Nicole Lapin

So let's start there.

I'm going to assume we're working with the average US salary, which is around 64K.

After taxes, depending on your state, you're likely going to take home somewhere around $48,000.

That's about $4,000 a month.

Here's what I want you to do in year one.

Learn the game and save $10,000.

Your goal this year is to build the habit of the 4K a month you're taking home.

Start by investing 500 bucks a month.

That's six grand a year.

Now, you might be wondering where exactly should I be investing?

I'm assuming 10 percent annual growth here, which is the average annual return of the U.S.

stock market.

In order to make investments that mimic the stock market, pros will invest in S&P 500 index funds.

A common low-cost example is one with the ticker symbol VOO.

Then aim to stash an extra $4,000 in a high-yield savings account for your emergency fund.

You can find that $4,000 over the course of the year by negotiating bills, cutting $200 to $300 a month from lifestyle creep, putting your tax refund to work, or if you want, doing a light side hustle.

All of that, including a little bit of investment growth, will bring you to around $10,500 in year one.

Year two is all about momentum.

Raise your monthly investment from $500 to $1,000.

Make it a goal not just to invest more, but to make more.