<prompt> Human: Im a 22 year old gal who just got my first real-world job as a marine engineer. I make 50kyr with great earning potential my boss is pretty awesome. Currently, Ive been working for 6 months and now qualify at my company for their 401k plans. Im not well versed on the subject at all and have been trying to make sense of all the documents that have been thrown at me. While I am still in the process of figuring out whatwhere I want to put my money into, I am also debating how much I should be contributing?My employer matches 50 up to 10 contributions. Im assuming I should be going with that amount. But I have also tossed up the idea of starting out at 7-8 and upping it every year as I continue to get salary raises. However everyone Ive talked to, aside from coworkers, have been trying to talk me out of it. My parents said people usually put 2-4 into their 401ks, which I know is by far not nearly enough. They think I wont be able to handle it financially, so I figured Id see what you guys had to say about it.Each month I bring in about 4160 3150 after taxes. I also get an extra 500month for health insurance compensation I am still on the parents policy, rather than getting my own, so its not costing me anything at the moment unless I go to the doctor - all copaysdeductibles I incur Im responsible for, especially bc I make more money than either parent. I just stash away that money every month. I have a lot of debt from student loans, albeit at a low interest rate, due to my family not being able to contribute at all to my education other than cosigning loans, which I am responsible for paying. Everything I have I have worked for since I was 16. I am young and single, so my monthly expenses arent really that high. Heres a breakdown: rent - 500 food -200 gas - 120-150 usually closer to 120 car insurance - 80 I own a 2002 Hyundai Accent I bought at 17, 161k miles on it now and its on its last year probably utilities - 100 or less it varies month to month and includes basic cable and interwebs gym - 10 student loans - 878 cell phone - 60 restaurants - 100 barsalcohol - 15-30 other random expenses - 200 or less again, it varies month to monthTotal 2200monthI try as hard as I can to stick to this budget each month, except Nov. Dec when I had to buy Christmas presents and bday present for the boyfriend. I have around 10500 in savings I took a trip and bought a snowboard and a few other little luxuries I couldnt have before - otherwise Id have more, and some in a checking account. I started out of school with almost nothing, 1500 in savings, because I was living paycheck to paycheck while in school, working just enough to pay the bills without sacrificing my grades. I have a credit card that I earn points on that I pay off the balance entirely each month, usually just put food, gas, restaurant and alcohol purchases on it.I also have some goals I have for the next few years: CAR! I will need a car by the end of next year more than likely. Hyundai right now has a really attractive financing offer at 0 up to 72 months. Im looking at buying a new Elantra GT for pretty cheap relatively speaking for new cars and putting 3500 down on it. But thats an entire other discussion. By doing that, the dealer and I figured I can keep my monthly payments under 200 and my car insurance will increase to 230month sigh - Ill miss that 80. HOUSE! I want a house before Im 30. I know a lot of you will tell me to pay off those student loans ASAP, but by doing that I will have a small savings account by the time Im 30. Saving for a house is more important to me than paying off those damn loans - its not really a financial burden, its just annoying as hell bc of my personal opinions about education costs. TRAVEL- Basically, I want to enjoy my 20s before I settle down, have kids, etc. The bf who is also an engineer feels the same way - we are currently planning a 10 day trip to Germany, staying with friends, for the end of April. I wont take more than one trip a year, except maybe little weekend away camping close to where we live, and have a yearly budget I have in mind for that. 2kSO I my question is, can I do that 10 without worry? And still be able to save a decent amount? While taking into consideration the costs of getting that new car in the nearish future? I figured out that after all is said and done I can save around 700month with my current salary which will go up every year supposedly if I buy the new car next month and be strict with my budgets. Obviously much more if I dont. Is that a good amount for someone my age?? I want to set myself up well for retirement, even though Im young and its 40 years away. Ok I can take a breath now. :  <response>: If you contribute anything less than 10 you are leaving free money on the table. You basically get an instant 50 return on your investment, and you cant pass up on that. Your budget seams reasonable, and I dont see why you wouldnt be able to easily set aside 10 for your retirement. 