Ep. 275 | Where to Invest for Retirement First | 401(k) vs Roth IRA vs Brokerage
Tue Feb 03 2026
Where should you invest for retirement first?
Should your money go into a 401(k), Roth IRA, traditional IRA, or a brokerage account?
In this episode of The Financial Mirror, we break down the best order to invest for retirement, using a 15% savings example with real numbers so you can clearly see how each account works together. Most people focus on what to invest in—but where you invest matters just as much, especially when it comes to taxes, growth, and future withdrawals.
We explain:
o The difference between 401(k), Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, and brokerage accounts
o How employer matches can instantly boost your returns
o When Roth vs traditional makes sense based on taxes today vs taxes later
o How a brokerage account fits into a retirement strategy for flexibility and early access
o A simple 15% retirement savings breakdown using real dollar amounts
Why tax diversification is just as important as investment diversification
If you’ve ever wondered:
“Should I max out my 401(k) first?”
“Is a Roth IRA better than a traditional IRA?”
“Do I need a brokerage account if I’m saving for retirement?”
“What’s the best retirement investing strategy for long-term growth?”
This episode is designed to give you clarity without complexity.
Instead of chasing perfect predictions, we focus on building a flexible, long-term retirement strategy that works in real life—not just on spreadsheets.
Whether you’re just getting started with investing, trying to clean up your retirement plan, or wondering how to balance tax-advantaged accounts with taxable investments, this episode will help you make smarter decisions with confidence.
401(k) Match Explained: https://youtu.be/E3BOvVmg9F0
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If you are in need of a Financial Coach, don’t waste another day of being in debt, not planning for retirement, or simply wondering where your money went each month. Today is the day to take control of your finances and I can help, no issue is too big or too small. Contact me at https://www.thefinancialmirror.org/
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Where should you invest for retirement first? Should your money go into a 401(k), Roth IRA, traditional IRA, or a brokerage account? In this episode of The Financial Mirror, we break down the best order to invest for retirement, using a 15% savings example with real numbers so you can clearly see how each account works together. Most people focus on what to invest in—but where you invest matters just as much, especially when it comes to taxes, growth, and future withdrawals. We explain: o The difference between 401(k), Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, and brokerage accounts o How employer matches can instantly boost your returns o When Roth vs traditional makes sense based on taxes today vs taxes later o How a brokerage account fits into a retirement strategy for flexibility and early access o A simple 15% retirement savings breakdown using real dollar amounts Why tax diversification is just as important as investment diversification If you’ve ever wondered: “Should I max out my 401(k) first?” “Is a Roth IRA better than a traditional IRA?” “Do I need a brokerage account if I’m saving for retirement?” “What’s the best retirement investing strategy for long-term growth?” This episode is designed to give you clarity without complexity. Instead of chasing perfect predictions, we focus on building a flexible, long-term retirement strategy that works in real life—not just on spreadsheets. Whether you’re just getting started with investing, trying to clean up your retirement plan, or wondering how to balance tax-advantaged accounts with taxable investments, this episode will help you make smarter decisions with confidence. 401(k) Match Explained: https://youtu.be/E3BOvVmg9F0 **Support the Stream By Shopping at Our Store** Buy Your Financial Mirror Gear: https://www.thefinancialmirror.org/shop YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefinancialmirror Rumble: https://rumble.com/TheFinancialMirror Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefinancialmirr0r X: https://twitter.com/financialmirr0r Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefinancialmirror/ Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/thefinancialmirror If you are in need of a Financial Coach, don’t waste another day of being in debt, not planning for retirement, or simply wondering where your money went each month. Today is the day to take control of your finances and I can help, no issue is too big or too small. Contact me at https://www.thefinancialmirror.org/ #InvestInYourself #PersonalFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #personalfinance #financialfreedom #finance #money #investing #financialliteracy #financialindependence #budgeting #debtfreecommunity #financialplanning #debtfree #financialeducation #debtfreejourney #wealth #financetips #business #budget #investment #entrepreneur #moneymanagement #moneytips #stockmarket #financialgoals #invest #motivation #debt #savings #moneymindset #savingmoney #success #RetirementPlanning #Investing101 #401k #RothIRA #PersonalFinance #WealthBuilding #LongTermInvesting