Originally Posted By: Irishguy
Originally Posted By: AU7MM08
As some know I recently started my first post-grad job.

The company matches 5% for 401K investments, so I just put 5% on the form as I would be a fool to pass up free money.
I am thinking of upping that to maybe 10%, I believe the cap is 15%.
The earlier it gets in, the longer it will have to compound up is my thinking.
Another bonus is that it will also reduce my taxable income.

I have approximately $8,500 in student loans to pay back at an interest rate of 4%.
Planning on being fairly aggressive on repayment, thinking $800ish per month as I hate the idea of paying interest.

One of my first priorities is to get an emergency fund built up.
That is an absolute must.

I don't plan on purchasing a house at least for likely 3-5 years as home might be bouncing around abit.
My current monthly rent($400ish) is such that I don't believe I could justify purchasing a house with how little I am home.

That said, I am also thinking of maybe other investments.
A rental property here in Auburn would seem like a good idea.

Any input or am I pretty much on track?
I'm open to sound suggestions.


1. Emergency fund of a couple thousand at first and then 6 months salary as soon as you can.

2. 401k up to employer matching = Free money.

3. Pay off loans.

4. Roth IRA at your age. My son is in college, but just got a full time gig at a tech company that is about equal to an internship, but better. I got him starting to invest 10% into a Roth IRA at www.betterment.com because there was no minimum to start with.

Not a bad idea to just rent for awhile, home ownership is not the great investment it once was, plus there are a lot of unexpected costs associated with home ownership.

So yeah, you are on the right track.


I use betterment and I'm satisfied with the platform so far. Set it and forget it.


It is easier to fool a man than to convince him he has been fooled.