You just started a job or graduated college. Retirement can seem like very long way from where you are in life. But life can move fast and thinking ahead puts you in the drivers seat. Ask yourself three questions: Where do you want to be in 40 years? What type of lifestyle do you want? How much is that going to cost you?

Retirement is a life change that is impending so saving as soon as possible is ideal. If you’re already spending 30 percent of your income saving, investing and paying off debt, then you’re on a good track. Krista Neeley, the Regional Vice President of Appreciation Financial, answers questions you may have wondered about personal finances.

P: What’s the basic difference between a 401k, and Roth IRA? What is each best for?

KN: The first difference is your employment, they also differ in tax strategies, one is post tax and one is pretax. Ideally you should have variety in your tax codes through retirement savings, so either of these strategies may be great and if coupled together in a financial portfolio, that would be best for the participant. Roth IRAs are a beneficial way to save post tax for retirement while 401ks/403bs/457bs may be eligible for matches from your employer or company, which make it a great mechanism to save through as well.

P: What are guidelines for picking the best option for an individual?

KN: The first thing to examine is contribution amounts, select a comfortable amount to contribute each month, then stretch it. Once the habit is formed you will surprise yourself with how much you can save! Down the road, you will never regret saving “too much” and it is extremely empowering to surpass your savings goals.

P: When do you need to begin planning for retirement?

KN: Yesterday. Probably not the answer anyone wants to hear, however every day you are only getting closer to that day so it makes sense to put aside a small amount each day to prepare for that important deadline that is rapidly approaching.

P: Regarding financial planning what do you need to be doing?

KN: Ideally you should be in the routine of saving per month.

$200 in your 20’s

$300 in your 30’s

$400 in your 40’s

$500+ in your 50’s

$500+ in your 60’s

In your 70’s: This is the distribution phase of retirement so hopefully at these ages you are enjoying your retirement!

string(2565) "
You just started a job or graduated college. Retirement can seem like very long way from where you are in life. But life can move fast and thinking ahead puts you in the drivers seat. Ask yourself three questions: Where do you want to be in 40 years? What type of lifestyle do you want? How much is that going to cost you?
Retirement is a life change that is impending so saving as soon as possible is ideal. If you're already spending 30 percent of your income saving, investing and paying off debt, then you're on a good track. Krista Neeley, the Regional Vice President of Appreciation Financial, answers questions you may have wondered about personal finances.
P: What's the basic difference between a 401k, and Roth IRA? What is each best for?
KN: The first difference is your employment, they also differ in tax strategies, one is post tax and one is pretax. Ideally you should have variety in your tax codes through retirement savings, so either of these strategies may be great and if coupled together in a financial portfolio, that would be best for the participant. Roth IRAs are a beneficial way to save post tax for retirement while 401ks/403bs/457bs may be eligible for matches from your employer or company, which make it a great mechanism to save through as well. 
P: What are guidelines for picking the best option for an individual?
KN: The first thing to examine is contribution amounts, select a comfortable amount to contribute each month, then stretch it. Once the habit is formed you will surprise yourself with how much you can save! Down the road, you will never regret saving "too much" and it is extremely empowering to surpass your savings goals. 
P: When do you need to begin planning for retirement?
KN: Yesterday. Probably not the answer anyone wants to hear, however every day you are only getting closer to that day so it makes sense to put aside a small amount each day to prepare for that important deadline that is rapidly approaching. 
P: Regarding financial planning what do you need to be doing?
KN: Ideally you should be in the routine of saving per month. 
$200 in your 20's
$300 in your 30's
$400 in your 40's
$500+ in your 50's
$500+ in your 60's
In your 70's: This is the distribution phase of retirement so hopefully at these ages you are enjoying your retirement! 
"

This article includes affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, with no extra cost to you. We all know the feeling. You’ve had a stressful day, the news is bleak, the cost of rent, utilities, groceries, gas—just about everything — and suddenly, you find yourself clicking “Buy Now” on something

By Massimo Tornambe Scott Disick, aka “Lord Disick” has gained fame and a devoted following since his appearances on the reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Disick is renowned for his expensive taste in clothes, cars, and women. The question that millions of fans are asking is: where did his fortune come from? Scott

Traditional weddings can be incredibly stressful, not to mention super pricey – many newlyweds couldn’t even buy a house with that money. What’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life can often feel like an endless quest for absolute perfection – almost as if the ceremony doesn’t come off flawlessly, the marriage itself

There’s a weird shift that happens when your kid turns 18. One minute, you’re mushing their vegetables and cutting their grapes in quarters, and the next, you’re side-eyeing the dinner check, wondering: Wait… are they going to offer to pay? Should I let them? Do they have enough in their checking account to cover an

Conversations about the Law of Attraction are super popular these days. Basically, it means: positive thoughts bring positive results into a person’s life. And negative thoughts or habits . . . Well. Let’s not bring negativity into this 🙃.  Many folks are eager to turn their lives around — seeking love, peace of mind, happiness,

As the old saying goes…the proof isn’t only in the pudding it’s in your closet, your cupboards, your back porch and – if you have one – your garage. You’ve got too much stuff. Everywhere. It’s not just a bunch of grandmas building enormous collections of margarine tubs or Uncle Bill’s believe it or not

Though the wave of tech layoffs and the threat of a recession has overshadowed yesteryear’s news of the great recession, everywhere you look, employees are asking for more — and getting it. Though this time of uncertainty could have given employers back the power, it’s still in the hands of the workforce. From Gen-Z’s boundary

It always starts the same way: I’m lying in bed, eyes wide open, doom-scrolling my way through the horrors of the world — climate change, inflation, AI replacing everyone, weird vibes from my boss. My heart races, my brain pings around like a pinball machine, and just when I think I might try deep breathing

The Momager May Be Worth More Than You Think… Kris Jenner is a pop culture icon for many reasons. While you may have watched her meteoric rise to fame on Keeping Up with the Kardashians — which originally debuted on E! — she’s actually been a fascinating figure in the public eye for ages.  As

Everyone says the economy’s healthier than ever, but some of us still find it necessary to make that paycheck stretch…and stretch…and stretch. The better we understand our spending habits, the better we can manage them. Living frugally can benefit you in many ways. You’ll grow more self-reliant, creative, and resourceful as you learn to make