Your 20s are a great time to experiment, let loose, have fun, and essentially learn and grow as a young adult. But in your 30s, you can take all of the lessons you learned throughout your last decade and start to actually implement them as you settle into responsible adulthood.

One of the ways that you can make the most of your 30s is by making wise investments. But what investments should you be making at this age in order to prepare for a brighter, more financially secure future? Continue reading to learn more.

Fully Take Advantage of Your 401k

There’s no better time to plan for your retirement than your 30s, especially if you hadn’t begun to plan and save in your 20s. There are many retirement account options available, regardless of where you work or what your career is.

But if you work for a company that offers you a 401k, take full advantage of it in your 30s. This is one of the best ways to work today to ensure a comfortable retirement later on. And it works even more in your favor if you have a generous employer who’s willing to match your contribution. If that’s the case, contribute as much as you can to take complete advantage of the match, or go above and beyond and contribute 1-2% more than your employer. While you may think you’d rather take the money now, it will be more valuable when you’re ready to retire than it is now.

Purchase Your First Home

If you were able to purchase a home in your 20s, that’s great. But a lot of people have to wait until they’re in their 30s and have really settled into a steady career that they love before they can invest in real estate. By this age, you may have enough for a sizable down payment and smaller monthly mortgage payments, and this can make you more comfortable with the idea of home ownership.

The great thing about real estate is that it hardly ever decreases in value. So investing in property today means that, in a few more years, it will be worth even more. Along the way, you can always sell, upgrade, and downgrade as needed.

Start Trading

Investing in the stock market is another great way to watch your money grow in your 30s. Have an emergency fund and savings account available, and then consider taking some of your savings and investing in reliable stocks that are predicted to grow.

Just as businesses can use an investment management company like IMS Broadridge, you can also find investment experts who can guide you in the right direction and manage your portfolio of stocks.

There are so many ways to prepare for a more secure future while you’re in your 30s. Starting early means that you can rest assured you’ll be able to settle down and start a family while also meeting all of your other personal and professional needs and goals. So go ahead and invest in as much as you can today.