I often write about the importance of saving and investing early, and about managing your time wisely. These habits are powerful because they give you options in life — and having options means having freedom. I can speak about this with conviction because I know what it’s like to waste time.
Between the ages of 17 and 24, I wasn’t saving or investing. I wasn’t thinking about retirement, building wealth, or preparing for life’s surprises. At that time, I thought I had plenty of time to figure it out. But life has a way of teaching you lessons. Eventually, unexpected situations came — some that required money, others that required time, and sometimes both. Those moments showed me how unprepared I really was.
When I finally began saving, I started small — just by saving my spare change. It may seem like such a small step, but it made a big difference. That change allowed me to help one of my brothers financially during his college years. My wife and I even paid for vacations using the money we had saved over time in jars of coins. Those small, consistent decisions created opportunities and memories we wouldn’t have had otherwise.
In the early 90s, we were introduced to the stock market and to 401(k) investing. This became our platform for long-term growth. Looking back, I realize that if I had started saving and investing just a few years earlier, our portfolio would be much larger today. Those years I lost can never be recovered, but I am thankful that we eventually started. Because of our investments, we now have options — whether it’s taking time off, handling an emergency, or planning for retirement.
And that’s the message I want to share with anyone reading this, especially young people: start now. Don’t wait until you think you “have more money.” Don’t wait until you’re older or “ready.” The best time to start saving and investing is today. It doesn’t have to be a lot — just be consistent. Even a few dollars saved every week will grow over time.
Time is one of the most powerful tools you have. When you start early, you give your money years — even decades — to grow. You give yourself the ability to face life’s challenges without fear. And you give your future self options that you wouldn’t otherwise have.
So here’s my call to action: start today. Open a savings account, set aside your spare change, or look into a retirement account like a 401(k) or IRA. The earlier you start, the more freedom and security you will have later. Don’t waste time like I did — use time to your advantage.
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Marvin Dixon/Founder
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