<prompt> Human: I have been working at the same company for the past 3 years - my first big boy job out of college. They have a very generous 401k match, and after contributing 6 each year- my 401k is up to about 30k. I am living with my parents at the moment, paying cheap rent to help out 400Month. I will be looking to move out soon pending potential moving up opportunity- but dont want to pay rent when I move out. I want to take out a mortgage on an apartment or condo, maybe small home. I do not have much savings outside of this, but also dont have much debt other than 7k student loans remaining. I realize I will get penalized for early withdrawal, and it will be taxed. I also realize that if I pull the money out, I am missing out on the compounding growth. However, since I will be buying a home another investment, and the company has contributed more than half of that money, and being that I am still young, I believe this is a good idea. Thoughts?  <response>: No, do not raid your retirement to buy a house. 