Your 20s are a decade of exploration and early decisions – the point where financial literacy, investing habits and pension choices quietly start shaping what comes next.
Make Every Decade Count is built on financial decade thinking: viewing life in 10-year chapters that give you space to grow, change direction and make meaningful progress over time. With that in mind, here’s a practical checklist of the key financial actions to consider in your 20s.
Build financial literacy and confidence
• Build your financial understanding using trusted resources
• Take our Investing Masterclass to strengthen financial understanding and confidence
• Ask for advice early, rather than leaving decisions drift onto autopilot
Know your day-to-day financial health – and start saving
• Know your numbers: what comes in and what goes out each month
• Build an emergency fund, even if it’s modest to start with
• Save regularly and automate it, so it happens without thinking
• Understand your payslip and what’s going to tax, PRSI and pension contributions
• Get into the habit of checking your accounts regularly
Start investing – remember, you don’t need to be an expert
• Learn the basics: investment assets, risk, volatility and long-term thinking
• Stay informed about financial news – read the latest views from our experts here
• Begin investing, even small amounts – time is your biggest advantage, and compounding has years to work
Get pension aware early
• Understand the basics: My Future Fund (the new auto-enrolment pension scheme), vs an occupational pension, and additional voluntary contributions (AVCs)
• Check the pension terms in every employment contract you sign
• Start contributing as soon as you can – even small amounts make a difference later on
Align money with your life
• Factor in travel, career shifts or further study
• Accept that your priorities will evolve
Set your future financial goals
• Set a 10-year intention: one clear goal for “future you” (freedom, travel, buying a home, career pivot)
• Check in once a year: adjust as life shifts – decade thinking gives you room to grow and change direction.
Your 20s are about building awareness, habits and confidence, so future decisions feel easier.
If you have a financial query, you can contact Goodbody’s all-female advisory team at [email protected] or visit www.goodbody.ie.