401(k) Dos and Don’ts

A 401(k) is one type of retirement plan some companies establish for their employees. If your company has one, you can open an account and make contributions directly from your paycheck. Employers often also make a contribution to your account—it’s like getting free money. If you find that a 401(k) is right for you, here are some dos and don'ts to consider when establishing one.

That way, everything is on autopilot. If your company has “automatic escalation” or “rebalancing options,” sign up for those, too.

Don’t live with the fund’s default setting. Keep the investment in your own company’s stock to no more than 10 percent. (You could have the best employer ever, but diversifying your portfolio is important. That means spreading your asset allocations around more broadly.)

“Expense ratios” can range from 0.25 percent to 2 percent, and if you let them get out of control, they will eat into your nest egg.

Yes, it’s your money, but you can’t take it out before age 59 1/2 without a nasty penalty. The penalty, along with missing out on the joy of compounding interest (yes, my most favorite joy, but I’m a nerd), can really undermine your retirement power if you decide on cashing out early.

You want to build a deck or remodel the bathroom? Start a savings subaccount. Don’t sacrifice 401(k) contributions. Putting short-term gain first will bite you in the butt because you’re not benefiting from the growth you would have seen from your investments. The longer you’re out, the harder the bite.

Because when you pay it back, you will be using money that was already taxed. Then, when you take it out to use for retirement, you will be taxed again. No one wants to be double-taxed.

Excerpted from Rich Bitch, by Nicole Lapin. Copyright © 2015 Nicole Lapin. Rich Bitch is a trademark used under license from Nothing but Gold Productions. Inc. Published by Harlequin. Reprinted with permission.