Navigating a lifelong work roadmap weaves a personal tale, which can include stretches of growth and may have bumps along the way.

More than half of Americans have taken a break at some point during their career, and 35% would consider one down the road.¹

No matter the stage of your career, keeping an eye on the long view can pay off: Check out these ways to manage your money along the way and help avoid slowdowns in your savings journey.

Set and don’t forget your budget

The inventory of U.S. workers has been seeing recent shifts. A record 22.9 million Americans were voluntarily working part time in March 2024, and more women ages 25-54 are employed now than ever before.² 

Others in the job market are choosing to both live – and work – long and prosper: With 4.1 million U.S. adults set to turn 65 this year, some older workers are staying on the scene. Nearly 20% of Americans ages 65 and older were employed in 2023 – nearly double the share of those working 35 years ago.³

Even as your work setup may change, a budget can be a steady tool to help ground you. The 50/30/20 budget is a popular approach that accounts for your needs, wants, and savings.

Also leaving some cash for a cushion could protect both your wealth and your earning potential: Empower research found that 21% of Americans have no emergency savings — money that’s socked away for unexpected financial events like a car repair or medical bill.

Bring family along for the ride

Money can become a family affair as your career changes: With the percentage of adult children living at home having surged more than 87% over the past two decades, finances can come into play regardless of the familial role you’re in.

Many workers are also juggling double duty beyond the job. It’s estimated that 29 million Americans work while also caring for an adult family member,⁴ and in 2023, at least one parent worked in nearly 92% of U.S. families with children under 18.⁵

With only 6 in 10 people knowing their own net worth, managing family finances (and setting aside some cash for yourself) can get more complex with multiple incomes in the mix. Having honest money conversations with loved ones now can build visibility for day-to-day household budgeting and savings goals.

Load up key documents and accounts

Transparency also applies to the workplace: Whether you’re switching jobs or building tenure at one company, careers can go hand in hand with logistics and paperwork. Staying on top of finance-related tasks from the human-resources department (like completing a W-4) and organizing important information from the get-go can set you up for a smoother ride come tax season.

Keeping paystubs at the ready may come in handy, as earnings that hit unevenly during a calendar year could set off a need to file estimated taxes. Any related penalties could require you to call upon your savings to cover the expense.

With 37% of people planning to put more money into employer-sponsored retirement plans in 2024, it’s also important not to lose sight of what you may have saved during previous jobs. Working now to find old 401(k) accounts can help you retain access to the funds.

Keep retirement in view

At any life stage, retirement is just one piece in a worker’s overall financial plan: Gen Z says they’re thinking about retirement starting at age 23 – a good seven years earlier than the average American (at age 30). 

The type of jobs you hold over time could also adjust your retirement savings toolkit: 401(k) plans can come in different setups. Depending on your employment situation, you may need to become familiar with the inner workings of SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and solo 401(k)s, too. 

If your employer offers 401(k) matching, take a deep dive into the policies, as contributions in addition to your own could help accelerate your retirement savings. For example, if a plan has a vesting schedule, employees may forfeit some or all of the matching contributions if an employee leaves the company before a certain amount of time has passed. This is known as vesting. 

Seeing your income shift over time can be a balancing act, as your work history can rewrite another retirement equation. Brush up on the power of paychecks, as Social Security benefits are tied to your (or your spouse’s) highest 35 years of earnings. 

Staying the course

Building and expanding your career can benefit your savings and lifestyle, and keeping a good grasp on the moving parts can keep you on the financial road to success.