Retirement is not something we think about in our 20s, but as time goes by it creeps into on our minds. If you’ve finally reached that point when you want to make sure your silver years will be lived in peace and relaxation, it’s time to address the elephant in the room.
You probably already have a savings plan for retirement (if not, get one) but you may be surprised to learn that this is not enough. In fact, you can even calculate how long your money will last in retirement, to get a different perspective.
But even if you managed to secure the best plan, it’s still good practice to have different streams of income fueling your account. For this, we had a chat with several financial experts and learned several saving tips that can help you boost the amount of money you already set aside.
Start Today
As we already stated, young people don’t like to think about the end-of-life period. While this is normal, when it comes to retirement, the earlier you start, the better you’ll be when you actually need the money. It doesn’t matter how much you can save, even if it’s a small amount, it will add up in time.
So, stop postponing the idea and actually start saving. If you manage to save and invest, the compound interest will work in your favor.
Also, it’s best to automate the process (have the bank transfer the funds automatically) – this way, you won’t have to decide if you’re saving or not on a monthly basis.
Cultivate the Habit of Saving
We don’t have a natural talent when it comes to saving. In fact, our brain is wired to think short-term and favors the immediate reward over delayed gratification. This is why it’s easy to get addicted to something that makes you feel good and it’s extremely difficult to let it go,
So, you need to learn how to make saving a habit. It can be difficult at first, but in time, you’ll start feeling good about this (especially when you get to see the amount increase). You can try some tools or apps but even old school Excel will work well (check these templates for example). Moreover, if you do it often enough, it becomes a mindset and you’ll no longer have negative thoughts about this.
Open an IRA
People who live and work in the U.S. have the option to open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). There are several types of IRA accounts, and you need to do some research in order to understand which one is best for your current and future needs.
However, if you can afford it, this is very similar to a standard savings account but with big tax breaks. This makes it the ideal way to add to your retirement money without digging too deep into your monthly paycheck.
Now, if you’re not in the US, check with your national retirement authority and ask if there is a similar option.
The Wrap
The list of tips could go on, but each country or state has its own limitations and incentives, so it’s best to do research at a local level. However, as long as you start early and make a constant habit out of it, you will manage to get a good amount for your silver years!
