Young investors who wish to begin a savings plan face a bewildering array of investment options. There are not only thousands of products and services to choose from, there are almost as many different firms and vendors that market them in various capacities. Fortunately, putting your money to work is not as hard as it may seem.
Key Takeaways
- Young investors have the single most valuable resource on their side—time.
- Compound interest and dividend reinvestment are proven methods of building long-term wealth.
- Day-trading looks like a desirable lifestyle and can indeed yield above-market returns, but most investors who utilize this strategy lose their retirement accounts entirely.
- Real estate can be a solid investment choice if the investor will stay there for longer than five years.
- SIMPLE IRAs and 401(k)s are extremely good investment choices if your employer will match your contributions.
Saving for Retirement
If you are young,your greatest financial asset is time—and compound interest. At this point in your life, your primary investment objective for your long-term savings should be growth. Investors in their 20s will have at least 40 years over which to accumulate retirement savings.
Historically, real estate and stocks both tend to gain value faster than the rate of inflation. Although real estate prices do not grow as quickly as stock prices, real estate also has fewer booms and busts.
This means that you should consider putting as much of your savings as possible in some form of equities, such as common stocks and stock mutual funds. You might also consider real estate, either in the form of a personal residence or a mutual fund that invests in real estate holdings, called a REIT. It is important to be able to increase the purchasing power of your retirement savings over the course of your lifebecause you will need every penny you can muster after you stop working.
401(k)s and IRAs
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are great ways to start saving for retirement. Employer-sponsored plans often provide matching contributions, and this can give your retirement savings a tremendous boost. A 50% match on the first 5% of your contributions can result in tens of thousands of extra dollars in your pocket at retirement.
Most financial experts tell young people to use a Roth IRA instead of a traditional IRA because while you don't get a tax benefit from your contributions, both they and everything they earn will grow tax-free until retirement and you won't pay any tax onwithdrawals.
Roth features are also available in many qualified plans such as 401(k) plans. Money in traditional IRAs and 401(k)s is taxed at your personal income tax rate when you withdraw it at retirement—and you are required to withdraw a certain amount, starting after age 72 (as of 2020), whether you need it or not.Ultimately, the Roth combination of tax-free growth (and no required withdrawals) coupled with the superior returns posted by equities is virtually impossible to beat over time.
Buying a Home
Traditional financial wisdom has usually dictated that a house is one of the best investments you can buy, but whether or not this is true depends upon several variables. The duration of your residence and the current housing market will factor heavily into this issue, as will the current interest rate environment, rental prices, and your personal financial situation.
If you plan on living in one place for less than five years,it is probably cheaper to rent in most cases because, mathematically speaking, it usually takes at least five to seven years to accumulate enough equity in a home to justify buying one rather than renting.
Saving for College
If you are still trying to get through school or have not yet started, then there are several other vehicles for you to consider socking money into:
529 Plans
Every state has this type of college savings plan that allows you to put money away for higher education. (It now covers K-12 private education as well, but that likely won't be your problem.) The funds can be allocated among various investment choices and will grow tax-free until they are withdrawn to pay for qualified higher education expenses. The contribution limits for these plans are quite high, and they can also provide gift and estate tax savings for wealthy donors looking to reduce their taxable estates.
Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts
This type of college savings account is another option for those who want to take a more self-directed approach to their investments. The annual contribution limit is currently $2,000 per year, but it may still be a viable alternative if you want to purchase a specific investment that is not offered inside a 529 Plan.
U.S. Savings Bonds
These are yet another alternative to consider for conservative investors who don't want to risk their principal. The interest that they earn on U.S. Savings Bonds is also tax-free as long as it is used for higher education expenses.
Short-Term Investments
The alternatives for your short-term cash, such as an emergency fund, are pretty much the same regardless of your age. Money market funds, savings accounts, and short-term CDs can all provide safety and liquidity for your idle cash. The amount you keep in these investments will depend on your personal financial situation, but most experts recommend keeping enough to cover at least three to six months of living expenses.
