There is one simple thing you can do to set yourself up for financial success: save money. If you are fortunate enough to have a job that offers a retirement plan then use it. If you are super lucky and they match your contribution then take advantage of it. Free money? YES. Raise your contribution level to the maximum match and don't think twice. That's a heck of an offer and it's too good to pass up.
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Make a budget and find room to tuck a bit more into your retirement. There is no way that passing up free money is a bad idea, especially when you think of the interest accrual. One in four employees doesn't take the match and that is insane. Truly bonkers. Companies left $24 billion on the table last year. BILLION. LAST YEAR. Bonkers.
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The most common employer match structure is a dollar-for-dollar contribution up to 6%.
Considering the average employee salary is about $52,000 and that 401k deductions are taken before taxes, you could be socking away more than $3,000 in free money. If you only ever made that tiny, minimum contribution every year you would have $500,000 saved in 30 years.
That is a huge amount of money for just setting aside $60 per week.
If you're not sure how to sign up for your company retirement plan, contact someone in your HR department to help you get started.