<prompt> Human: Basic summary: Went to an Ivy league undergrad and an ivy league law school. I owe 250K in loans with interest rates varying from 5 to 8.6. I currently take home about 85K after taxes living in NYC about 150K before taxes.I plan to put 40K toward loans this year in 2014. 20K toward rent, internet, cell phone, transportation, and utilities. That leaves about 25K left over for other personal expenditures and an emergency fund. How much should I keep in an emergency fund?Should I invest in a type of retirement account? Im currently 26. My company does not match for 401k, so is there a point in doing that? Ive heard people mention Roth on here-- is that worth doing? Vanguard? I know nothing about any of this.Id also like to do some investing. Having extra money sitting in a savings account doing nothing seems useless, so Id liek to invest some of it and see it grow even if it grows very little each year. Maybe 5K 4K in an index fund, and 1K in some stocks. Just looking for some general advice! Thanks!EDIT: Would it be better to put 5K toward my loans, keep it in a savings accout, or put in in a Roth IRA? I only made 30K this year, but starting in 2014 my salary will be 150K which is too much for a Roth IRA. I have until April to do a Roth IRA for 2013, would it be a bad idea to just put 5K in that?  <response>: You have more than in student loan debt than most people have it mortgage debt. You probably shouldnt have any extra money sitting around except for your emergency fund. Instead put that money towards the highest interest rate loan and work your way down. This will result in a higher return than any index fund can guarantee. 