säästää

Säästö is a Finnish noun meaning savings, thrift, or conservation. The word derives from the verb säästää, meaning to save, economize, or spare. In Finnish, säästö can refer to money saved as well as the broader idea of conserving resources or reducing consumption.

In economics and everyday language, säästö often denotes the portion of income not spent on current consumption, i.e., personal or household savings. It is also used in compounds to denote cost savings (kustannussäästöt), energy efficiency measures (energian säästö), and other conservation efforts (vesi- tai materiaalisäästöt). Säästötili refers to a savings account, and säästövarat to saved funds or reserves. In public policy, säästöt can describe budget reductions or efficiency savings implemented by governments or organizations.

Säästö as a concept is central to personal finance, corporate planning, and national economies, where saving behavior can influence interest rates, investment, and growth. In addition to monetary savings, the term underlines conservation aims in energy, environment, and natural resources management.

See also: savings; thrift; energy efficiency; budget cuts.