By: kjmena

Retirement might seem like it’s a long way away but it actually isn’t that long when you think about it money wise. If you wait too long to start saving, you might end up with no money or not enough money to retire and will have to continue working into your old age.

Having a savings plan or a retirement fund at an early age is important but also necessary if you want to enjoy your elderly years without financial stress.

Start Now

Each day counts when it comes to putting away money for retirement because you can never get time back. Keeping in mind that once you retire, you will be living on a fixed income. This means that you will be living off the same budget every single month.

In order to ensure this income is an amount you can live off, you have to start putting away funds now. Starting a special savings account with minimal interest and that you can’t touch is a good starting point.

Also putting away a couple of dollars a day or every paycheck will also be a great start to your retirement savings fund.

Reduce or Eliminate Your Debt

Taking steps to eliminate your debt can be difficult but it will be even harder to do once you’re in retirement. While you’re still making an income you should actively be attempting to reduce your debt or try to eliminate it completely.

Once you’re on a fixed income trying to find extra capital to pay off debts becomes extremely hard and could end up making you live on a very tight budget. m

Savings Account

Opening a savings account will help you track your savings funds and keep you motivated for the future. An account will also be a save place to put your money without worrying about spending it.

A great way to start one is by setting aside a certain portion of your paycheck every time you get paid that will automatically go into the account. This way you won’t worry about how much to put into the account every week or if you even saved away the money.

401K

If your employer offers you this type of retirement savings plan, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity. Not only will you be able to easily put away funds for your future but in some cases your employer will match your contribution to the plan so that you save even more.

Also this form of retirement plan lets you save without having to worry about taxes. The taxes are deducted when you finally withdraw the money from the account.

These funds have restrictions on when you can touch them so it’s a great tool for saving. The average age of retirement right now in the U.S. is 62 according to The National Academy of Social Insurance and the age for full benefits is 65. Which means you have a long time to put money away into your savings.

Common Misconceptions About Retirement

Spending Will Be Minimal

Most people think that just because their going to retire that somehow they are going to be well taken care of financially. Well that is definitely not the case. In retirement, you will be living off a fixed income which will have to cover all of your expenses from your electric bill all the way to any leisure trips or activities.

No More Financial Planning

Just because you stop working for a paycheck or salary doesn’t mean you should stop planning your finances. There are still going to be unexpected expenses that may come up like hospital visits or repairing the house. Making sure that you are sticking to a budget is more important than ever because you will be limited on funds.

Debt Is Gone

Debt is never erased even in old age, so you mind as well pay your debts off while you still can. Once you are in retirement it will be harder to make payments and might be difficult for you to negotiate with your creditors especially with a fixed income.

You should start planning for your retirement as early as possible so that you can be financially stable in your elder years and won’t still have a hefty amount of debt to pay off. The earlier you start your retirement savings the better chances you have of being able to retire early and being financially secure in the latter part of your life.