<prompt> Human: Edit: To be clear, this is another one of those Roth vs Traditional questions. I feel like Im going to need to sit down with a CPA. Hi PF, Im concerned about starting my IRA or Roth because Im not sure due to some comments from a previous thread. Can someone tell me directly what their direction would be regarding which to choose? I make 63k pre, yearly increases of about 7k. Employer does not offer 401k Have 11k saved in an Ally savings. Will be 30 next year. After all of my mandatory bills are paid gas and groceries included, I have 50 left over, so the 5500yr isnt an issue to hit. What should I open? Im scared because this is a yuge decision, and am trying to get everything in order. Itll probably be one of the big 3 Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab. I have no idea about investing, ETFs, or really anything in relation to an IRA. Gotta start somewhere I suppose. What do you think? Can provide more info if needed.Assistant: Im concerned about starting my IRA or Roth because Im not sure due to some comments from a previous thread. Can you point out this thread? It would be helpful to know what was said in it.What should I open?I suggest you go with an IRA at Vanguard Deposit at least 1,000 to start and choose the 2055 Target Retirement Fund to invest in.That is an all in one fund, no other funds needed. It will do all the rebalancing for you and keep an appropriate asset allocation for your age. Just keep adding to that fund and you never need to make another decision about your portfolio ever again. It really is great for taking the uncertainty out of investing and keeping it as simply as possible.Human: I shouldve been more clear in my question as well. Should I open a traditional or Roth?  <response>: Open a Roth. Your current employer does not offer a 401k, but you will someday work somewhere with a 401k. The 401k will probably be a traditional 401k as Roth 401ks are rare. Since you will probably make traditional savings at some point in the future, just go with a Roth IRA.The worst option is opening neither. So seriously, if you cant decide, flip a coin. They both have pros and cons and require guesswork for the future. 