If you're at a job where the employer matches contributions, put your money into a 401(k). After the contribution cap is reached (where they stop matching), put your money into a Roth IRA. The benefit is that you can take money out after 5 years without penalty up to the amount you put in (a 401(k) is taxed and you're presented with a 10% penalty for taking money out early... and the money you put back in is after-tax dollars and will be retaxed at retirement). The only reason you'd go with a 401(k), really, is if you're getting free money from your employer. For your age, the IRA is the better option. (Plus tax brackets are probably going to increase by the time you retire. By getting taxed now, you don't have to worry about how much you'll have in the future.)
Other than that, a money market account is better than a CD because the interest is comperable and it's highly solvent. (In most cases, as long as you have a minimum of $X, you can take money out to pay your bills.)
There are some tax-exempt bonds that you could invest in, but there are some mutual funds that specialize in this if you can get your hands on one.
It's great that you're thinking about your future at this age. I'm 21 and see most of my peers in credit card debt. (One thing to note: if you have student loans, unless you've managed to get a VERY high-paying job, the interest is tax-deductible. If you set it up so that the payments are automatically drafted from your checking account, you can usually save .25% on the interest and after 4 years of paying on-time, you can drop another 1%!)
At this age, you can afford to have some riskier investments, but stocks with modest growth should make you rich in the long-run. Good luck!
2007-03-11 09:10:51
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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First and foremost cut your burn rate (spending rate).
Do not buy a new car. Drive an old reliable economical car.
Live with your parents or keep your rent expense as low as possible. If you are cute and blonde you can live at my beach house for free (just kidding).
Invest in yourself first. Graduate school for law, medicine or business will get you an excellent return on your time and money.
Go into business for yourself. It is the best way to get rich in the U.S.
Investing in mutual funds is a good idea for a strickly passive investment but outside of an IRA they are taxed.
Financially, the biggest event for you is who (or if) you marry. You can marry more money in an afternoon than you can make in a lifetime. I would advise you to choose a husband with good character rather than on a financial basis.
If you are working, try to live close to work to keep your communting (non dedeuctable) expense low.
Good luck.
harryhoundstooth@yahoo.com
2007-03-11 06:04:54
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answer #2
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answered by harryhoundstooth 1
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i might advise you to provide up searching for solutions on your financial questions approximately YA. submit from countless above recommends making an investment in a triple short fund?!?! whether Enless is physically powerful and the Dow grew to become into going to drop to 2,000, if it is going from 9,000 to 12.500 first, you will lose each greenback you have invested! shares are the wonderful thank you to overcome inflation interior the long-term (twenty years or extra). If that's money for retirement, shares are a good wager. that's no longer appropriate if the Dow is at 4,000 or 15,000 in the present day because of the fact in 40 years, they are going to be properly worth lots, lots extra. you ought to no longer be demanding approximately short-term volatility while making an investment for the long-term. If this money is to be invested for something below twenty years, evaluate putting a good element into different components as properly (bonds and/or CDs). If this money may be needed interior the subsequent 5 years, do no longer placed money into something that would not assure your return. in straight forward terms asset that i understand of that ensures your return is FDIC insured CDs. desire this enables!
2016-10-18 02:49:01
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Once you have decided when and If you are going to invest anything, go to a financial planner and start doing it right.
2007-03-11 05:39:47
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answer #4
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answered by bob shark 7
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I lend money through the Prosper Network and it has worked very well for me. I make a killer return on my money.
Stop by and visit us at http://prosper.arnieosborn.com
2007-03-11 17:42:03
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answer #5
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answered by Arnold O 1
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