How do I set up automatic investing so I don't have to think about it?

Automatic investing means scheduling recurring transfers from your bank into your brokerage and, ideally, into specific funds, so you invest on a fixed cadence regardless of the market. Set it up in three steps: link your bank account, create a recurring deposit (say $500 on payday), and turn on automatic investment into a chosen fund so the cash doesn't sit idle. This enforces dollar-cost averaging — you buy more shares when prices are low and fewer when high — and removes the temptation to time the market. Inside a 401(k), this already happens through payroll; in an IRA or taxable account, you set it up yourself. Align the schedule with your paychecks so the money leaves before you spend it. To find a contribution amount that fits your goals, try our retirement planner at wealthserene.com/tools/retirement-planner.