Definition

A sum of money saved or invested for a specific purpose, usually for retirement, emergencies, or a major future goal. The term suggests a cushion of financial security that one preserves and allows to grow over time.

Example Usage

She had been building a nest egg for years so she could retire early and travel around the world.

Origin

From the practice of placing a real egg in a bird's nest to encourage it to lay more eggs; metaphorically applied to savings in the 18th century.

Fun Fact

Financial advisors often recommend that individuals maintain a nest egg equal to 3–6 months of living expenses as an emergency fund.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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