If you are in your early 20s or 30s, do you have a 401k retirement savings plan through your work? If not, now is the time to get one. In fact, regardless of your age, if you aren’t participating in an employer sponsered retirement savings program, now is the time to get started. If your company has a plan available, it is quick, easy, and affordable to get started.
When setting up your 401k account, you will decide on a dollar amount or percentage for your contributions. If in your late 40s or early 50s aggressively put money into your 401k. You don’t have much longer to save. Also at this stage, you should opt for low-risk investments, such as money market funds and bonds. However, if you are young and just getting started, you have time on your side. That time allows you to dabble in the stock market and take risks. Since you can wait out the poor economy and stock market, you stand a chance to profit from its turn around. That is why right now is the perfect time to invest in stocks.
At first glance, you might assume the opposite. Why is now the best time to invest in the stock market? Both the economy and the stock market are in trouble. Stocks are nearing all-time lows and the economy is suffering. Millions of Americans are losing their jobs, taking pay cuts, and losing their homes. How could now possibly be the best time to invest? Yes, both the economy and the stock market are stuffing. With that said, they both have a history of bouncing back. Every few years, this happens. To understand the process, you need to think long-term.
By thinking long-term, you avoid the short-term complications that are causing many to sit on the sidelines. They believe that since the stock market is suffering there is too much risk involved. Of course, there are always risks with stocks. The key is to do research first. Don’t invest in a company that looks like they may go under. Do the research. Most stocks started dipping in mid to late 2007. Do you want to invest in the market? Research stocks, but look at their 5 year history. Before 2007 was the stock at a higher level? If so, chances are it will recuperate. When it does, you stand to make a profit.
As for making that profit, it is easy. Stocks are near all-time lows. Some cannot get much lower. In these cases, they have nowhere to go but up. Remember, look at the long-term history of a stock. If it took a sudden dip around 2007 or 2008, it was due to the poor economy. All industries, including auto, technology, financial, food, and retail took a hit. With a poor economy, consumers spend less. As the economy improves, they will start to spend more. These once profitable stocks will rise from the ashes. If you purchased stock now, at near all-time low prices, you automatically profit.
As previously stated, if you are in the late 40s or early 50s and just setting up your 401k account, you should focus on low-risk investments. This is because you are nearing retirement. Yes, invest in money market accounts and bonds, but why not opt for a few stocks? Some financial experts imply the economy will bounce back in under 5 years. This still gives you time to make a profit.