Starting early may not feel urgent when you're juggling rent, student loans, a first job, and all the costs that come with adult life.

But small financial habits built early can create serious momentum over time.

In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina talks through why young adults should begin saving and investing as soon as they can, even if the amount feels small at first. She explains how compounding works, why automation makes saving easier, how to think about raises and bonuses, and why employer benefits like retirement plans, Roth contributions, HSAs, and stock purchase programs can play a major role in building long-term wealth.

Regina also reminds listeners that financial confidence does not happen overnight. It comes from learning, starting small, making progress, and giving "future you" a stronger foundation.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

2:03 - The power of time, consistency, and small steps

3:22 - How compounding helps your money grow

5:04 - Starting at 25 vs. starting at 35

6:22 - Making saving automatic

9:15 - Using raises and bonuses wisely

11:06 - Taking advantage of employer retirement benefits

13:58 - Traditional vs. Roth retirement contributions

14:51 - HSAs, stock purchase plans, and other workplace benefits

15:56 - Building financial knowledge and confidence

17:54 - Progress, not perfection

18:42 - A simple action item to get started

ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.

CONNECT WITH REGINA

Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

Email: [email protected]

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

This material was prepared by Hartford funds.

For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management