is a risk you are underestimating what your future lifestyle may require.

Not because you are doing anything wrong, but because your “present self” is naturally biased towards comfort.

The Trade-Off: Present You vs Future You

Every financial decision is a trade-off between:

• Present lifestyle and flexibility

• Future security and optionality

Behavioural finance research consistently shows that we place more value on immediate rewards than future outcomes.

In simple terms, we prioritise today over tomorrow.

This is why the “right” savings rate often feels slightly uncomfortable.

It creates tension.

You might hesitate before a large purchase. You may think twice about increasing your lifestyle costs. You become more intentional with spending decisions.

That tension is not a flaw.

It is often a sign that you are doing the real work.

The “Uncomfortable Number” in Financial Planning

You will often see rules of thumb:

• Save 10 to 15 percent of income

• Increase to 20 percent if you started later

• Invest bonuses rather than spend them

• Allocate some of your promotion pay rise to your retirement savings

These are useful starting points, especially for building good habits.

But real financial planning goes further. And it doesn’t start with “how much are my peers saving?” or “how do I compare with other people my age?”.

It looks at:

• Your current assets and income

• Your future goals and lifestyle expectations

• Tax efficiency and structure

• Timeframes and flexibility

From there, you arrive at a number that is personal to you.

And in many cases, that number has a common characteristic.

It feels slightly uncomfortable, but still sustainable.

Where the Sweet Spot Actually Sits

There are three broad zones when it comes to saving and investing:

1. Comfortable

Easy to maintain, little impact on lifestyle

Often not enough to build meaningful long-term wealth

2. Uncomfortable but sustainable

Requires intention and occasional trade-offs

Creates progress without breaking the plan

3. Unsustainable

Too aggressive

Likely to fail when life inevitably gets in the way

The middle ground is where effective financial planning tends to sit.

Not extreme.

Not effortless.

But deliberate.

This Applies Beyond Just Saving

This idea shows up across many areas of financial planning:

• Emergency funds that feel slightly larger than necessary

• Investment strategies that require patience through market ups and downs

• Spending decisions where there is some friction, not impulse

• Career moves that feel uncertain before they improve long term income

Growth, in most areas of life, rarely feels comfortable at the time.

Why Your Number Matters for High Earners and Business Owners

For high earning professionals and business owners, this becomes even more important.

Higher income often leads to higher spending.

Without structure, lifestyle can expand just as quickly as earnings.

This is where the “uncomfortable number” becomes valuable:

• It helps maintain a gap between what you earn and what you spend

• It supports long term wealth building and financial independence

• It creates flexibility around future choices, including retirement or exiting a business

The goal is not restriction.

It is control.

An Ongoing Adjustment, Not a One-Off Decision

Your number is not fixed.

As income grows, expenses change, and goals evolve, your plan should adapt.

In many cases, the most effective approach is simple:

Each increase in income is an opportunity to increase future security, not just current lifestyle.

Small, consistent adjustments over time can have a significant long-term impact. It can help you reach your financial independence.

A Final Thought

If everything in your financial life feels easy, it may be worth pausing and asking why.

Progress often sits just beyond comfort.

Not in extremes, but in small, deliberate stretches over time.

Have you found your “uncomfortable number”?

And more importantly, are you sticking to it?

If you’d like to explore how this applies to your own situation, or sense-check whether you’re on track, it may be worth having conversation and we’d be happy to help so do reach out.

This article is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice or a recommendation to take any specific action.

Financial planning, savings and investment decisions should always be considered in the context of your individual circumstances, objectives and attitude to risk.

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. The availability and value of tax reliefs are not guaranteed.

Any reference to saving rates, investment strategies or financial planning approaches are illustrative only and may not be suitable for everyone.

If you are unsure about your financial position or the suitability of any strategy, you should consider seeking personalised financial advice.