When money is tight, it can seem difficult to save for a long-term goal, such as your retirement. Serious as you may be about money being tight, you can't afford NOT to save. Being old and broke is even worse than and young and broke. Contribute a small amount to start, and increase it once you're used to saving. Because your contributions are pre-tax, your paycheck is not reduced by the full amount of your contribution. It's a small sacrifice for a better future.

Are you serious? You're never too young to start saving for something as real as retirement. It's your ticket to freedom. When you look to the future, you probably feel skeptical about the chances you'll get any benefits from Social Security. And now that the dream of retiring at 35 on dot-com stack options is dead, the only one you can rely on is you. So why make saving harder than it has to be? Start yesterday already.

5 Reasons You're Not Saving For Retirement

Wake up, feed the dog, feed the kids, work, lunch, work, soccer practice, evening bath, bedtime story, West Wing.... Wait! Stop right there! You don't have time to plan for your retirement, but you can watch TV? Yes, we understand the need for downtime, but we're pretty sure you can fill out an enrollment form during the commercials alone.

The last few years in the U.S. stock markets have been hard for investors, but no one says you have to put all your eggs into the stock market basket. Your 401(k) provides a rang of investments to suit almost everyone, from the conservative investor to the daredevil. Don't turn your back on this valuable part of your employee benefit plan just because you're unsure how to invest. Go to http://retirement.standard.com and take the quiz under "Develop Your Strategy." The results will point to a strategy that suits you.

Does your account allow your money to grow tax deferred? Is someone matching the contributions you make to the account? What kind of interest are you earning? Forgive us for being so Nosy, but we had to ask the questions. That's because many savings accounts these days are offering bottom-of-the-barrel interest rates. You might as well drop a nickel in you couch and see if it turns into a quarter. Give your 401(k) a try. The benefit of tax-deferred compounding alone will beat your savings account returns.