Just landed a new job at a tech startup. I'm trying to decide if I should pay off my federal student loan ($17k @ 3.8% fixed) or max out 401k with 4% match for the remainder of this year.
Unless you really think that you are borderline unemployable I would max out the 401k. Maxing out the 401k will also reduce your AGI which may or may not bring your taxable income down enough to deduct the interest paid on the loan.
Of course, it never hurts to have an emergency fund for if you are laid off.
I'm curious I'm about to close on a home and rates are low. Would you apply the same ethos on not making extra payments on a low rate mortage?
Yes.
Me too, unless you are paying mortgage insurance in which case getting 20~22% home equity might make sense.