<prompt> Human: Hi guys, first time poster and I want to say how much I love this subreddit.I am a 28 year old male bringing home about 42kyear pre-tax. My GF brings in about 27kyear. I live in the Boston suburbs where the cost of renting is about 1200 for a 2 bedroom. I contribute 6 of my paycheck to my 401k to max the match of my employer and I have never made a Roth IRA contribution. I currently live with my GFs parents with no rent but we are looking to start renting within the month while we continue to explore buying a home. After moving, I expect my monthly cash outlflow to be about 2200 take home is about 2500 including my current debt payments and my 401k match. My debt is as follows:10k 2.14 variable OSLA student loans5k 6.5 fixed OSLA student loans7k 0 18 after intro expires credit card debtI have 32k in a savingsinvestments here:20k Emergency in ING Savings this is potentially too much?12k in Schwab Broad and International ETFsIncome: 42kyear, 2400ishmo take homeRetirement: Just started contributing 6 to 401k for employer matchRoth IRA: NoneSoon to be monthly outflows: 2100ish including debt and 401k contributionsIndustry: IT DILEMA 1: TO BUY OR NOT TO BUYNow my brain tells me to buy a home while the rates are rock bottom, but part of me doesnt even want to buy a house and rent while my career advances and I can be less tied down. The financier in me thinks that I would be missing a grand opportunity by not buying. What are your thoughts on that in general super vague I know? I have a bit of a conflict here as I have difficulty with committing to buying a home but missing the opportunity may be too great. What are your thoughts on renting v buying?If buying is a must, should I pay some of the debt down or should I put a larger down payment down? I feel as though the cost of money is so cheap right now that I would want to borrow the maximum, although I would like to hear the arguments for minimizing future monthly cash outflows as well.Take home question: Is buying a home right now an absolute must from a financial standpoint? Is putting the maximum possible as a down payment a bad idea given the low rates? DILEMA 2: RETIREMENT v DEBTI am currently contributing to the match at my employer, which is 6 50 match. Is there a good argument for maxing my 2012 ROTH IRA as well with some of the capital I have laying around? I feel as though this is a bit of a freeroll as if I absolutely must withdraw the principal, I may at no cost. But more than likely, this would remain in the ROTH. How do you guys feel about me choosing a ROTH IRA v a traditional? In the 25 tax bracket, I feel as though I may end up a bit lower when I get married etc. Part of me really wants to just pay off all of my debt and be done with it, but with 10k of it 2.14, it seems like I may be better off with Roth contributions for the time being.Take home question: Should I keep a lower emergency fund than I have in exchange for some ROTH contributions? Is this not a freeroll for a potential long term ROTH IRA contribution?Follow-up: For my ROTH IRA what are your thoughts on Vanguard v Schwab for a ROTH IRA? I hear both of them being tossed around a lot around here. Any factors that may sway you one way or another? DILEMA 3: PAYCHECK TAXES - MAXIMIZE CASH INFLOWI have been trying to tax shelter my income as much as I can. I have inquired about an FSA at my work and they are looking into offering it and as I said about I shelter about 6 of my income via 401k currently. I claim 0 and have the maximum taxes withheld and I think that I should change this. Thoughts on claiming as high as possible and potentially owing at the end of the year? I can make a return on the money v the IRS having it interest free is my argument.Take home question: Is having the least amount of taxes withheld from a paycheck the best way to go in a vacuum? Should I be going with more 401k or IRA v my plans for a ROTH given my tax bracket?Thanks to all who took the time to read. I am really interested in your thoughts on this. I would love to know what you would do in my spot with the capital, income and debt that I currently have.  <response>: Pay off your debts tomorrow. Do not buy a house with your girlfriend. No joint accounts until you are married.Save up a few bucks and go rent a place. Dont buy a house unless you are committed to living somewhere for at least 5 years. 