5 Benefits of Front-Loading Your Investments

Early in the calendar year, it’s a great idea to explore what it means to “front-load” your investments, and why you should do so if you can.

To front-load is to invest a lump sum of money early on, as opposed to dollar cost averaging over a longer period of time.

Typically, we’re talking about investing as much as you can afford in the beginning months of the year, although there are other ways to front-load, as we’ll discuss.

5 Benefits of Front-Loading Your Investments

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How amazing is it to be in a position to front-load large sums of money? If you’re considering a front-loading strategy, that means you can afford to invest thousands of dollars in a matter of weeks or months.

1. Because You Can! Unless You Can’t.

As a resident, you might not have had enough left over to invest even a few thousand dollars over the course of the year. Take advantage of your much higher salary and get your dollars working for you as soon as possible.

Once you’ve invested that money, it can’t be spent. Paying yourself first is a tried and true budgeting strategy that guarantees you will meet your investing goals.

2. You’ve Paid Yourself First

By front-loading, I’m putting money into the 457(b) instead of the government coffers. That’s a great way to kick the year off. 

3. You’re Deferring Income Tax

All will be reconciled eventually; a tax deferred isn’t exactly a tax avoided, but at least my money will be working for me all year long, rather than resting in the hands of the government.

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