» How To Make A Million Dollars

This month in Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine they have an article talking about how much you need to save at any age to become a millionaire when you retire. They look at the ages 25, 35, 45 and 55. They make certain assumptions at each age about how much you’ve already saved, so their article may or may not apply to your exact situation, but maybe it can give you that nudge you need to realize that you’re behind. You need to get saving!

At Age 25
You’ve Saved: $0
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $286 per month.

Contribute enough to your company 401(k) plan to capture your employer match.

keep 100% of you account in stocks.

Pay down credit cards and other high-interest debt.

Set up an emergency fund in a high yield online account.

At Age 35
You’ve Saved: 0$
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $671 per month.
If You’ve Saved: $50,000
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $304 per month.

Aim to save 15% of your gross income

Shift your assets to 90% stocks and 10% bonds.

Invest in a 529 college-savings plan

At age 45
You’ve Saved: 0$
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $1,698 per month.
If You’ve Saved: $50,000
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $1298 per month.
If You’ve Saved: $100,000
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $861 per month.

contribute up to $15,500 to a 401(k)

80% stocks and 20% bonds.

Don’t put your kids’ college costs ahead of retirement.

At Age 55
You’ve Saved: 0$
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $5,466 per month.
If You’ve Saved: $50,000
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $4,859 per month.
If You’ve Saved: $100,000
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $4,253 per month.
If You’ve Saved: $200,000
To reach one million by age 65 you need to save $3,040 per month.

Add an extra $5,000 in catch-up contributions to your 401(k)

70% stocks and 30% bonds

If you’re coming up short, consider working a few more years

Read the whole article, however, the message is clear. Start saving as early as you can! At 31 I seem to be right about on track for the 35 year old, so that is encouraging for me. I do know, however, that I need to save more – it never hurts! As it says in Proverbs 13:11: