Prepare for a worry-free future

I’m a 48 year old woman. I have a good job making $36,000 annually however I just recently got this job. My other jobs were not near this financially therefore I didn’t get a opportunity to try and put money aside for retirement. Are there any investment companies out there that will not cheat me and are legal. I would like to hear from them and especially women who started putting aside a little late like me that now have something to fall back on. I don’t know where to start and who to trust. Can someone who has been in my position tell me how they did it. I just need some advice from anyone who has. Thank-you kindly in advance.

At 21, with no current college credits, what would I be better off doing?

1. Enrolling in college as soon as possible, then trying to save as much as I can after graduation, living in a low rent place and being frugal

2. Postponing college for another year, working a full-time job or a full-time and a part-time both, then putting all of that money (since I have no current expenses, rent, etc.) into mutual funds and a Roth IRA, and letting it sit through my 4 to 8 years of college (until about age 40 or 45), adding at least $2,000 a year after that (much more if I make more)

3. Postponing college for 2 more years instead of one, and putting between $20,000 and $40,000 into mutual funds, etc., and pulling out some of that for graduate or medical school if I end up going that route, then starting to invest mainly after graduation and residency, about 10 years from now

Which one is the smartest route, financially? Thanks.
I mean, step one does sound best to a lot of people. But I know that what you invest before 25 has a huge impact.

I am considering changing jobs and was thinking about taking an estimated $100,000 out of my 401K and investing it into additional real estate. I presently have 3 income properties, two of which are free and clear but need about $20,000 in improvements and the other is occopied with an appraisal of $36,000 and an equity loan balance of $4,000.

In my targeted area, I can possible purchase two additional income properties and because I am a licenced contractor and doing all the work myself , I figure i’m saving money on the improvements.

I understand the penalties of cashing out my 401 K but also think there are some advantages to investing the money in real estate. I think I can increase my assets while making some additional money by using the money in my 401 k instead of trying to borrow from a bank.

Any advice on the advantages or disadvantages

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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: MINORITY OPPORTUNITIES AND THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN