Episode 14: I’m 24, Got My First Paycheck, When Can I Retire?

First paychecks feel like a win… until taxes, rent, and loans show up. We break the noise with a clear playbook for 20-somethings: how to build a budget that actually sticks, why “free money” from your employer match comes first, and when a Roth 401(k) or IRA can set you up for decades of tax-free growth. Along the way, a nostalgic detour through baseball and Pokémon cards shows how small choices today can turn into big regrets—or big wins—tomorrow.

We run the numbers: start at 24 with $500 a month and a modest 6% return, and you could cross seven figures by your mid-sixties. Wait ten years and the result is roughly half. That’s the quiet math of compounding and the real cost of delay. We also map out the pillars of a resilient plan—an opportunity fund with three to six months of expenses, a growth-focused portfolio that matches your long time horizon, and a cap on speculative bets like crypto and private equity so they add spice without burning the foundation.

You’ll hear why boring often beats viral, how to avoid common traps new earners face, and where a seasoned coach can help turn scattered advice into a simple, durable strategy. Whether you’re 22 with your first offer letter or a parent guiding a new grad, this conversation translates financial literacy into practical steps you can take this week: secure the match, automate contributions, favor Roth when it fits, and invest for growth with patience.

If this helped you see money differently, follow the show, share it with a friend who just got paid, and leave a quick review so more young listeners can find smart, no-fluff guidance. Got a topic you want us to tackle next? Send it our way, and be sure to subscribe for more actionable episodes.

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Disclosure: Information contained in this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. Financial Planning and Advisory Services are offered through Prosperity Capital Advisors (“PCA”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Keystone Financial Group and PCA are separate, non- affiliated entities. PCA does not provide tax or legal advice.