You know who you are! The tax return remains defiantly unfinished. The IRA remains unfunded. And with the passing of days your dread grows larger and your shame grows deeper.

“April 15th is almost here!” you wail. “What if I don’t max out my IRA in time?… I’m just so busy!”

Swat that monkey off your back. Image Source: National Geographic

We hear you! Doing your taxes stinks. Plus you have far better – or more pressing – things to do. We know this.

But… spend a second with the graph below. That’s the difference between maxing out your IRA before April 15 (and doing it every year), and not doing it at all.

Returns are calculated based on an annual rate of 8% and a yearly contribution of $5,000. That could be half a million of your money, not going to work. So swat that monkey off your back. Find five minutes in the next ten days. Do your taxes. And fund your IRA, or open a new one. And if you’re feeling super organized, you can max it out for 2013 early, and increase returns by$705.00.  You can also rollover your 401(k) to an IRA in just a few minutes. Promise!