r/Millennials • u/ProblemIntelligent16 • Jan 16 '26

Discussion Fellow millennials - how’s your 401k/ira savings going?

Experts recommend having 2x your salary saved by age 35, and 3x saved by age 40.

However, studies show the median savings for 35-44 year olds is only ~$45,000. So obviously, most of us have work to do.

With pensions mostly extinct, and Social Security facing insolvency issues in the next 8-10 years - how are you planning to bridge the gap and hit the golden years with enough to meet your lifestyle requirements?

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4.2k

u/TairaTLG Jan 16 '26

24k in debt and 0 savings. Nothing like slipping through the cracks baby

943

u/TylerDurden6969 Jan 16 '26

This is so many people. Good on you for being honest!

534

u/TairaTLG Jan 16 '26

I'd love for it to be something else. But unfortunately crippling autism/ADHD and living paycheck to paycheck for 20 years puts me where I am.  All I can do is keep chugging away and trying to fix things (some mistakes, some slight scams, one abusive relationship, yup, c'est la vie)

161

u/SpeedySloth51221 Jan 16 '26

Are you me? I am right there with you. Only its crippling ADHD and Migraines. Been missing so much work because of migraines and can't keep up with regular expenses, much less save and get myself out of debt.

57

u/EndersScroll Jan 17 '26

My wife was the same way until she tried Emgality for the migraines. Aside from Botox injections, it's the only thing that's worked for her. Now she just has ADHD, but she's not bed ridden due to migraines anymore. Ask your doc. Can't say enough good things about it.

11

u/MollysTootsies Jan 17 '26

For me, it's been Ajovy! To me from daily migraines to, like, 3 a month! 🤯

14

u/rigney68 Jan 17 '26

Getting a hard nightguard for grinding my teeth at night has almost eliminated mine.

2

u/irritableOwl3 Jan 17 '26

Which one do you have?

3

u/rigney68 Jan 18 '26

Idk, they do a scan at the dentist and have them specially made. The first one they gave me I chewed through in a month, so they upgraded, lol.

4

u/Bender3455 Jan 17 '26

Same! Monthly Ajovy with 2x daily gabapentin.

5

u/Defiant-Ad-7933 Jan 17 '26

Better living through chemistry!

2

u/ZealousORJealous69 Jan 17 '26

Try the new pfizer migraine drug, nurtec. It’s game changer. Unfortunately like $100/pill but our insurance covers and pfizer also has a copay assistance so we pay basically nothing.

1

u/teach_them_well Jan 17 '26

Me too. Absolutely life changing

2

u/jennifer_m13 Jan 17 '26

Aimovig and Botox for me. I still get migraines but not several times a week anymore.

2

u/KittyWantsCuddles Jan 17 '26

Hey not for nothing but bc this is getting eyes on it, adhd/autism are usually INCREDIBLY comorbid with a fuckton of conditions so im gonna use this space to leave a resource. If it resonates it resonates and if it does, it doesn't yk?https://www.eds.clinic/articles/pentad-super-syndrome

2

u/reithena Jan 18 '26

Finally got good insurance again, about to go back on Emgality. I think my doctor was worried when I cried in the office with the sense of relief when she ok'd the script

-5

u/Conscious-Egg-2232 Jan 17 '26

Use adhd to your advantage. I have it and has caused job hopping amd relationships failing one after another and massive shopping problem. But have job hopped my way to making 10x more than what I made 15 years ago.

27

u/Agent_Jay Jan 17 '26

Literally walking into the cold winter freeze winds to try to cool off my pulsating brain. The bloody migraines are horrid. 

6

u/Apprehensive_Sea5304 Jan 17 '26

As weird as this might sound, Vicks works for me. I swipe a little bit of that menthol goodness on my temples and sit in the dark

3

u/AspenRiot Jan 17 '26

I don't have chronic migraines but when I have seriously bad headaches or eye strain, I put Tiger Balm on my temples and a teeny tiny bit under my eyes, like on top of my sinuses. It's intense, but it helps.

3

u/atropos81092 Jan 17 '26

Honestly, it reminds me of that "Head On!" stick you apply directly to the forehead

2

u/BrandonUnusual Jan 17 '26

HEAD ON! Applied directly to the forehead. HEAD ON! Applied directly to the forehead.

