Growing Your Money

What it is

Letting money grow over time — high-yield savings, an employer match, and simple low-cost investing for retirement.

Why it helps you

Money can quietly work for you while you sleep. Starting small and early beats starting big and late.

Good to have first

An Emergency Fund.

This opens up

Long-term safety and choices.

Where to get help

Learn the basics for free

Investor.gov The beginner site of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the government agency that protects investors. It explains saving versus investing in plain words. It has a calculator that shows how money can grow over time.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Click “Getting Started.” Then try the compound interest calculator. (“Compound interest” means your money earns money, and then that money earns money too.)
Good to know: Questions or a problem with an investment? Call 1-800-732-0330.

FINRA Smart Investing Courses Short, free online lessons from FINRA, the group that oversees people who sell investments. Topics include setting goals, risk, and how fees eat into your money.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Pick the first course in the list and go at your own pace.
Good to know: You can do one lesson at a time.

MyMoney.gov A government site that gathers money lessons from many federal agencies in one place.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Look for the “Save & Invest” section.
Good to know: It’s a good place to browse when you have a little time.

Free money for saving for retirement

Saver’s Match (IRS) A new federal program that starts with the 2027 tax year. If you save in a retirement account, the government may add money to it. It can match up to half of what you put in, up to a yearly limit.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: People 18 and older with low to moderate income. You can’t be a full-time student. You can’t be claimed as someone else’s dependent.
How to start: Save in a workplace retirement plan or an IRA (a retirement account you open yourself). You claim the match on your tax return. The first claims will be made when people file in 2028.
Good to know: Income limits change. Check the IRS page. If a parent is still wrongly claiming you as a dependent, see Your Paycheck and Taxes.

Check before you trust anyone with your money

BrokerCheck (FINRA) A free search tool. Type in the name of anyone who offers to invest your money. It shows if they are registered and if they’ve been in trouble.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Anyone
How to start: Search the person’s name and their company.
Good to know: You can also call the BrokerCheck help line at 1-800-289-9999.

If you only do one thing first

If your job offers a retirement plan, ask human resources one question: “Do you match what I put in?” A “match” means your employer adds money when you save. Many people choose to save at least enough to get the full match. If you aren’t sure what to choose, a free nonprofit counselor can help you think it through.

Watch out for

Investing tips from online friends or dates. A common scam starts with a friendly message. Then they show you a trading app with big “profits.” When you try to take money out, they ask for fees. Never invest because of someone you met online.
“Get rich quick” influencers. People selling courses on day trading or crypto usually make their money from the course, not from trading.
Anyone who won’t say how they’re paid. Ask, “How do you get paid?” Some advisers earn more when they sell you costly products. Look them up on BrokerCheck first.
Investing money you’ll need soon. Investments can go down in value. Many people keep emergency savings in an insured bank account and invest only money they won’t need for years.
Fake calls from the SEC or your bank. Real agencies won’t call or text to demand money right now. Hang up and call the official number yourself.