When investors think about financial mistakes, they often imagine buying the wrong stock, investing before a market decline, or taking too much risk. In reality, one of the most costly investment decisions is often the one that never gets made at all.

According to the latest Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) Retirement Confidence Survey, the median expected retirement age is 65, while the median actual retirement age is 62. However, many workers now expect to work even longer than previous generations, with more than one in five workers saying they may never retire.

What Net Worth Is Considered Wealthy in 2026? A Modern Guide to Redefining Financial Success For decades, the answer to “Am I wealthy?” was simple. Reach $1 million in net worth. But in 2026, that number alone doesn’t tell the full story anymore. A $1 million net worth today might

For most people, it’s an index fund, often tracking the S&P 500 or total market. And for many, that feels like the “right answer.” Low fees, broad diversification, automatic exposure to companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon. On the surface, it looks simple. Safe. Efficient. But the real question isn’t about what’s inside your index fund.

Many professionals assume that a high income naturally leads to wealth. After all, if you’re earning six figures—or even multiple six figures—you should be well on your way to financial independence, right? Unfortunately, that’s not how wealth creation works. Some of the highest earners in America struggle to build meaningful wealth despite impressive salaries. Meanwhile, others with far more modest incomes quietly accumulate substantial net worth over time.

Discover how compounding in investing builds long-term wealth and makes early retirement possible. Learn the power of time, returns, and disciplined investing strategies that can turn consistent contributions into exponential growth over 30+ years.