How Much Should I Save?

Hopefully, you'll live a nice, long life after you hit 65. But those social security checks from the government aren't going to be enough to live off of (and let's face it, social security probably won't even be around by the time we hit retirement).

So how much should you save?  I'd say the golden number for how much to save is anywhere from 15-20% of your total income, the higher the better (at least, when you're young). Also, if you work at a job that gives you a pension after you retire (like a government job), then you don't have to save as much. You should consider this when choosing your first job.