<prompt> Human: Im 25, and while not in the most consistent of industries, I am good at what I do and will continue to have a surplus of money coming in than I need. I have a solid 3 month emergency fund, and will have paid off my car and student loans in just a few months.With an average of 1600 available each month, where do you recommend I start putting it? I see the Schwab SP 500 Index suggested quite a bit around here, but I dont know as much about that as I should. While I research, why not tell me what you would do, if in my situation?  <response>: Open a Roth IRA. Buy a Total Stock Market Index fund for it total stock market is about 70 SP500 and is usually recommended over the SP 500 index funds because it holds the smaller stocks too, not just the 500 biggest ones 