<prompt> Human: When I was 17 years old I started a Roth IRA on the advice of a family friend, I put money into it on and off for the last several years, its worth about 4000. Since then Ive accumulated about 4000 in credit card debt, which is about to start accruing interest. Ive also started a job with benefits including a 401k. Its my understanding that I can withdraw any money I put into it with out penalties or tax. So my question is, should I withdraw the money that I contributed to the Roth IRA to knock out the bulk of my credit card debt before things get out of hand?  <response>: I think you can do this, but I wouldnt. Your family friend was smart to have you start saving at such a young ageyoull reap the benefits of compound interest if you leave the money til you retire. If I were you, Id stop using the credit cards to avoid any additional debt, find a new credit card with a 0.0 apr on balance transfers, transfer the existing debt to that new card, and use the salary from the new job to pay down the 4k in existing debt. 