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A couple in their 40s admitted on Reddit<\/a> that they have almost no retirement savings<\/a> and are only now trying to figure out how to begin planning for the future.<\/p>\n \u201cNeither one of has worked at a job that has a 401(k), the wife posted recently. \u201cNow, my husband has a job that has a 3% match but have to wait until the end of the year to get it.\u201d<\/p>\n In the meantime, she said they can only afford to start very small.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to start off small due to high cost of living, which means we might only be able to contribute $50.00 a month each,\u201d the wife wrote, \u201cand there might be some months that are lower\/higher amounts.\u201d<\/p>\n Don’t Miss:<\/strong><\/p>\n Small Contributions Still Matter <\/p>\n Many commenters urged the couple not to become discouraged by the small starting amount. Several people said the biggest step is simply getting started<\/a> and building the habit.<\/p>\n \u201cBetter late than never for sure \u2013 at least you\u2019re starting now instead of waiting even longer,\u201d one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n Others recommended opening a Roth IRA<\/a> through low-cost brokerages<\/a> and investing in broad index funds. A few argued that a traditional IRA could also make sense because the immediate tax deduction would help free up cash flow.<\/p>\n Still, nearly everyone agreed on one thing: once the husband\u2019s 401(k) becomes available, they should contribute enough to get the full company match.<\/p>\n \u201cThe match from your husband\u2019s job is basically free money,\u201d one commenter said.<\/p>\n Trending: Practice futures trading with a $50,000 demo account using real-time market data, then explore live trading when ready with a $60 signup bonus (code BNZ60) on your first $300 deposit.<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The original poster later shared that the couple\u2019s combined household income fluctuates between about $50,000 and $80,000 annually. They also explained that they live in a high-cost area in Florida and have already tried moving farther away to save money, but the additional commuting and vehicle costs canceled out most of the savings.<\/p>\n The poster repeatedly stressed that the $50 monthly contribution was only a starting point.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to set a monthly amount that we will not be able to achieve and become disappointed,\u201d the poster wrote. \u201cWe don\u2019t plan on 50.00 forever. I figure it\u2019s better late than never.\u201d<\/p>\n Many Shared Their Own Late Starts <\/p>\n One of the strongest themes throughout the discussion was reassurance from people who also started retirement planning later in life.<\/p>\n See Also: More Than Half of Americans Aren’t Prepared for Retirement \u2014 Including 62% of Gen Y<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n One commenter shared that they didn\u2019t begin serious retirement investing<\/a> until age 40 after leaving the military with a negative net worth. Sixteen years later, they said disciplined investing in index funds helped them build more than $2 million in investments.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s baby steps and doing what you can,\u201d the commenter wrote. \u201cYou\u2019re already ahead of others in just making the determination to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Others encouraged the couple to continue looking for ways to increase income through side hustles, certifications or career changes. The original poster responded by saying they had recently started a side hustle and planned to treat it like a consistent self-employment business.<\/p>\n \u201cI rather start now with small contributions than waiting until we can contribute more,\u201d the poster wrote.<\/p>\n The discussion also highlights a common challenge for many late starters: balancing day-to-day expenses with long-term retirement planning, and understanding how to structure contributions, employer matches and tax-advantaged accounts effectively with the help of a financial advisor.<\/a><\/p>\n Read Next: <\/strong>Explore Jeff Bezos-backed Arrived Homes and see how investors are earning passive rental income \u2014 now with a limited-time 1% bonus match for new investors.<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market<\/strong> <\/p>\n Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, professional financial guidance, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.<\/p>\n Connect Invest<\/strong><\/p>\n Connect Invest is a real estate investment platform that allows investors to access short-term, fixed-income opportunities backed by a diversified portfolio of residential and commercial real estate loans.<\/a> <\/strong>Through its Short Notes structure, investors can choose defined terms (6, 12, or 24 months) and earn monthly interest payments while gaining exposure to real estate as an asset class. For investors focused on diversification, Connect Invest may serve as one component within a broader portfolio that also includes traditional equities, fixed income, and other alternative assets\u2014helping balance exposure across different risk and return profiles.<\/p>\n Mode Mobile<\/strong><\/p>\n Mode Mobile is changing the way people interact with their phones by letting users earn money from the same apps and activities they already use every day<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong> Instead of platforms keeping all the advertising revenue, Mode Mobile shares a portion back with users who engage with content, play games, and scroll on their devices. Named one of Deloitte’s fastest-growing software companies in North America, the company has built a large beta user base and is scaling a model that turns everyday smartphone usage into a potential income stream. For investors, Mode Mobile offers exposure to the expanding mobile advertising and attention economy through a pre-IPO opportunity tied to a new approach to user monetization.