Imagine still needing a paycheck in your 60s and 70s. At that age, I hope to be grinding through the latest Elden Ring game and not being trained how to use the register by a teenager named Braxton. Unfortunately, this is not a one-off. 1 in 5 Americans over 65 are still working.

So that you aren't forced to work at 65, here are three quick things you can do (assuming no high-interest debt and a fully-funded emergency fund — if you're not there yet, start there):

First, get your employer match. If your company matches your retirement plan (401k, 403b, 457b TSP) and you're not taking it, they are literally trying to hand you free money and you're looking at them like "nah I'm good," which is one of the most expensive things you can do with your own two hands.

Second, stop saving money (kind of). I audit people's finances every week and too many of you have a lot of cash just hanging out in savings. Every time I ask why, it's the same answers on rotation: "I'm scared to invest," "I'm waiting for the stock market to crash," and "I don't know what to do with my money…" I completely understand. You're paralyzed by endless YouTube videos or the fear of making the wrong move. So you end up making no move at all, which may feel good in the moment. Meanwhile, inflation quietly eats your cash in the background. Don't get me wrong, cash is great, but only so much.

Instead, aim to max out your Roth IRA. Still have money left over? Max the 401k and HSA if you can swing it, and if you STILL have money left over (nice flex), open a brokerage account. Park at least 90% in boring index funds you never touch (unless you're rebalancing), and if you'd like, 10% for the fun stuff: Individual stocks, higher risk plays, whatever scratches the itch.

Third, find your people. You are the average of the five people you talk to about money, so if those five are broke, I have terrible news about where you're headed. Figuring out your finances alone is like trying to get in shape without a gym buddy, which is technically a thing people attempt but you and I both know how it ends, quietly, in January, next to a protein powder you never opened.

Do all or most of these steps and you will change your trajectory.

One last thing. For years you've been asking me: "Can you help me offline? I don't want to discuss my finances in public" and for a long time the answer was no, because there wasn't a good way to do it at scale.

I'm happy to announce that I'm building a private community to help you actually invest your money and get on a real path to financial freedom! BUT, we're only accepting 10 founding members to start. So if this is the year you stop figuring it out alone, join the waitlist now and grab your spot before they're gone.

Excited to build this with you before opening it up to everyone else!

— Imran