Early Millennials and Gen Xers — It’s Not Too Late to Fix Your Finances
But here’s a dose of harsh truth
Some people seem to have it all together. In their early 20s they’re already saving and investing, with the goal of retiring by the time they hit 30.
I was not one of those people.
I had terrible money habits. I blew a $20,000 paycheck in a day. I assumed I’d never be able to retire so I didn’t invest a penny until I was 36.
I know I’m not alone.
As an early Millennial heading rapidly towards the big 4–0, I see so many friends whose finances are in a mess, or who have saddled themselves with so many financial commitments, they’ll be chained to their desk for decades to come.
Why?
We were sold a lie
We looked to our boomer parents, who — generally through the good fortune of being born at the right time — managed to afford a house, car, vacations, and all the other trappings of a successful life, even on low to mid-level salaries.
They had it so good seemingly without even trying. Even when they made bad decisions it seemed to have worked out pretty swell for most of them.
