Investment goals rarely remain stagnant. Just as other priorities and aspirations evolve as we age, our investment goals change, too. Your needs and wants in your twenties will look different from those in your fifties, so your investment goals must align with the current decade of your life.
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Of course, everyone’s life moves at different rates, so don’t fret too much if your investment goals don’t align with ours. The important thing is that your investment plans grow with you.
Let’s look at our list of the No. 1 investment goals for each decade of your life.
For many people, your twenties mark the end of traditional schooling and the beginning of your career. Since this decade is likely the start of earning significant money, it’s time to begin your investment journey. You have a few options, including opening a high-yield savings account, a brokerage account, contributing to a retirement account, or combining all three.
“During your 20s is the optimal time to begin investing,” said Richard McWhorter, private wealth advisor and managing partner at SRM Private Wealth. “You’ll want to focus on high-growth investments. At this stage, you will have ample time to weather the ups and downs of business cycles, allowing you to take on higher risk.”
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Now that you’ve been working for almost a decade, you can start saving for a large purchase, like your first home. Real estate is a significant investment, and you’ll need about 20% of the property’s purchase price saved for a down payment.
Spend the early part of the decade budgeting and designing a savings plan so that you have the money ready when you’re ready to invest.
If you have kids, consider contributing to a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged education savings account with investments growing tax-free and tax-free distributions for qualified education expenses. If you don’t have kids, consider contributing to a health savings account (HSA) or traditional IRA.
“By the time you reach your 30s, you should already have a good start on your retirement fund,” said Uli Ebensperger, co-founder and CEO of Ziggma.com. “This is also when many people purchase their first homes and start a family. With many different priorities, saving and investing can become a little more difficult, but it’s important to stick with your plan to make sure you’re not playing catch-up in future decades.”
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