First time poster here! I'm 28, live in San Diego, and make $91,500/year. In mid-2017 I got on the early-retirement train and since then have been maxing out my employee pre-tax retirement plans, paying down my student loans, and now starting to build up some savings. My husband and I both max out our FSA (he has a Dr. note to use FSA for personal training/gym expenses) and I am dealing with complicated knee issues, so that should be money well spent this year.
Here are my applicable stats:
Savings: 5k, working on getting back up to 10k where I like it
Checking: 1k
Investments:
Vanguard Traditional IRA (rollover from previous employer): $38k
Vanguard Roth IRA (rollover from previous employer): $400
Employer-sponsored 457 (basically like a 401k for government employees): 17k
Employee-sponsored 401a (employer only contributions of 90$/month): 1k
I also contribute to CalPERS (pension) but can't start reaping the benefits of that at age 52 (ideally older to get the max. benefit factor). I still haven't quite figured out how a pension works with early retirement…assuming I would want to retire much earlier than 52?? Anyone have input on this?
…Anyways, I've got everything at vanguard in VTSAX and everything at the employee-sponsored plan in Broad Market Index funds (input on this would be appreciated as well, I'm kind of winging it here.)
Debts:
Mortgage (I own the house with my husband, currently valued at 525k): ~400k @ 3.75%
Student Loan: 18k @ 5%
Other than my debts, health, and basic living expenses, I modify my spending based on my investing/savings goals for the year. I'm really looking for some advice on what to do with the rest of my money at this point. This will be the first year that maxing out my pre-tax retirement account will feel easy for me, so I want to make sure I stay on top of spending creep and put all my leftover money into something good.
Some things I'm considering: maxing out my Roth IRA, paying down student loans (although I would like to keep my cash somewhat liquid), saving up to invest in real estate (either short term or long term, but not sure if I'm ready for the risk of REI yet). Is there anything else I should consider? I feel like I may get stuck in paralysis analysis if I try to figure out which of these options would be the best, I think I just need to go with one.
All advice is appreciated! Thanks!