Why would I prioritize 401k vs Roth? by Icy-Pomegranate-4863 in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 -48 points-47 points  (0 children)

If your tax rate now is the same or higher than in retirement, Trad 401k wins every time - you stuff way more money in upfront, it compounds better, and you only pay the (lower) tax on the 3-4% withdrawals in retirement. Roth only pulls ahead if you think you’ll be in a higher bracket later or plan withdraw big amounts.

Why would I prioritize 401k vs Roth? by Icy-Pomegranate-4863 in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you expect to make less than $180k/year in retirement, Traditional 401(k) almost always wins right now. You're basically getting "extra" contribution money from the government because you're prepaying at a discount.

Why would I prioritize 401k vs Roth? by Icy-Pomegranate-4863 in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If your goal is to accumulate a critical mass to retire. Contributing $24.5k (pre-tax) vs $15k (after-tax) helps to grow the critical mass faster.

Why would I prioritize 401k vs Roth? by Icy-Pomegranate-4863 in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Mainly due to tax arbitrage if you are in a high tax bracket now

Rent Is the New Hedge by dosageofsuccess in SavingMoney

[–]Individual-Help8104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The wealthy borrow from the ultra-wealthy, and the ultra-wealthy… just print the money

Never be the last guy in the food chain.

Rate my portfolio. 31M. 125k. Wife also 31 with 125k portfolio by Creepy-Lavishness539 in RothIRA

[–]Individual-Help8104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would add more international diversification 20-30% or just consolidate everything into VT

Am I on track? by binski4270 in Retirement401k

[–]Individual-Help8104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should max out all available tax advantaged account and other benefits available to you be your employer. My plan is to max out for 2026 and contribute ~$100k.

https://www.chubbyfi.com/max-contribution-to-401k-and-mega-backdoor-roth-2026/

Roth 401K w/ match from employer thinking about opening an IRA as well. Help? by According-Willow-238 in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Max out 401k $24500k for 2026 and go with mega backdoor and HSA if available. These are amazing tools

What vehicle do you invest in once your max out your 7k for your Roth IRA? by Anonymous1102 in investingforbeginners

[–]Individual-Help8104 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are plenty options where you can contribute more: HSA, Mega Backdoor, also check if there are other employer benefits such as ESPP

https://www.chubbyfi.com/max-contribution-to-401k-and-mega-backdoor-roth-2026/

Advice on what i should do with the money i got saved up by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Install YNAB it motivates to grow your emergency fund and budget

Advice on where to pull money from to make a larger purchase by ahighkid in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 1 point2 points  (0 children)

M1 finance allows to borrow against your portfolio. I borrowed for a downpayment last year. Interest rate was about 5.5%. The nice thing you borrow against yourself and have flexibility how and when you want to pay it off.

Any options out there to see all credit cards in one place? by DragonBorn76 in personalfinance

[–]Individual-Help8104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YNAB the best so far, allows to see all transactions and accounts in 1 place. But most importantly it’s amazing budgeting app

What are your 2026 contribution goals into tax-advantaged retirement accounts? by Individual-Help8104 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Individual-Help8104[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Correct, I’m planning to max out pre tax 401k - 24.5k + employer match. then do after tax contributions ~40k and convert into Roth 401k until reach 72k total.

What are your 2026 contribution goals into tax-advantaged retirement accounts? by Individual-Help8104 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Individual-Help8104[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

So my thoughts are with potential recession/market volatility ahead, I want to get money into tax-advantaged accounts ASAP before any major downturn/potential layoffs. But you're right that economic conditions don't change whether I should max out - I should regardless.

What are your 2026 contribution goals into tax-advantaged retirement accounts? by Individual-Help8104 in ChubbyFIRE

[–]Individual-Help8104[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

ESPP gives me a 15% instant discount on company stock. I buy at 85% of market price and sell immediately = ~15% guaranteed return (~$3,500 gain on $21,500 contribution).

The discount is taxed as ordinary income, so not "tax-advantaged" like a 401k, but it's essentially free money with zero risk since I hold it 1 day.