<prompt> Human: Im currently 22. I started working at my current, first full time job in August 2014. Finally acting like an adult and planning for my future, Ive realized I want to start contributing to my 401k through my job. My mother is on board and insisting I get enrolled right away, but my BF is against me enrolling. He insists I dont make enough that its even worth contributing. My argument is that even if I only have 1k in my 401k at the end of this year, thats still 1k, his argument is that once I get started in my real career and make at least 50k, Ill realize how 1k isnt anything. Im currently going to school for Massage Therapy, and will be graduating at the end of this year and hopefully starting at a new job in the new year making more than I do now at an office job. Before taxes, I annually earn about 30k. My company wont match anything until Ive been with them for 2 years. I want to start contributing 7, which would be about 80 each paycheck to my 401k. Even if I match 10, thatd only be 115 that I could probably get used to not having each paycheck. My monthly take home is about 1700. I recently bought a car, loan still has 17300. -400 for car paymentover paying to get loan down refinanced. -200 to my mom for my half of car insurance cell phone bill. -180 for myself for gas.commute 1hr both ways -150 that Ive started putting into savings every month. -100 to payback on a family member loan. That leaves 650 every month, and although I probably buy more clothing fast food than I should, I feel like Im justified in starting my 401k now. Im still learning to practice better spending habits. What do you think PF? edit: forgot to add, started my savingsemergency fund in December, and currently have 600 in there.  <response>: The earlier you start the better.. a small amount now will equal a much greater amount after years of compound interest. 