Which should I prioritize this year: 401(k), Roth IRA, or extra student loan payments?
I'm trying to get my finances in better shape this year and could use a sanity check on what to tackle first.
Quick facts about me:
- 31, single
- Salary: $92k
- Emergency fund: $18k in a high-yield savings account
- 401(k): $24k balance, currently contributing 6% to get the full employer match (employer matches 50% up to 6%)
- Roth IRA: $0 (haven't opened one yet)
- Student loans: $27k total (about $12k at 6.1% and $15k at 4.3%)
- No credit card debt, car is paid off
- Rent + utilities: roughly $2,100/month
I can realistically free up about $700-$900/month after bills and normal spending (I keep entertainment cheap - mostly board game nights at home).
What I'm trying to decide how to allocate that extra money:
-
Bump my 401(k) contributions above the match
-
Open and fund a Roth IRA (I could probably max it if I prioritize it)
-
Make extra payments toward the 6.1% student loan first
I know the usual rules of thumb, but I'm on the fence - is 6.1% high enough to aggressively pay down instead of investing more for retirement? Also, should I add to my emergency fund above $18k before doing any of the above?
If you were in my shoes, what order would you prioritize these in and why?
Posted Feb 28, 2026, 1:20 PM UTC