Dear Young People: Your 401(k) Match WILL Conquer All

So many people don't believe me when I tell them that making a habit of saving will make you rich. Particularly young people who are just entering the workforce. And you know what, I get it. I get it. The financial situation in the US seems dire right now. The stock market seems risky and it's easy to get caught up in the idea that we will all be living out of cardboard boxes in the next 10 years if we don't switch to gold coins and shotguns. <br><br>But it's just not true. The stock market may be subject to ups and downs, but over time the trend is always the same. It always goes **UP**. And the best way to invest in the stock market is through a 401(k). Every cent you put into a 401(k) early on in life is a seed that will sprout into a giant sequoia. That may seem a bit like new age nonsense, but trust me, it is the truth. Future you will be a fucking TREE.<br><br>Now you may be thinking, "But the economy is so bad, I won't even have a job in 5 years!" Or, "I don't have any money to save because things are so expensive!" But both of those things are not true. The economy is growing and if you continue to grow with it, you'll be just fine. And if you don't have enough money to save at first, that's fine too. Just start now with whatever little you have. It may seem insignificant, but if you put a dollar into a 401(k) every month at age 23, by age 70 you will have a guaranteed $1,037. <br><br>You know what's even better than that? Company matching. This is a benefit that most people are familiar with, but they have no idea how much of a difference it can make. If you put a dollar into a 401(k) every month at age 23, by age 70 you will have a *guaranteed* $1,037. But if your company matches contributions 100% and you contribute $2 per month, by age 70 you will have a *guaranteed* $2,074. That's an extra $1,000 just for saving two dollars a month. If you contribute $10, you will have $10,000 by age 70. That's with zero risk. <br><br>Of course you can't live comfortably at age 70 on just $10,000, but this is just an example. The real point is that saving at a young age is exponentially more important than the amount you save. Even if you only contribute enough to get the match, the compound interest will eventually make up for your lack of savings. <br><br>If you put $100 into a 401(k) at age 23 and contribute $0 per month for the rest of your life, by age 70 you will have a *guaranteed* $10,370. If you put $0 into a 401(k) at age 23 and contribute $50 per month for the rest of your life, by age 70 you will only have $121,000. $100 at age 23 is worth more than $50/month for 47 years. You may not be able to retire with just $10,000, but it's better than nothing. And if you actually contribute to your 401(k) every month? Forget about it, you'll be a fucking billionaire.<br><br>So put some money into a 401(k) right now, even if it's just a dollar. If you don't have a job, get one. If you don't make enough money, find a way to make more. There is always a way. And always, always, always contribute to your 401(k). The future you will thank you.<br><br>TL;DR: If you put a dollar into a 401(k) every month at age 23, by age 70 you will have a guaranteed $1,037. You know what's even better than that? Company matching.