Young investors should understand that over a long period of time such as their working years, investing in ETFs that track the market and letting dividends and interest build almost always beat a short-term stock trading strategy. Although returns can be high, most day-traders bust within a year. In the worst-case scenario, they lose their entire principal and can even end up owing their brokerage interest on margin trades.
The Bottom Line
The most important decision you can make as a young person is to get into the habit of saving regularly. What you invest in matters less than the fact that you have decided to invest. The right investments for you are going to depend largely upon your personal investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
What Are the Easiest Investments for Young People?
Investing can be intimidating, but you don't need a degree in finance to start putting your money to work. Exchange-traded funds and mutual funds provide an easy way to keep pace with the overall growth of the stock market, and you don't have to go to the trouble of picking stocks on your own.
Why Should You Start Investing When You Are Young?
It's said that the only true miracle is compound interest. Young people may earn less money, but investing in your twenties will give your savings several decades to grow. A thousand-dollar investment in the stock market, which typically gains around 7% per year, could be worth more than seven thousand dollars after thirty years. Moreover, tax-advantaged retirement accounts and employer matching contributions give you even more reason to take advantage of those benefits.
What Are the Best Short-Term Investments for Young People?
Investing can be a challenge for younger people because they tend to have little disposable income and they may encounter unexpected expenses. However, putting your savings in the bank is not ideal, because these accounts do not accumulate significant interest. Short-term investments such as money market funds and certificates of deposit are a great way to put your money to work but still be able to withdraw it at relatively short notice.
As an enthusiast and expert in personal finance and investments, I can attest to the critical importance of financial education, especially for young investors looking to begin a savings plan. With a demonstrated understanding of various investment options and strategies, I want to emphasize the evidence-backed principles highlighted in the article.
1. Compound Interest and Time: The article rightly points out that time is the most valuable resource for young investors. Compound interest, a concept deeply ingrained in financial markets, plays a crucial role in building long-term wealth. The longer your money is invested, the more it can grow exponentially, and this is a principle backed by substantial financial research.
2. Day-Trading Risks: The caution against day-trading is well-founded, supported by data that shows the majority of investors using this strategy tend to lose their retirement accounts entirely. This aligns with empirical evidence that highlights the challenges and risks associated with short-term trading compared to long-term investing.
3. Real Estate Investment: The advice on real estate as a solid investment choice, especially for those planning to stay in a property for more than five years, is grounded in historical trends. Real estate and stocks, as mentioned, generally tend to gain value faster than the rate of inflation, making them attractive long-term investment options.
4. Retirement Savings through IRAs and 401(k)s: The emphasis on Simple IRAs and 401(k)s, particularly when employers offer matching contributions, is supported by the potential for significant boosts to retirement savings. The article rightly highlights the benefits of Roth IRAs, combining tax-free growth with the superior returns of equities, providing a compelling argument for young investors.
5. Homeownership Considerations: The discussion on buying a home is nuanced, considering factors such as the duration of residence, current housing market conditions, interest rates, and personal financial situations. This aligns with established financial principles that advocate for a careful evaluation of individual circ*mstances before making significant financial decisions.
6. Saving for College: The article provides insights into various vehicles for saving for education, including 529 Plans, Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts, and U.S. Savings Bonds. These options are grounded in the diverse needs and preferences of investors, and the contribution limits and tax advantages are well-documented in financial literature.
7. Short-Term Investments: The advice on short-term investments, such as money market funds and certificates of deposit for emergency funds, aligns with conventional wisdom. Safety and liquidity are paramount for short-term needs, and these instruments provide a balance between preserving capital and earning some return.
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive overview of investment concepts for young investors, drawing on proven methods, historical trends, and established financial principles. It encourages a disciplined approach to savings, highlighting the significance of starting early and making informed decisions based on individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
