It’s said that a person should start saving for retirement as soon as they start working. Commonplace, methods of saving for retirement have been as simple as opening an IRA, contributing to a 401k, putting money into annuities, Dollar Cost Averaging into stocks, and even very primitively–sitting on cash. In a recent survey, most Americans stated that they believed they needed as much as $500k saved for retirement. What does it take?

The chart above shows what it would take to save twice that by retirement. A miracle? No. Unless you’re speaking of compounding.

With 6% interest per annum, you will need to:

• Save $361.04 every month if you’re 20 years old.
• Save $499.64 every month if you’re 25 years old.
• Save $689.41 every month if you’re 30 years old.
• Save $990.55 every month if you’re 35 years old
• …….and so on.

If you haven’t figured it out, time can either reward you or punish you. Einstein once said about compound interest that those who understand it, collect it and those that don’t, pay it. 

The later you start, the more you will have to contribute to a strict savings regiment. Once started you can very obviously create a formidable nest egg. One question remains: How do I earn a significant rate of interest?

Most savings and CD’s earn less than 2% currently. Annuities might earn 4% (with some hefty restrictions attached of course). some company retirement plans give you a match if you’re lucky. Otherwise, you might be lucky to get 4%. What else is there?

• Tax Liens: 9% annually – relatively safe.
• Index funds: 0-7% annual dividend + appreciation value – some risk.
• Individual Stocks: 0-15%? Annual dividend + appreciation value – moderate to high risk.
• REITS: 0%-9%-30% annual dividend + appreciation – moderate to high risk.

Other ideas, tangibles:

• Collectors coins.
• Vintage instruments.
• Rare First addition books.
• Rare artwork.
• Rare comic books.
• Rare sports cards.

The ideas are endless. Just make sure to always do your homework by researching what you are getting into and how to get out. Read books like The Intelligent Investor.

Last but not least, build an allocation. The best allocation will contain a portion of cash, equities, real estate and tangibles. 
Happy retirement building!