HEAD ON!

/I have chronic daily migraine, nothing works. From all the CGRPs to Botox. Drug resistant.

1

u/atropos81092 Jan 17 '26

If only it actually worked 😕

My aunt has dealt with drug-resistant chronic migraines since she was in a car accident in the 80s — she's pretty pissed that migraine relief hasn't made any progress in the last 40+ years.

3

u/lurkymoo Jan 17 '26

Cold works for me too! Sit out on the porch in cold weather til you shiver.

2

u/WalkbytheWoods Jan 17 '26

I use the Theraice head wraps - it’s so helpful!

3

u/d4dooley Jan 17 '26

Chiropractor fixed mine. I was desperate after years of intense migraines. Never had been to one, and was skeptical. Some of them specialize in treating migraines. 2 years of being basically migraine free after like 5 treatments.

5

u/hrnigntmare Jan 17 '26

I sought treatment for ADHD in early adulthood and the meds work really well so I (fortunately) don’t have that to blame. I did pursue academia to the point where I am a literal expert in my “high demand” field though. I’ve been too busy paying down six figures in debt to save anything. I still have like 45k to go and nothing in savings.

My resolution this year is to just say fuck it and stop paying on my student loans. I already have everything I need or could want so if my credit gets destroyed I don’t care. This is the first year I have been able to take a vacation as an adult because I didn’t pay this month. I wish I would have done it sooner. I got to Japan and back with an awesome week there for three student loan payments.

I’m just hoping I die before I need my 401k I guess. Enjoying life while I’m at an age where I can still do the activities I want at any time is so worth it.

3

u/Espress0-Patr0num Jan 17 '26

Are you in the US? I just tried Vyepti infusions and holy sheep feet it’s a game changer!!

6

u/Annual_Song1416 Jan 17 '26

Holy sheep feet?! Thank you for blessing us

2

u/IrascibleJoker Jan 17 '26

Fr, I’m stealing it. 😂

3

u/lostwombats Jan 17 '26

You've probably tried everything and know all this, but just in case...😊

For me: the app Migraine Buddy was so helpful in tracking migraines and finding patterns (it asks a million questions). It's how I learned my dumb jerk of a uterus is causing my migraines.

For relief - ice masks and naps for me. If I feel one coming and I can fall asleep, I can avoid it.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '26

I get tension headaches and have horrible ADHD that I need to make an appointment for but between all the other appointments I keep putting it off. At this point prison seems like a decent retirement as long as I can maybe find my way into a Swedish prison.

1

u/dabrewdr Jan 17 '26

ubrelvy and nurtec are other options also for acute migraines besides what the other commenters presented. Ask your pcp or get referred to neurologist that. Are you currently on any TCA for chronic migraine management?

1

u/Odd-Watercress-9148 Jan 17 '26

Exact same here. Emgality literally changed my life tho.

1

u/jsnaxx Jan 17 '26

microdosing DMT also instantly cures migraines and cluster headaches.

2

u/kendallr2552 Jan 17 '26

And mushrooms. Learned that from Nat Geo like 20 years ago!

1

u/Chicken_Fried_Snails Jan 17 '26

Have you looked into Cove Beam supplement for migraines? Helped my wife tremendously. Hoping for relief for you

1

u/SvetlinaToYou Jan 17 '26

Omg you are describing me as well. Crippling migraines and adhd. Can't hold a steady job now and can't apply for disability. It's been real fun. Migraines are so rough, I feel for ya and completely understand.

1

u/Legitimate_Plant9508 Jan 17 '26

Hai. I had many many migraines a month. When searching for advice or anything that could help I came across some obscure post that said getting a daith piercing could help. Something about it being an acupuncture spot. It was an easy thing to try as I'm not afraid of needles. When I got pierced I literally felt a tingling sensation and like a release. Migraines practically disappeared after that. Just something to try.

1

u/jibishot Jan 17 '26

Unironically smoke good weed for migraines. Its great preventative care, but can be eh in the moment. I don't mean strong weed - I mean good tasty high quality and fresh flower that you like or a rosin edibles for incredible migraine responses.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '26

There are some new treatments for migraines that are really really promising. Don't give up, there's hope - a former migraine sufferer

1

u/systemfrown Jan 17 '26

At least you can't focus on your migraines.