Are you putting in the max contribution you can every paycheck? That is important and at 28, I would bump it up as much as possible. Also, I wouldn't worry about where others are at any age. Everyone's situation is different. Be happy and proud of where you are.
Heck by all the published data I'm behind too at 43 and I think by any rational measure I'm doing OK. Agreed with the sentiment don't worry about where others are, just make the best decisions you can for where you are... and the house is huge, jeez my condo when looked at from an investment perspective (downpayment plus all insurance and interest paid though sales commission will come out of that too) increased by 25% for an annualized rate over the last 3.5 years: fixing that housing cost is a massive win to say nothing of potential appreciation.
I think the big thing to remember is when it comes to retirement planning (however you define it), is contributions made early >> contributions made late.
My suggestions would be try to max out your pension and your Roth IRA every year as a savings goal, but really sit down and do the analysis to see where the money goes... it's hard to say if there will be more or less handouts when I'm retired, but I'm not betting on social security to come and save me TBH and as such I'm just looking at maximizing my savings over the next few years.
To that point over the last week I've been considering moving back to Texas and picking up some small house near an acceptable college and convert to corp-to-corp on my current gig, perhaps sooner rather than later.
Ultimately it's never to early to get your financial poop in a group.
I agree with a lot of suggestions already made. Definitely max out a Roth IRA and max out any employer match at the very minimum. If I was thinking this way at 28 years of age, I would definitely be more ahead of the game than I am now.
@Anonymous wrote:
Just turned 28 and trying to figure out my main finances. Should be getting back around 3k in tax refund and will use it to pay off my $600 on discover and bring down a 0% card to $500 remaining. The rest of the money I will use to add to my roth ira and savings account with ally. Where should I be financially as far as savings and roth for my age. Have 4 months till my car payment is done and that's $300 that will be freed up as well.
There's no one who could answer that question. In this society, most of us are but one misfortune away from catastrophe. Where you "should be financially" is where we all should be: secure and safe.
