1. Pay down credit-card debt. Paying
off a balance with an 13% interest rate (the average on fixed-rate
cards now) is like earning 13% on your investments -- an incredibly
valuable use of the money. And once you pay off your credit-card debt,
you can start using that money to build your retirement savings.
2. Boost your 401(k) contributions. If you have an extra $1,040 to spare, then put that money to work for you in your retirement account. You'll really benefit if your employer matches your contributions. Investing an extra $86.67 a month (which is what $1,040 breaks down to over 12 months) in a 401(k) over 20 years costs you $20,801, but after two decades the account balance will be $49,632, assuming an 8% annual return and a 25% tax bracket. And that's with no company match. After factoring in the 25% tax savings, since the investment was with pretax dollars, the real cost to you is just $15,601. So you effectively triple your money in 20 years. Use our Power of Boosting 401(k) Contributions calculator to see how additional contributions to your account can add up over time.
3. Open a Roth IRA. If you're already maxing out your retirement account at work, contribute to a Roth IRA. If you invest $86.67 every month in a fund that earns a 7% annual return, in 30 years you’ll have nearly $106,000. And you can withdraw your earnings tax-free after you turn 59½. For 2013, you may contribute to a Roth if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $127,000 if you're single ($188,000 for couples who file jointly).
4. Increase mortgage payments. A little extra goes a long way. A $200,000 mortgage at 4% over 30 years works out to a monthly payment of about $955 (excluding taxes and insurance). You'll pay nearly $144,000 in interest alone. But put an extra $86.67 a month toward the same mortgage and you'll save almost $24,000 in interest and retire the loan four-and-a-half years early.
5. Invest in a taxable account. You might want to use the money to buy stocks or shares of mutual funds outside of your retirement account. If you invest $86.67 a month for 20 years in stocks or mutual funds with a 7% annual return, you'll have nearly $42,000. Spend that same amount on lottery tickets each month for 20 years, and you will have shelled out $20,800.
2. Boost your 401(k) contributions. If you have an extra $1,040 to spare, then put that money to work for you in your retirement account. You'll really benefit if your employer matches your contributions. Investing an extra $86.67 a month (which is what $1,040 breaks down to over 12 months) in a 401(k) over 20 years costs you $20,801, but after two decades the account balance will be $49,632, assuming an 8% annual return and a 25% tax bracket. And that's with no company match. After factoring in the 25% tax savings, since the investment was with pretax dollars, the real cost to you is just $15,601. So you effectively triple your money in 20 years. Use our Power of Boosting 401(k) Contributions calculator to see how additional contributions to your account can add up over time.
3. Open a Roth IRA. If you're already maxing out your retirement account at work, contribute to a Roth IRA. If you invest $86.67 every month in a fund that earns a 7% annual return, in 30 years you’ll have nearly $106,000. And you can withdraw your earnings tax-free after you turn 59½. For 2013, you may contribute to a Roth if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $127,000 if you're single ($188,000 for couples who file jointly).
4. Increase mortgage payments. A little extra goes a long way. A $200,000 mortgage at 4% over 30 years works out to a monthly payment of about $955 (excluding taxes and insurance). You'll pay nearly $144,000 in interest alone. But put an extra $86.67 a month toward the same mortgage and you'll save almost $24,000 in interest and retire the loan four-and-a-half years early.
5. Invest in a taxable account. You might want to use the money to buy stocks or shares of mutual funds outside of your retirement account. If you invest $86.67 a month for 20 years in stocks or mutual funds with a 7% annual return, you'll have nearly $42,000. Spend that same amount on lottery tickets each month for 20 years, and you will have shelled out $20,800.
