However, since I had coached this family before I listened politely as she breathlessly told me of this incredible financial opportunity and how they were seriously considering taking the $5,000 they had worked to save for over a year and invest it with this one company. I then calmly asked, “Okay, but have you and your husband maxed out your IRA contributions for this year?” There was a pregnant pause on the other end before she meekly said, “Um. No.” “Well, before I would spend dime one on any investment, I would make sure that I had made use of the maximum allowable contributions to all the tax advantaged accounts the federal government gives us.” I then asked her to call her accountant about what sorts of retirement accounts were available to them and verify what the allowable amounts were and to contribute to those first before launching all their savings into this other organization.