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Fast Forward - It might seem like retirement is too far away to take seriously, but the choices you make today will make the difference between spending your golden years slumming it in your kid’s guest room and living it up in your very own beach condo. Follow these tips now to ensure your retirement is as fabulous as you are. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Hero Images/Corbis)

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Say Yes to Your 401(k) - Sign up on day one at your first job and contribute something, anything. Compound interest means that the earlier you start, the more you will have in the long run—it’s better to save a little over many years, than wait and be forced to save a lot over a short period of time. Set it up so that the money comes out of your paycheck before you receive it—you’ll never miss the cash, and your future self will thank you. (Photo: Bonninstudio/Westend61/Corbis)

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Take Advantage of Matching - Many companies offer matching contributions for retirement. For example, for every $1 you sock away in your 401(k), they might add 50 cents. Contribute the largest amount possible to max out your company help. (Photo: Bruce Laurance/Getty Images)

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Increase Your Earning Potential - Secure the education and training you need now, to increase your earning—and savings—potential later. (Photo: Art Vandalay/Getty Images)

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Increase Your Savings Annually - Got a 3% raise? Bump up your 401(k) contribution by 3%, too. Even small increases can pay off massively, thanks to our friend compounding interest. (Photo: Keith Brofsky/Getty Images)

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Create a Budget - Not only will it make you more responsible with your money, but it will let you see where you can cut back so you can save even more. It will also teach you the skills you’ll need to live well on your fixed retirement income. Try You Need a Budget’s simple tool, and make your budget part of a digital financial organization system that will make all aspects of your money life easier. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

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Pay Down Debts - We’re looking at you, credit card balances. It’s better to get them out of the way before you have the responsibilities of multiple children and mortgages, so throw as much as you can at them (after paying into your 401(k), of course). Then you can use the money you’ve freed up to save for retirement. The one exception: student loan debt, which is considered “good” debt. Pay the minimum on that and use your cash to save and pay down those credit cards. (Photo: jo unruh/Getty Images)

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Be Risky - Now is the time to take risks with your investment elections. Experts suggest holding 80 to 100 percent of your retirement fund in stocks before the age of 30. As you get older, you can get more conservative, adding bonds, money market accounts and Certificates of Deposits into the mix.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Live Below Your Means - Just because you got an increase in salary doesn’t mean you have to buy more stuff. Commit yourself to keeping your expenses at pre-raise levels and using the extra to pay off debt and save for emergencies and retirement.(Photo: Blend Images/Tanya Constantine)

Photo By Photo: Blend Images/Tanya Constantine

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Open a Roth IRA - Once you’re contributing the most possible to your 401(k), open one of these, which lets you withdraw your cash tax-free when you hit 59.5 years of age. Your money will last you well into old age!(Photo: Lilly Dong/Getty Images)