As you enter your 30s and 40s, you begin to have more financial obligations, but hopefully also have more income coming in than when you were in your 20s. If you do, then this could be an ideal time to consider investing in the stock market and other investments such as long-term investment strategies, if you haven’t already. Doing so will give you the opportunity to diversify and reap the benefits of compounding interest over the next several decades.
With all of this in mind, let’s look at what it takes to be an effective investor during this stage of life and how to gain the most benefit from your investments.
Why Investing Now Is Important
Have a quick change in perspective as we navigate this topic. Putting off retirement planning is like stealing from your future self. Wouldn’t you agree?
Think about it.
The earlier you get started, and if possible start putting away a portion of each paycheck for retirement, even just a few dollars, it will go farther and grow faster. How? Compound interest. Compound interest makes all the difference when saving for retirement.
So, don’t wait 10 or 20 years to begin investing and thinking about your future self. If you choose to wait, there’s no telling how much less money you’ll have saved up compared to those who invested starting at an early age.
So, When Can I Begin to Invest?
Technically, retirement is when you stop working. I know many people put an age on it. But, really, it comes down to the age that you choose, based on your health, future goals, and finances.
To begin, take a look at your current employment. Does your employer offer a 401(k) and/or match funds? If you don’t know, now is a great time to have a conversation with Human Resources and look into it.
It’s important to remember that 401(k)s and other workplace retirement accounts are not meant as a person’s only source of income once they retire; this is where your personal investments come in, such as stocks. Together, these will make a more comfortable retirement, if planned accordingly.
How Risky Should My Investments Be?
When speaking of investments, the topic of risks comes up quite a bit. A rule of thumb is this. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Don’t be afraid to consider different investment opportunities when it comes time for you to start saving for retirement.
Some investment vehicles, like stocks, may make sense for some people and not others depending on their financial situation and risk tolerance. But that doesn’t mean that middle-aged adults don’t have many options other than a savings account. There are other options such as high yield savings accounts, investment properties, other real estate investments, etc.
This is why diversity is key. Diversifying your investments can not only mitigate risk, but it can also generate interest and help grow funds over time.
Summary
Investments are a great way to build wealth, but it is important not just for younger people, but for all people. There are plenty of ways that you can invest smartly, even if you aren’t wealthy to ensure that you have a comfortable retirement.
This post is in partnership with Intellifluence.
