When is a good time to start saving for your retirement? Now. That’s the simple answer, and the steps you need to take to build up a sizeable nest egg are fairly simple but require diligence and an ability to resist temptation.
Start Saving Now
It doesn’t matter if you are sixteen or sixty, it is never too late to start building a retirement portfolio. The longer you save, the more cash you will have available to you after your working days are done. Even a simple savings account works on compound interest. The bank pays you a little bit of interest on your principal, and during the next cycle, that interest becomes part of your principal balance. The money the bank paid you is now earning its own money. Over time, this can translate into thousands of dollars.
Set Up Auto-Savings Account
It’s not enough to simply put fifty dollars in a jar. You need to constantly add to your retirement savings account. If you are young and just earning a couple hundred a week, start by putting just ten dollars into that account with an automatic withdrawal set up with your bank. That way you won’t forget to do it and won’t be tempted to spend that cash. As time goes by and your income grows, increase the amount of your weekly savings. Setting aside 5% of your income for retirement is a good starting point.
Use Your Company’s 401K Plan
If you work for a company that offers an employee retirement plan like a 401K, make sure to sign up for this lucrative benefit. You don’t have to pay any fees and often employers will match your weekly savings up to a certain amount, which translates into more free money in your account. A 401K is a tax-deferred retirement account that has the ability to buy stocks and mutual funds on the stock market, and places dividends and earnings from the sale of those stocks into your account. You will not pay tax on the amount you invest in this account now, but will pay when you start taking money out during your retirement.
You will want to review which funds and stocks are available in your 401K and tell your fund manager which ones you wish to participate in. You will need to conduct some maintenance on this account over the years as you may be willing to take larger risks when you are younger and invest more heavily in guaranteed bonds as you approach your retirement. Even a modest investment in a 401K beginning at the age of 25 can result in a sizeable nest egg over a forty of fifty year period.
Invest in Property
Real estate remains a fairly reliable means of building wealth, as most properties increase in value over time. Whether you buy a house to live in or invest in a larger property with the intent of renting out apartments, it will continue to build equity as you work to pay off your mortgage over time. Sort of like a savings account that you live in, some day you will actually own a building that can help you enjoy your golden years in comfort and security. Of course, buying a home requires a significant initial investment and a good credit score in order to get approved for a mortgage.
Improve Your Credit Rating
A good credit score can result in large savings in money over time. People who have good credit tend to see lower APR’s on their loans resulting in less interest paid over the life of the loan. In some cases, this could be thousands of dollars less spent on the same loan. A good way to improve your credit rating is to be diligent about paying off your bills.
Even if you have had struggles with your credit in the past, you can start by looking into a car title loan from 1(800)Car – Title® in order to finance new furniture, pay for car repairs or a new dishwasher. When you make regular payments on time and fulfill the requirements of your car-title loan, you could earn a positive mark on your credit report, which may help you build a better credit score.
Once your credit score has improved, all sorts of opportunities will open up. You may become eligible for that new job, get approved for a mortgage, and be able to start building up your retirement nest egg through consistent and smart investment strategy. There’s no time like the present to start planning for your future.