Start now. You’re never too young to plan for retirement. Start by saving 10 percent of your monthly salary for retirement, or even just a small amount from every paycheck. Take advantage of company 401(k) plans, and automate your deposits so you don’t forget.

Don’t dip into savings. Once you start saving for retirement, consider the money gone for now. Don’t keep it in the back of your mind as part of your available savings, because you’ll be too tempted to tap into your retirement fund for trips, cars, houses and other big-money purchases.

Stash the shoebox. Keeping financial records in a shoebox or an envelope in your desk might be fine while you’re in college, but once paychecks and bills start rolling in, it’s just a disorganized mess. Take the time to plan out a proper filing system so you know where all your money is at all times and how much you’ve saved for retirement. Your bank account will thank you.

So much for Social Security. Social Security’s future isn’t so secure. As life expectancy increases in the U.S., Social Security funds decrease. You can’t plan on government checks once you retire, because there might not be any money left. Don’t make that mistake with your own retirement money.

Time for a change. Don’t get stuck in a rut. Economists say people don’t plan for retirement because they’ve formed habits and are resistant to change. Setting up retirement accounts might seem like a daunting process, but once the paperwork’s done and you’ve automated your deposits, your smarter habits will be worth the hassle.