Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Download our favorite budgeting app, Monarch Money, and use code 'TFD50' for 50% off Monarch's Core Plan: bit.ly/51226video
Our creative director, Holly, shares 8 things to do if you have nothing saved for retirement (yet) — no matter where you're starting from.
Click here to read about Holly's 2026 no-buy challenge, the Nothing-New Year: thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com/p/the-nothing-new-year
thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com/p/holly-s-april-no-buy-update
SOURCE LINKS:
investopedia.com/americans-with-no-retirement-savings-11804319
cnbc.com/select/why-you-should-start-saving-in-your-20s
investor.vanguard.com/tools-calculators/retirement-income-calculator.html
brokemillennial.substack.com/p/yes-you-can-coast-to-retirement
investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/112315/how-401k-matching-works.asp
fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/retirement-accounts
fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account
fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/pay-down-debt-vs-invest
adpresearch.com/the-wage-lifecycle-is-more-complex-than-you-think
investopedia.com/terms/t/timehorizon.asp#toc-how-investment-time-horizons-influence-your-strategy
00:03:15 Calculate your retirement savings
00:07:38 Research & set up a retirement account
00:12:08 Pay off high-interest debt
00:13:41 Lower lifestyle costs
00:15:41 Increase income
00:16:45 Increase your savings rate
00:18:05 Adjust your investment strategy
00:19:53 Long-term lifestyle changes
Download our favorite budgeting app, Monarch Money, and use code 'TFD50' for 50% off Monarch's Core Plan: bit.ly/51226video
Our creative director, Holly, shares 8 things to do if you have nothing saved for retirement (yet) — no matter where you're starting from.
Click here to read about Holly's 2026 no-buy challenge, the Nothing-New Year: thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com/p/the-nothing-new-year
thefinancialdiet.beehiiv.com/p/holly-s-april-no-buy-update
SOURCE LINKS:
investopedia.com/americans-with-no-retirement-savings-11804319
cnbc.com/select/why-you-should-start-saving-in-your-20s
investor.vanguard.com/tools-calculators/retirement-income-calculator.html
brokemillennial.substack.com/p/yes-you-can-coast-to-retirement
investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/112315/how-401k-matching-works.asp
fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/retirement-accounts
fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account
fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/pay-down-debt-vs-invest
adpresearch.com/the-wage-lifecycle-is-more-complex-than-you-think
investopedia.com/terms/t/timehorizon.asp#toc-how-investment-time-horizons-influence-your-strategy
00:03:15 Calculate your retirement savings
00:07:38 Research & set up a retirement account
00:12:08 Pay off high-interest debt
00:13:41 Lower lifestyle costs
00:15:41 Increase income
00:16:45 Increase your savings rate
00:18:05 Adjust your investment strategy
00:19:53 Long-term lifestyle changes
