While it’s important to pay off debt, it’s also important to start saving for your retirement. If you already have a 401(k), you’re already investing! You don’t have to put in thousands of dollars to invest if you don’t have it. Micro-investing $50 a month is a good way to start. “Compound interest” is a term you’ll learn in investing books. It’s about how small, consistent investments grow into a big nest egg because you earn interest on interest (it’s a snowball effect). Select a beginner’s guide on investing that addresses your fears and anxieties about your financial situation. Overcoming them is half the battle to financial freedom.