Financial investments is a smart financial strategy that can really pay off. More and more people are choosing to begin investing their money earlier in their careers, and it's easy to see why: Social Security and other forms of retirement plans are not necessarily guaranteed as they once were. So unless you want to be working until you are 70 or even 75, or you have a rich family member or a trust fund waiting for you, it pays -- literally -- to begin investing early. More and more companies, even ones with entry-level positions are offering 401k and other retirement plans, and these are well worth the literal investment.
Most financial advisors, for example Scott Gelbard, will advise you to invest as soon as possible, and to do so by enrolling in the 401k plan that your company offers. Many companies will match your contributions up to a certain percentage (check with your employer to find out what this percentage is, and if there are any limitations or exclusions you should be aware of), and even if they don't, your money alone has the power to go far. For instance, a salaried restaurant manager who nets $35,000 per year can contribute 2.5% of every paycheck, and after five years that 2.5% could add up to several thousand dollars.
