During the dark, cold days of January you may be sitting at your computer or parked in front of your TV watching the games...it's a perfect time to take 5 minutes and set up a Roth IRA!  It's simple- just head over to one of the brokerage houses, Schwab, Vanguard, TD Ameritrade or Fidelity (sure you can use use your advisor, bank or credit union) and establish a new IRA if you don't have one. You'll type in your personal information and add your bank routing and account info...fund it with a few bucks.

 The contribution limit for IRA accounts in 2013 is $5,500.00. You don't have to contribute that much and you're not required to fund it each year.

It's a perfect retirement account and can be use for emergencies..your contributions can come out at any time.  Remember it's a after- tax IRA (unlike your pre-tax 401k)...all of your withdrawals will be tax free!