401k

Retirement may seem like a long ways off, but investing early in life will make a huge difference later.

If your company offers a 401(k) plan, you should definitely participate as much as you can afford. Most employers offering some kind of matching contribution usually up to 6 percent of your salary. If your company pays 50 cents for every dollar you invest, it’s as though you’re getting a 3 percent raise. And since all your contributions are pre-tax, you’re essentially getting free money!

Even if you can only save as little as $100 per paycheck, you should participate. As a simple guide — for every $1,000 you put into your 401(k), you’ll save about $300 on your taxes.

Take action today and start saving towards a better financial future for yourself.