As a financial coach, I’ve seen countless clients struggle with their finances because they thought they were “bad at money”.
Really they were just lacking a basic financial education.
Investing feels intimidating because of a lack of knowledge and the financial jargon that makes it sound harder than it is. If you want to start learning key investing terms that will help you build wealth, you can check out my free investing term resource guide here.
Let’s talk about why you should invest in a Roth IRA, who can and should invest, how to get started, what you should invest in, and where to open a Roth IRA.
By the end of this post, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to start investing in your future and ultimately how you could become a millionaire, just by investing in a Roth IRA.
Why You Should Invest in a Roth IRA and Why It’s Easier Than You Think
A Roth IRA is a retirement savings account that allows you to invest after-tax dollars into a variety of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and index funds.
The biggest benefit of a Roth IRA is that your money grows tax-free, meaning you won’t have to pay taxes when you withdraw your money in retirement. This is different from traditional IRAs, where you pay taxes on your withdrawals.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Roth IRAs is that they’re only for the wealthy or experienced investors. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, anyone can open a Roth IRA and start investing with just a few dollars a month. You don’t need to be an expert investor to start building wealth with a Roth IRA.
Who Can and Should Invest in a Roth IRA?
Anyone with earned income can contribute to a Roth IRA, regardless of their age. This means that even teenagers with part-time jobs can start investing in their future. However, there are income limits for Roth IRA contributions.
For 2023, the maximum contribution limit is $6,500 for individuals under 50 and $7,500 for those over 50. If your income is above a certain threshold, your contribution limit may be reduced or eliminated altogether. You can find the income limits right here.
If you’re looking to build long-term wealth and achieve financial freedom, a Roth IRA is a great way to do so. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. Even if you have a 401(k) already, adding a Roth IRA to your investing strategy can be a great way to take advantage of tax advantaged investing.
How to Get Started Step by Step
Opening a Roth IRA is a simple process. First, you’ll need to choose a brokerage firm to open your account with. Some popular options include Vanguard, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab. Once you’ve chosen your brokerage firm, you’ll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, address, and social security number. You’ll also need to choose your investments.
When choosing your investments, it’s important to consider your risk tolerance and investment goals. Low-cost index funds, which provide a diversified portfolio at a low cost, are a great choice for new and experienced investors.
After you’ve opened your account and chosen your investments, you’ll need to set up automatic contributions. This is the key to building long-term wealth with a Roth IRA. By contributing a small amount of money each month, you’ll be able to take advantage of compound interest and watch your money grow over time.
What You Should Invest In?
As mentioned earlier, low-cost index funds are a great option for beginner investors. These funds provide a diversified portfolio at a low cost, which is important for long-term growth. Some popular options include the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund and the Fidelity Total Market Index Fund, which are funds that invest in thousands of stocks within just one fund.
Bonds are also an important part of a diversified portfolio. Bonds provide stability and help to reduce risk. Some popular bond funds include the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund.
Where to Open a Roth IRA
There are many brokerage firms that offer Roth IRAs. Some popular options include:
- Vanguard
- Fidelity
- Charles Schwab
- TD Ameritrade
- E*TRADE
When choosing a brokerage firm, it’s important to consider factors such as fees, investment options, and customer service. You’ll also want to make sure the firm you choose is reputable and has a strong financial history.
How much do you need to invest to become a Roth IRA millionaire?
Assuming an 8% annual return, here’s a rough estimate of how much you would need to invest in a Roth IRA to become a millionaire in different timeframes, along with the monthly investment amount:
- Investing for 10 years: Approximately $424,664.82 (or $3,253.87 per month)
- Investing for 20 years: Approximately $191,735.12 (or $1,378.14 per month)
- Investing for 30 years: Approximately $86,419.81 (or $497.25 per month)
Note: The earlier you start contributing, the less you may need to invest in total due to the power of compounding.
Please note that these estimates are based on historical performance of the stock market being roughly 10% and subtracting a couple percent for inflation.
Investing in a Roth IRA is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth and achieve financial freedom. Anyone can open a Roth IRA and start investing with just a few dollars a month.
By choosing the right investments and setting up automatic contributions, you’ll be on your way to building real wealth.
If you’re ready to take the next steps towards financial independence, download my free financial independence checklist. This checklist will help you identify what you need to do next to start building wealth and reach financial independence.