Money Americans consider $19,800 a life-changing amount of money. How to save that on your own. March 17, 2019 Maurie Backman, The Motley Fool Comments Off on Americans consider $19,800 a life-changing amount of money. How to save that on your own. Many people dream of winning the lottery and taking home millions. But in reality, it takes a lot less money than that to change your life.