f your employer offers a 401(k) or other workplace retirement savings plan, it might also match a percentage of your contributions up to, for example, 4% or 6% of your salary. This is free money, but the only way to get it is to sign up and contribute to the account. Unless investing that much would prevent you from being able to afford necessities, Jacobs almost always suggests putting enough money in your 401(k) to get the full match