Passing on the #1 piece of advice that I wished I’d listened to in my early 20s: Set up a Roth IRA.

I took all the career advice that I received at the time, and benefitted. Good relationship advice kept me *out* of situations - not enough is said about *that.*

But just in case capitalism doesn't collapse, as I assumed it would? Set up a Roth IRA and throw some coins in there.

I didn't take free advice from everyone who was 40 and over in 2000 who said "set up your Roth." My energy was "I'm not motivated by money."

I have retirement accts only because of my profession. Being an educator forces you to save when you think you'll live forever. Thank God.

If you can't save anything right now, this message is not for you. Of course not.

But if you can, my God, *please* don't be like me. Go open a Roth, or even a high yield savings account. Put a few dollars in there when you can.

Compound interest will do the rest.

1. A Roth IRA is after tax money. Traditional IRA is the opposite - you pay taxes on the back end in retirement.

2. Roth works best when you're in your 20s & not earning as much as you might later. You're in a lower tax bracket.

3. Roth has income limits. Can't make over $139K.

4. You can put up to $6000 per year in there. When Boomers and Silent told me that, I was making like $35K as a baby teacher. They should have said, put $600 per year in there. $50 per month. I could've done that.

5. This is the kicker: You can start withdrawing it *at 59 1/2.*

Disclaimer: I am not a financial adviser. Just someone who wishes I’d set up a Roth IRA when I was 25!