Even if you only put away $50 a month it adds up real fast. If your work doesn't have a retirement benefit open a Roth IRA. Contribute what you can each month. Budget for it. Then, start looking at growth calculators. Compounding interest is kinda mind-blowing. If you invest $50 a month at 6% interest starting at 35 (total $19,200) you'll have over $250K at 67. But if you started at 25 (total $25,200) you would have double that, and for only $6K more investment over 10 years. Now, if you can get an employer match on that, double it again. For only $50 a month starting at age 25 you can have a $1M+ to retire on. This is what I wish I would have been told at that age. Skip a meal out once a month, buy generic food, stop getting coffee, whatever. Find it and save it. You'll be glad you did.