<prompt> Human: Hi I turn 30 this year and have nothing saved for retirement. My company doesnt offer a 401k, I opened a Roth IRA last year and put In 4k.. i know Im seriously behind, but what can I do? Even if I maxed out my Roth every year for the next 10 years, that would give me 55k, or the next 20 years that would give me 110k. That doesnt seem like much to retire on? If Im relying solely on my Ira retire, would it even be possible?  <response>: Other than the math which, as others are pointing out, you are ignoring compound interest, which will definitely be your friend, it seems like you are having a bit of anxiety about the size of the task in front of you. Dont let your fear that you are already behind in your mind keep you from starting. The key to saving is just to start saving. Dont worry too much right now about whether you will be able to retire on the full amount, regardless of the math right now, that is really far in the future and you dont know what the market or government policies will do between now and then. The size of the problem could make you want to avoid dealing with it. Think of it like a marathon. Marathons are grueling, but the hardest thing Ive found is usually thinking about how much longer you have to go. To get over that, runners will use a sight goal, something visible you can run to. That breaks it up psychologically and makes it feel much more manageable.So, rather than worrying right now about the next ten years, just focus on seeing if you can max the Roth this year. Or if you cannot, focus on beating the amount you put in last year. That should hopefully feel more attainable and be more immediately rewarding. 