<prompt> Human: Background: Im 24, recently graduated from college with no debts. I started my first job about 3 months ago paying 65k. I have great credit and around 10k in my emergency fund, 3k in 401k. My major payments are 1k on rent, 400 car payment bought a new car, 400 in other bills. Ive had to make quite a few large purchases such as furniture, appliances, etc.. since I owned very little before moving into my own place. Typically Ive been spending about 3k a month but I hope that will drop since I wont need to be buying as much. My Plan: First I am just saving money in my checking account for an emergency fund of 15k. Once I have that emergency fund I will start making investments. I have been watching, researching, and studying the market for about 6 months now so I have a a good idea of where I want to put my money. As for retirement funds, I currently contribute the maximum allowed for my company 15, plus a 4.5 company match. This of course has slowed my income for the emergency fund but everything Ive read about 401k is max it out asap. Goals: Im single, no children. Looking to get out of renting within a couple years so I do need to start saving for that down payment. I want to be able to retire youngish 55? and have fun. Questions: -Once I hit my emergency fund goal, where do I put this money? Do I leave it in my checking account and make 0 interest on it or can I put it somewhere to grow? -How much do you recommend keeping in checking each month for bill payments. would i just keep replenishing this amount each month? -Am I overspending? With a monthly income of 4k, Ive only been able to save about 1k of that. Thanks!EDIT: Since people are asking for a more detailed breakdown of my budget.. Rent: 985 1br apartment garage. wish I had roommates to cut the cost. Car: 390 my previous car broke down on me same time I got the job offer, I got a 13 Civic which will last 300k miles easily. Gas: 200 Drive 50miday for work Cell phone, cable, internet: 180 Car insurance: 100 Water elect: 100 That comes out to 1955 without including food. So basically on top of that I spend about 1k on food, random purchases, and fun. I go golfing and drink usually on the weekends. I typically only eat out at a restaurant maybe once a week. I really dont think i spend that much. I wish I could of lived with a roommate to cut my rent basically in half. The car I had to buy, and I went with a reliable model. The loan is 0.9 APR 60months.  <response>: Spending 3k out of 4k is a little high, but without a more detailed breakdown its hard to say where excess money is being spent. Its not terrible though.Edit:So basically on top of that I spend about 1k on food, random purchases, and fun. I go golfing and drink usually on the weekends.So yeah, thats a lot. 