<prompt> Human: Hey guys - I just graduated a couple months ago, bought a car out of need, unfortunately, but luckily had a downpayment ready from emergency fund and sold the old car for the first few payments, and started a new job. Heres a rundown of my current billsbudget, but I feel like it can always be improved:Take-home income: 2600month Auto loan 17k at 4.69: 232month - currently paying 300month Staffordstudent loans 15k at 4.8: 157month - currently paying 200month Rent room in house: 530month Cell phone: 80month Internet: 60month split 4 ways between housemates Roth IRA: 50month Gas: 120month Food: 200month Credit card 9.9 at 1400, paying about 100monthI currently have my paycheck direct depositing two ways: 650paycheck in one account for all my bills, and the rest in my checking account. I would also like to to start rebuilding my emergency fund again.However, my job offers a 401k where I can put in 1-50 of my paycheck, with them matching 50 on the first 6 I contribute. I was reading the wiki, and the recommended amount for a 401k is 10-20, which would be about 130-260. I would like to contribute, but Im not sure how 401ks work, and what happens to them if I leave the company. Id also like to know how if I can shift my budget to allow this.I also wonder if I should shift my money for paying off my car vs student loans vs credit card. Should I pay more on one rather than the other, or keep it that way? I also have another student loan perkins deferred until December. I have slowly put in a few bucks here and there, and its down to 975. Should I worry about that now and see if my budget allows to pay it off beforehand?Thanks in advance!  <response>: First off, if you dont have an emergency fund, I would build one up to at least 1k or some small building block type of amount that can cover an emergency car repair, home purchase, flight home, etc. Dont pay any extra on any loan until then.Next, I would stop paying any extra on the Student Loan and the Car payment for the time being. If you were able to throw an additional 110 just the reallocated extra loan payment, You are looking you are looking at having the CCard paid off within 7 months 200 per month. If you can attack that even quicker with any monthly surplus, I would do that too. After the CCard, the math says to pay down the student loan higher interest rate than the car. I personally would do the car since it is a higher monthly payment and an actual asset, that you could sell in a pinch. If its paid off when that happens, the process is so much easier. After that, just pick the loans off one by one until they are done and enjoy the freedom.Read the FAQ and Wiki of course. I had the same thoughts when i started out. I have basically read as much as I possibly could and am now well on my way to a deft free life! 