Investing Unit 7: Action Steps

• Introduction
• Unit 1: Basic Building Blocks of Successful Financial Management
• Unit 2: Investing Basics
• Unit 3: Finding Money to Invest
• Unit 4: Ownership Investments
• Unit 5: Fixed-Income Investing
• Unit 6: Mutual Fund Investing
• Unit 7: Tax-Deferred Investments

• Advantages of Retirement Accounts
• Retirement Plans
• Tax-Advantaged College Savings Plans
• Annuities
• Summary
• Action Steps
• About the Author

• Unit 8: Investing Small Dollar Amounts
• Unit 9: Getting Help: Investing Resources
• Unit 10: Selecting Financial Professionals
• Unit 11: Investment Fraud

• Study Guide
• Action Steps
• Monthly Investment Messages
• Glossary

Action Steps Check off the steps after you have completed them.

Ask if your employer has a tax-deferred retirement plan [e.g. 401(k)].

Find out what investment choices are available in the employer plan.

Find out if your employer matches your investment dollars and, if so, how much is the match.

Set a date to start contributing or to increase your contribution – either a dollar amount or a percentage of your salary.

If you are self-employed, determine the type of retirement fund you could start, set an amount and begin making contributions.

Check out IRAs and determine which type is best for your age and income level.

Increase contributions to your tax-deferred plan each time your pay increases.