Imagine this: your boss offers you free money every time you save for your future. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. It’s called employer matching, and it’s one of the most powerful benefits in a company’s 401(k) retirement plan.

If you’ve just opened a brokerage account, congrats — you’re ahead of the curve. Investing early is one of the smartest moves you can make for your financial future. But here’s a gentle nudge: just because you love sipping Starbucks or shopping at Target doesn’t mean those companies automatically deserve a spot in your portfolio.