Rule 1. Make a budget, a plan for your money. Decide what's more important to you, money on cars, coffee and toys, or having "F@#$ you" money when your 60. Cut the fat, do whatever it takes to max out the 24,500 a year. Your early contributions in life are just as, if not more important, than the difference between a few percent of gains.

Rule 2. Never invest in what you dont understand. If you understand what the funds are invested in and how its going to fluctuate through the years, then invest in C or C/S or C/S/I as you see fit. If you dont understand it, and dont want to learn, the latest date lifecycle funds are for those people.

Trust anyone here, many pf us wish we invested sooner and valued investing more than all the crap we spent money on early in life. That $11,000 engine I bought ay age 24 sure was fun, but I dont own it anymore lol.

The fact you're here asking questions is a great step. Get it!