risparmio

Risparmio is the Italian term for saving or economizing. It denotes the act of setting aside money or resources for future use and can apply to financial, material, or temporal resources. The word derives from risparmiare, meaning to spare or conserve, and in everyday language it covers both personal budgeting and broader economic behavior.

In economics, saving is the portion of income not spent on current consumption. It can be private (household and corporate) or public (government). The saving rate is the ratio of saving to income, often disposable income. In macroeconomic terms, national saving equals investment in a closed economy, linking thrift to capital formation. A higher saving rate can support future investment but may reduce current demand, a notion related to the paradox of thrift. Private savings depend on income, interest rates, tax treatment, and expectations; public saving depends on fiscal policy, deficits or surpluses.

Risparmio is also used beyond money, notably risparmio energetico, or energy saving, which refers to reducing energy use and emissions through efficiency improvements, insulation, efficient appliances, and conservation measures. It is a central idea in environmental policy and cost-management strategies.

In everyday life, risparmio encompasses budgeting and prudent financial management. The term also appears in institutional contexts, such as savings banks (casse di risparmio), historically mobilizing household deposits and promoting thrift. Overall, risparmio connects personal finance, national economic performance, and resource efficiency.