<prompt> Human: Im 22 with my first job, making 38k before taxes. I have about 15k saved up and thats about all Ive got no stocks, ira, 401k, etc...I have no outstanding debts... parents paid for my collegecar.Im living at home currently so no rent. My monthly expenses consist of phone, gas, auto insurance, gym, entertainment and eating out parents buy groceries... comes out to probably 300month I am fairly frugalMy question is: Should I start contributing to a Roth IRA account if so.. do I do max 5,500 or start smaller? or should I look at buying a house 2 bedroom with a roomate and that way I could take out an FHA loan and have the roomate help pay off the mortgage?Thanks!  <response>: No you shouldnt look at buying a house in socal. You dont have the income or the savings to be able to afford a house. If you see rent as a waste of money, then live with your parents for the next 5 years. To give you a rough example. Lets say you decide to get a mortgage on a 300k house with 20 down. Youre monthly payments would be around 1600mo not including repairs and upkeep. Thats for the next 30 years. Lets say you find a roommate for 800mo. What are you gonna do if your roomate pays late or doesnt pay at all. What are you gonna do for the months where youre trying to find a new roommate. What kind of car are you gonna drive. Do you plan on having a family one day. You and your family will be putting 1600mo of your budget just towards the mortgage for the next 30 years. 