Which account to fill first
A rough consensus order, and the reasoning behind each step:
1. Emergency fund — before investing anything. Without it, the first surprise forces you to sell at the worst moment.
2. 401(k) to the full match — an instant 50–100% return. Nothing else on this list competes.
3. High-interest debt — paying off 20% APR is a guaranteed 20% return, better than any expected market return.
4. HSA — if eligible. Triple tax-free.
5. Roth or Traditional IRA — your choice of tax timing.
6. Max the 401(k) — beyond the match.
7. Taxable brokerage — unlimited, flexible, taxed as you go.
Why order matters more than picks: the gap between step 2 and step 7 is larger than the gap between a good fund and a great one.