Looking for advice with saving..

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I'm 31. I have a 401k and pension plan through work but this only started two years ago. I feel so behind. I wish I was taught this at a younger age. What else can I or should I be doing more to save and secure my financial future? Also paying off school loans.

[Marina Draper]

Hi Brittany, great question!

First, I don't think you're that much behind, you still have 34 years to go until the time when most people retire, but it's great to start thinking about it as soon as you can.

I'd start with creating a budget and tracking your income and expenses, as well as create a retirement plan. There are a lot of calculators and tools available online with an easy search. Figure out how much you will need when you retire, how much you need to save to get there and how much you need to be saving each year with an average rate of return.

There are a lot of books and resources on that. Among my favorites are "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramzey and "Money: Master the Game" by Tony Robbins. 

Real Estate can be a great tool to save for retirement and gain wealth, read about it and talk to other people who are doing it, and I am sure you'll find the type of investment that will work for you.

A lot of people also ask for help from financial advisers, but be careful to find a good one and be mindful of their fees.

You're on the right track!