Well, today is my 32nd birthday. My birthday is a lot like the New Year for me. I feel like its a time to look at my goals and life and happenings and see what needs to be changed or see what IS working. I am hoping this weekend I can sit down and evaluate some things and take some time for some "inward looking."


And a high note....my employer is matching our 401K contributions now. And you can be fully vested at 4 years. I have actually been with the company for almost 5 years, but we had a buyout/ name change in 2009 so the vesting goes off of that date. So in July I will be fully vested. Our open enrollment date is next week, so I am going to try to look at my budget and increase my contribution.

Retirement has been on my brain a lot lately. A year and a half ago, I didn't even have a 401K. And although my contribution is small and I do not get an employer match, I still feel like I am accomplishing something by having one. I had a 401K years ago, but due to financial "ignorance" I took a total distribution when I was laid off. But....you live and learn.

But retirement has become so overwhelming. According to Merryl Lynch, I need at least $600,000 at retirement. I do have over 30 years before retirement, but how in the world can I save 600K? Pay off debt and put that amount towards retirement? Even then, its not enough.

Retirement has been on my brain a lot lately. A year and a half ago, I didn't even have a 401K. I did have a 401K at my previous employer, but being financially dumb I took a distribution when I was laid off. Not the best decision. But you live and learn. My employer now doesn't match %, but I feel like I am accomplishing something by just having one. Unfortunately, I can't change my percentage for another couple of months, but I plan to raise it.


But retirement seems so overwhelming. How am I supposed to come up with $600,000 (According to the retirement calculator, that is the minimum I need)? Pay off debt, then use that money towards retirement? Find a different way to invest? I have over 30 years until retirement, but the days are just flying by. And I don't want to be stuck with nothing.