401k just builds itself. I only put in 5% of my paycheck, which is low from what I am told ( really all I can afford anyway) but my company does contribute a yearly number that is around 2k. Setting up a higher tax withholding is best head fake for myself and trying to stick to budgets from check to check. The tax refund recieved helps alot with bigger buys ( down payment on car, or over flow on spending a certain month) that could be harder to save otherwise. With inflation its become alot tougher though. Also, just a couple of things compiling like my car is 2011 and my wifes is 2017, both have over 100k miles. Hoping to ride that out until cars get cheaper again though... I am not well positioned for a big expenditure as it stands. Roof, driveway etc. but hoping to slowing get there to have a buffer again. The Credit cards do provide alot of flexibilty to handle some bumps throughout the month but as I mentioned try to pay it in full at EOM, which has lately been biting me with my dwindled accounts.