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You should also note the importance of saving for a “rainy day fund”. Remind the person that they may develop a serious health issue or have to pay unexpected expenses like car repair. They may then need to stop working for a period of time due to the health issue. Having a “rainy day fund” will ensure they are able to pay their bills even when they cannot work or can be used to cover unexpected costs.  For example, you may say, "You should have some money put aside for emergencies. This will make life less stressful for you and ensure you have financial support when you need it." Having a “rainy day fund” where you save money in the event of an emergency can also come in handy if you have a family issue or problem that you need to address in the future. If a family member becomes gravely ill, for example, and you would like to spend time with them, having money set aside will ensure you can take time off work to do this. A “rainy day fund” will also come in handy if you need to pay for an expensive medical procedure or operation due to an accident that is not covered by your insurance company. You should remind the person that having some money to fall back on can allow them to be independent and self-sufficient, even in the event of an emergency. You should discuss one of the major benefits of saving money now, while you are still working and able to work: saving for retirement. You should explain that saving money now means you can start a retirement fund and be prepared to enjoy your free time once you reach the age of retirement.  Saving for retirement from a young age allows you to take advantage of the benefits of compound interest on your savings and/or investments. Compound interest allows your investments to increase at an increasing rate over time, as interest is earned on both the original amount and the interest earned to that point. For example, if you deposit $300 per month into an account earning an average of 8 percent per year for 40 years, you will have contributed $144,000 but the account balance will be over $1,000,000.  Some jobs will offer a retirement savings plan as part of their benefits for employees, which means employees can put a portion of their paycheck towards a 401K or a retirement pension fund. You should ask the person to consider contributing to their company’s retirement plan, if possible, to save money later. Some employers may even match contributions to retirement plans, essentially offering the employee free retirement money. Retirement plan contributions to some accounts, including traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, may be tax-deductible. Saving money can also help the person achieve their career goals and invest in their future. Saved money can then be used for major purchases like a car or home. It can also be used to achieve financial independence, which gives them the freedom to live without relying on others for income.  Saving is especially important if the person does not enjoy their current job and has future career plans. They may need to pay to go back to school or to get training in a certain field. Having savings will ensure they are able to do this to better themselves and achieve their career goals.  You may get the person thinking about how money can affect their career goals by asking them, “Are you happy at your current job?” or “Do you have plans to work in another job or field in the future?” If they tell you they may want a career change at some point, you should remind them this will cost money to achieve.
Discuss the importance of an emergency fund. Outline the benefits of saving for retirement. Note how saving money expands your options.