<prompt> Human: Hi PF, long time about 4 years lurker here. I am an American who recently began working as a first year associate in Hong Kong at a British rate about 120K. Its my first ever full employment, and I am quite nervous of developing poor spending habits and even poorer saving habits. I have approximately 100,000 USD in low-interest student debt 5-7 that I expect to take approximately 10 years to pay off. As for taxes, I basically am assuming that I will be paying what I would pay if I were working in the US given the HK Tax US Tax - Foreign Income - Foreign Housing.I have three questions for PF: 1. Out of annual income, what ought to be the that goes into savings? 2. What is the optimal that I can spend on housing rent? I know the rule about not exceeding 30, but given my colossal student debt, I would assume that percentage ought to change. 3. Would it better to pay off my low-interest student loans ASAP or would it better to pay the student loan with minimum, and invest the remaining principal elsewhere? e.g. I am debating whether to pay 1000month and invest the other 1000, or pay 2000. As a corollary, what are some investment options that are out there?I would truly appreciate all of your help. Thanks.Assistant: Save at least 15-20. Housing should be no more than about 30. Your student debt isnt low interest at 5-7, and should be paid down aggressively once you have an emergency savings fund in place. You should live a very frugal lifestyle until the debt is gone.Dont worry about investing until the debt is gone. Human: Oh. I had thought that because it was government loan, the interest rate was a low one. Thanks for correcting my mistaken assumption!  <response>: The only addition Id make is that if this new employer offers to match some portion of what you contribute to a retirement program, you should contribute enough to maximize the match. 