<prompt> Human: Hello, I am 26 years old, Ive recently started a 401k with one of my jobs, it has about 1000 dollars in it. I am currently working 2 jobs, making about 2000 dollars a month, with 1000-1100 a month in expenses and bills. Im wondering what I should start doing to prepare for retirement, but also to help protect myself from a coming economic crash. What tips do you have?  <response>: Dont time the market If you are investing for retirement and well done by being able to put away anything on 24kyear, you are in it for the long term. Dont worry if prices fall. Just keep investing. making about 2000 dollars a monthGood start. You need to have a path to increase this though - saving any substantial sum of money will be extremely difficult at 24kyear. 1000-1100 a month in expenses and bills.Again, well done on keeping expenses low. To be cash flow positive at your income level is awesome. As your income increases, try and keep your spending the same at least for awhile. What tips do you have?If you really do have an extra 1,000 a month, keep putting away more in the 401k until you hit your employer match. Once you do, look into a Roth IRA. A Roth IRA means you get no tax benefit now but, hey, you probably arent in a very high tax bracket right now anyway but at retirement all the income original investment gains comes out tax free. 