How much money are you putting in your 401-ks?

Hear me out. I don't care much for a fancy lifestyle...just want decent house, put my kids through college, and keep myself entertained with cheap hobbies. I sure as hell am not going to be one of those Street lifers. If all goes well, I can realistically be done before 50. So should I even bother putting money in my 401-k if I have to wait a decade or longer to take it all out? I can save money on a mortgage downpayment and invest in my personal account anyways so it doesn't seem like a huge loss. Thoughts?

5 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some key points to consider regarding your 401k contributions:

  1. Roth IRA vs. 401k:

    • Prioritize Roth IRA contributions before maxing out your 401k unless you're certain about going to grad school. The Roth IRA is especially valuable if your 401k contributions push you into a higher tax bracket (above $91K in taxable income).
  2. Emergency Savings:

    • Ensure you have six to twelve months of emergency savings before focusing heavily on retirement accounts.
  3. Home Downpayment:

    • If you're planning to buy a home, it's crucial to save for a downpayment. The advantages of owning a home with a substantial downpayment may outweigh the benefits of maxing out your 401k.
  4. Investment Strategy:

    • If you're concerned about market volatility, consider a diversified portfolio within your 401k, such as 30% cash and 70% stocks. This allows you to take advantage of tax-free growth while maintaining some liquidity.
  5. Retirement Contributions Order:

    • Recommended order for retirement contributions:
      1. Get employer 401k match (free money).
      2. Contribute to Roth IRA.
      3. Max out 401k.
  6. Tax Considerations:

    • Traditional 401k contributions provide immediate tax savings but are taxed upon withdrawal. Roth contributions are taxed now but offer tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Consider your current tax rate versus your expected tax rate at retirement.
  7. Liquidity Needs:

    • If you need liquidity for a downpayment or other expenses, you might reduce 401k and IRA contributions temporarily.
  8. Long-term Planning:

    • Even if you plan to retire early, having a well-funded 401k can provide financial security and flexibility in the long run.

In summary, balancing your 401k contributions with other financial goals like emergency savings and a home downpayment is essential. Prioritize employer matches and Roth IRA contributions, and consider your liquidity needs and tax situation when deciding how much to contribute to your 401k.

Sources: How much do you put into your 401k?, How much do you contribute to your 401k?, The Last "what should I do with my money?" Thread (hopefully), Plan on Buying a House in 3 Years - What to Invest in Until Then, When Should You Start Saving for Retirement?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Yeah it will still be useful to have after the normal retirement age. Just make sure you save enough in taxable accounts to bridge the gap between any early retirement and regular retirement.

You will be able to save more for a house now if you forego the 401k but maybe you will not need the accelerated savings. In 5-10 years I bet you can just save enough cash to be fine.

 

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