Investing

You say long-term, but how long-term are we talking here? You thinking that this will be the start of a retirement fund, or something else?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Quote:

The only reason someone should start saving that early in their life (20s) is if they have dreams of retiring at 40 or becoming a millionaire by age 65. As for those numbers (starting investing at 21 vs. 35) although they may seem impressive at first glance (even I was inspired when initially hearing similar figures from my finance professors) you need to take into consideration that the likelihood of being able to invest year after year like that is extremely slim. Paying for your children's education, medical bills, or any other number of unexpected events that are bound to happen will inevitably eat into your disposable income and possibly even your savings.

Costs like kid's college and medical bills will hit you regardless. If you've started saving for your retirement early, then you can absorb those loses more easily. If not, then it'll prevent you from ever retiring in a timely fashion, and you'll end up like one of those sad 60 or 70 year olds, who cannot retire and end up stuck working thankless menial labor jobs until they die.

I know which route I would prefer.

There's nowhere I can't reach.