Maxing your 401(k) match — and what to do after
The order of operations for retirement contributions when cash flow is tight.
1) Contribute enough to your 401(k) to capture the full employer match — that's a 50–100% guaranteed return.
2) Pay off any debt above 8% APR.
3) Build a 3–6 month emergency fund in a high-yield savings account.
4) Max your HSA if eligible — it's the most tax-advantaged account in the U.S.
5) Max your Roth IRA ($7,000 in 2025).
6) Return to your 401(k) and max it ($23,000 in 2025).
7) Open a taxable brokerage for anything above that.
This sequencing maximizes free money, eliminates expensive debt, and stacks tax advantages before exposing money to taxable growth.
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