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About a week ago (when I actually wrote this, before my laptop went ker-plunk), I was looking at the Retire My Way website (part of the ING Direct and Sharebuilder group) and my friend looked at the screen. In amazement she asked me, “Are you planning your retirement?” I said that I was and she asked, “What for?” I reminded her that we might be 20somethings right now, but this is the time when we’re supposed to start planning. She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Yeah, I guess.”

As much as it seems to be drilled into us that we’ve got to start saving in our youth, most of my friends in my age group tend to brush it off. Everyone thinks, “I’ll start saving as soon as I get a better paying job” or “Once I pay off these bills I’ll start saving.” The truth is there will always be bills and we almost never have the pay we want.

When you’re a young adult, money is always tight. We’re just getting rid of the training wheels and learning to ride this thing called life on our own; paying your own rent, gaining career experience, and juggling a social life. In between the cocktails, clothes and credit cards, we have to remember to put a little away for ourselves.  They always say to “Pay Yourself First” and it makes complete sense. You work hard for your money. Of course there are bills to be paid and luxuries to be enjoyed, but rough patches and retirement are inevitable. After you get your paycheck, make sure future you can enjoy a little bit of that change. Set aside a specific amount every pay period, or ever better, have it taken out of your checking account and straight into your savings. Most banks can automatic transfers online, and may employers will do the same with a 401K or 403B.

Seriously start considering your retirement. Future you will thank you later.