<prompt> Human: Long time lurker, first self post. This is a throwaway for privacy reasons, but I would be grateful for any opinions, suggestions, or guidance regarding my budget. I think Im doing decent, but am looking for ways to improve.26MChicago IL USA Work in suburbs 27 miles from home Bachelors graduate degrees Checking: 7,100 Savings: 6,800 Rollover IRA: 9,400 401k: 7,300 Roth IRA: 3,200 Car, bought used with cash: 2,300 Student loans: 53,900 Here are the specifics per month:Monthly pay after tax, medicare, social security: 4,610 401k contributions: 6 375 Employer match is 100 up to 6, Ill be vested in 2 yrs. Healthdentalvision insurance: 100 Roth IRA: 100 Rent, 1 bedroom in Chicago incl. gas water: 850 Electricity: 40 Internet: 40 Car Insurance: 60 Renters insurance: 20 Grocerieshousehold: 250 Cell phone: 90 Gas auto fuel: 175 Student Loans, both government: 31,200 at 7.65 22,700 at 6.55 Total minimum monthly payment 10 yr sched: 640 Just now entering repayment, shooting for 1000month15 buffer for expenses: 250Savings: 450Giving: 25 Kiva, re-lendRemainder of 780, which I consider spending money, goes to a second checking account. I have two debit cards and use one for necessary bills and the other for the spending money. I consider eating out, fast food, some clothes, movies, Netflix, etc. as allowance, while I charge groceries, bills, and gas to my main checking account.One credit card which I pay in full each month. Average total spend per month recently is 2,200 prior to student loan payments having begun.Bills and rent are all drawn automatically.What can I do to optimizeimprove?Should I attack the student loan debt more aggressively?How much should I aim to keep in savings?THANK YOU very much for any input. I value your advice and feel more equipped to handle my personal finances after reading rpersonalfinance for a while now.  <response>: All of your student debt has a high enough interest rate that I would give serious consideration to cutting your Roth IRA contributions and spending money to put towards your loans instead.How much should I aim to keep in savings?4-8 months worth of expenses.Please read the information found in the FAQ particularly I Have X ... What Do I Do With It?! and the Long-Term Investing Start-Up Kit You may find Your 401k and You: Basic Information and Your IRA and You: Basic Information worth a read as well. 