As a child, you may have had a simple savings account that accrued a little interest over the months. When you’re an adult, however, saving money for retirement and education are critical parts to life. Many people are confused or intimidated by the investing process, but there are easy ways to start your own nest egg. Take a look at these smart investment strategies and choose a few that work for your situation.

Start a 401(k)

Most employers offer some type of investment account, such as the traditional 401(k). You may look at these accounts as optional, but they should be considered mandatory for a comfortable retirement. Contribute as much of your paycheck to the 401(k) as possible because you’ll gain high returns over the years. You’ll also reduce your reported income too. When income taxes are due, you’ll pay less because of the 401(k) contributions.

Determine Employer Matches

Another major reason to use 401(k)s is the possible employer-match amount. For example, your company matches your contribution percentage up to 6 percent. Ideally, you should contribute no less than 6 percent to the 401(k) because you’ll miss out on the employer’s full payment amount. These contributions are part of your salary that makes saving for retirement even easier than ever before.

Contribute to IRAs

Another investment strategy involves IRAs or individual retirement accounts. There are several IRA types, including an education-based one or traditional retirement. In fact, you can have several accounts and contribute to each one. You can save for retirement and your children’s education at the same time. This strategy also reduces your income level as reported on your taxes.

Avoid Early Withdrawals

Your 401(k) or IRA may have thousands of dollars after a few years, but don’t be tempted to take out these funds. Early withdrawals only increase your tax liability and reduce your overall retirement amounts. Extreme financial emergencies should be the only reason when you take money out of these accounts. In the end, they’re exclusively meant for retirement and education needs.

Research established and new investment strategies as you gain more experience with your money. You might read about Sharia complaint investments or monetary options at your bank. In the end, you want a stable investment strategy that builds wealth over the years. Your retirement will be entirely enjoyable with ample funds supporting your lifestyle.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 3rd, 2016 at 6:23 pm and is filed under Investment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.