<prompt> Human: I used to make 2k per month after taxes. Now I just did a career switch in my mid 30s. I graduated and instantly got a job making 120k salary 35k RSUyear. Nice change of fortune, right? I need to know how best to handle this money. The only debt I have is a mortgage around 80k at 5.5. I spend very little money, dont use credit cards, and like to have lots of extra money available in case of emergency. I once had an emergency in my family and my saved up money was a life-saver. Even when I was making almost nothing, I managed to save up about 20k. But Ive never invested or had a 401k, just a savings account.I had to move to a new, higher COL city for the new job. Im temporarily staying rent-free with a family member there while I find an apartment. Im also talking with property management companies to rent out the mortgaged house in my previous city. Rentutilitiesinternet in the new, high COL city will be my one big expense. One-bedroom apartments here are about 1.8k-3.5k depending what area I live in. Here is what Ive gotten out of reading this board so far: I should max out the 401k at my new job. I should get an IRA and max that out too. I should use a traditional IRA and not a Roth IRA because 1 I make too much to qualify for Roth, 2 I will probably be in a lower tax bracket when Im retired then the one Im suddenly in now. How much should I pay off the mortgage of my old property? The minimum? I dont want to sell it. Its an up and coming area and a guaranteed place to live if I ever need it. I have to pick what the 401k or IRA is made of. How do I know what to pick?Assistant: This isnt what you asked for, but you should research refinancing your mortgage as the interest rate on a 15 year right now is 3.5.Human: Great tip. I dont know anything about refinancing so Ill start researching.  <response>: Be sure to shop around. 