Eight steps, in order

No questions, no branches — the order that fits most people most of the time. Work down the list, and stay on a step until it’s done. If your situation has a wrinkle in it, the full flowchart asks the questions this one skips.

1. Step 01

   Create a budget

   You can't direct money you haven't tracked. Income minus expenses, once, honestly.

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2. Step 02

   Get your employer match

   The only guaranteed return you will ever be offered. Contribute at least enough to take all of it.

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3. Step 03

   Pay down high-interest debt

   A 22% card is a 22% return, risk-free. Nothing you invest in reliably beats that.

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4. Step 04

   Build your emergency fund

   Three to six months of expenses in a high-yield savings account, so one bad month doesn't undo the rest.

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5. Step 05

   Max your IRA and HSA

   The best tax treatment available to you. An HSA is the only account that is untaxed going in and coming out.

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6. Step 06

   Max your 401(k)

   Past the match, keep filling it. Tax-advantaged space you skip this year cannot be claimed later.

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7. Step 07

   Mega backdoor Roth, or a 529

   Only if your plan allows after-tax contributions, or you're saving for someone's education.

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8. Step 08

   Taxable brokerage

   No contribution limit and no penalty for early access — the account for everything after the tax-advantaged ones are full.

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