Before you start investing for the future, make sure you have enough emergency savings to weather unforeseen expenses.

You'll want to have at least six weeks of income set aside in a separate savings account. This account should be for emergencies only.

Don't be discouraged if you haven't built your emergency savings yet. We may be able to help.

Our My Savings Plan^® tool is an automated way to help you build your savings.¹

You may be ready to start investing once your spending, saving, and debt levels are all well managed.

If you have significant debt, start by paying it down while making smaller contributions to your savings or investments.

Over time, you can make larger contributions toward your savings and investments.

Use the My Money Map financial tool to track spending, saving, and budgets all in one place.

Your workplace may offer a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b). If your employer offers matching contributions, consider contributing at least as much as they match – this is additional money that you don't want to pass up.

If your employer doesn’t offer a sponsored retirement plan, it’s still important that you save for retirement before investing toward other goals.

Choose a percentage of your income to consistently put toward an investing or retirement goal. Depending on your finances, you may want to start with a smaller percentage and adjust it over time as your income changes. Even a small amount per paycheck can add up over time.

Once you’re consistently investing toward retirement, you can consider other long-term goals. Similar to retirement saving, simply choose a percentage of your income to consistently put toward your non-retirement goal.

Use the My Retirement Plan^® Savings Calculator to help create a non-retirement savings goal that works for you.