<prompt> Human: Im a bit embarrassed to say I have never invested. I earn 65kyear and have a side business earning 40k per year. I have 30k just sitting in 2 bank accounts. My job doesnt offer 401k matching until I turn 35 or have been there for 4 years. Should I start contributing?Im a total noob when it comes to investing and always have been afraid of losing my money simply because I dont know where its going. But I know 30k is way too much to just sit in a checking account. I dont really have time to actively monitor investments since I essentially work 2 fulltime jobs that keep me more than busy. I just want to make sure that my money has potential to grow without me having to do too much work.  <response>: Remember that a 401k is just an investment vehicle. It is not an investment and-and-of itself. Consider posting your investment options within the 401k and be sure to include the expense ratios. In short, yes, you should be investing in the 401k. You seem to have a healthy emergency savings fund. Now its time to start setting yourself up for an adequate retirement by funding the 401k. Others will comment more on the opportunities afforded to you by having a side business - I do not know the specifics.Let me ask you this, though. Is it too much work to have a certain amount of money from your pay check pre-tax automatically redirected to your 401k where it is invested in a target retirement fund that doesnt require you to ever look at it or otherwise lift a finger? I dunno... seems pretty easy to me. 