TIPS TO GET OVER ANXIETY OF INVESTING

START SOONER, NOT LATER. Saving for tomorrow has to start today. Putting it off means you will have to sock away more cash later to make up for lost time. Getting started often is the hardest part.

JOIN THE PLAN. That 401(k) plan offered at work is your entree to investing. Opt in, not out. Have a few dollars taken out of your check each pay period and invest in a target-date fund.

CONQUER YOUR FEAR. Sure, the stock market is confusing and scary at times. But you can’t take advantage of rising markets with your money sitting at the local bank in a savings account earning 0%.

FREE UP SOME CASH. If you need to sacrifice and live a more frugal lifestyle to boost your 401(k) savings, do it.

IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE SELF. The study found that people who saw digital images of what they might look like 30 years in the future said they would double the amount of money they put away for retirement.