<\/p>\n rHealth<\/strong><\/p>\n rHealth is building a space-tested diagnostics platform designed to bring lab-quality blood testing closer to patients in minutes rather than weeks<\/a><\/strong>. Originally validated in collaboration with NASA for use aboard the International Space Station, the technology is now being adapted for at-home and point-of-care settings to address widespread delays in diagnostic access.<\/p>\n Backed by institutions including NASA and the NIH, rHealth is targeting the large global diagnostics market with a multi-test platform and a model built around devices, consumables, and software. With FDA registration in progress, the company is positioning itself as a potential shift toward faster, more decentralized healthcare testing.<\/p>\n Direxion<\/strong><\/p>\n Direxion specializes in leveraged and inverse ETFs designed to help active traders express short-term market views during periods of volatility and major market events.<\/a><\/strong> Rather than long-term investing, these products are built for tactical use\u2014allowing investors to take magnified bullish or bearish positions across indices, sectors, and single stocks. For experienced traders, Direxion offers a way to respond quickly to changing market conditions and act on high-conviction views with greater flexibility.<\/p>\n Immersed<\/strong><\/p>\n Immersed is a spatial computing company building immersive productivity software that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens inside VR and mixed-reality environments.<\/a> <\/strong>Its platform is used by remote workers and enterprises to create virtual workspaces that reduce reliance on traditional physical hardware while improving focus and collaboration. The company is also developing its own lightweight VR headset and AI productivity tools, positioning itself in the future-of-work and spatial computing space. Through its pre-IPO offering, Immersed is opening access to early-stage investors looking to diversify beyond traditional assets and gain exposure to emerging technologies shaping how people work.<\/p>\n Arrived<\/strong><\/p>\n Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100<\/strong><\/a>. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.<\/p>\n Masterworks<\/strong><\/p>\n Masterworks enables investors to diversify into blue-chip art, an alternative asset class with historically low correlation to stocks and bonds.<\/strong><\/a> Through fractional ownership of museum-quality works by artists like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, investors gain access without the high costs or complexities of owning art outright. With hundreds of offerings and strong historical exits on select works, Masterworks adds a scarce, globally traded asset to portfolios seeking long-term diversification.<\/p>\n Public<\/strong><\/p>\n Public is a multi-asset investing platform built for long-term investors who want more control, transparency, and innovation in how they grow wealth.<\/a><\/strong> Founded in 2019 as the first broker-dealer to offer commission-free, real-time fractional investing, Public now lets users invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more\u2014all in one place. Its latest feature, Generated Assets, uses AI to turn a single idea into a fully customized, investable index that can be explained and backtested before committing capital. Combined with AI-powered research tools, clear explanations of market moves, and an uncapped 1% match for transferring an existing portfolio, Public positions itself as a modern platform designed to help serious investors make more informed decisions with context.<\/p>\n AdviserMatch<\/strong><\/p>\n AdviserMatch is a free online tool that helps individuals connect with financial advisors based on their goals, financial situation, and investment needs<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong> Instead of spending hours researching advisors on your own, the platform asks a few quick questions and matches you with professionals who can assist with areas like retirement planning, investment strategy, and overall financial guidance. Consultations are no-obligation, and services vary by advisor, giving investors a chance to explore whether professional advice could help improve their long-term financial plan.<\/p>\n Accredited Debt Relief<\/strong><\/p>\n Accredited Debt Relief is a debt consolidation company focused on helping consumers reduce and manage unsecured debt through structured programs and personalized solutions<\/a><\/strong>. <\/strong>Having supported more than 1 million clients and helped resolve over $3 billion in debt, the company operates within the growing consumer debt relief industry, where demand continues to rise alongside record household debt levels. Its process includes a quick qualification survey, personalized program matching, and ongoing support, with eligible clients potentially reducing monthly payments by 40% or more. With industry recognition, an A+ BBB rating, and multiple customer service awards, Accredited Debt Relief positions itself as a data-driven, client-focused option for individuals seeking a more manageable path toward becoming debt-free.<\/p>\n Finance Advisors<\/strong><\/p>\n Finance Advisors helps Americans approach retirement with greater clarity by connecting them to vetted, fiduciary financial advisors who specialize in tax-aware retirement planning.<\/a><\/strong> Rather than focusing on products or investment performance alone, the platform emphasizes strategies that account for after-tax income, withdrawal sequencing, and long-term tax efficiency\u2014factors that can materially impact retirement outcomes. Free to use, Finance Advisors gives individuals with meaningful savings access to a level of planning sophistication historically reserved for high-net-worth households, helping reduce hidden tax risk and improve long-term financial confidence.<\/p>\n Image: Shutterstock<\/strong><\/p>\n This article They’re In Their 40s And Have No Real Retirement Plan Yet. The Problem Is They Can Barely Afford To Begin. ‘It’s Better Late Than Never’<\/a> originally appeared on Benzinga.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. 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