<prompt> Human: Hello interwebs. I am 26 years old and am still trying to figure out the whole personal finance world as mid-20s no budget type of guy. I have to admit that I am still pretty reckless in regards to money and budgeting and hopefully I am setting myself up for better financing for 2014. So for the nitty gritty. I get paid bi-weekly with a take home of about 1400. Before my take home check-500 goes into a savings account bi-weekly as well. The account as of today has 3000. This essentially is my house fund500 goes into a 457b deferred compensation retirement fund. This is also Bi-Weekly and the account currently has about 30000. This fund cannot be touched at all and no money cannot be withdrawn without being penalized. Also I am very adamant on not changing the amount being deposited because I want a good nest egg on top of my pension when I retire.So back to my 1400 bi-weekly take home paycheck. My bills are pretty much covered with plenty left over for spending, but like what I said I am pretty reckless and dont budget. BILLS:Cell Phone: 90 MonthElectricity: 250 Month AverageCableInternetHouse Phone: 250 AverageGym MembershipClub: 200 MonthGas for Car: 160 MonthLife Insurance: 80 MonthNetflix Spotify: 20 MonthDebt: I have credit card debt of about 9000. This has been accumulated for 5 years and I have not missed a payment, but my goal is to pay this off as soon as I can. APR is 11.65Goal for 2014:1. Pay off credit card2. Save up for a house3. Create a decent budgetFor paying off credit card- I am pretty sure that I just need to not use it and pay off a good chunk each month. I understand that budgeting is being disciplined is important so hopefully I follow through. Now for the big question--- Saving for a house. My house fund like what I said above currently has 3000 in it and each month will grow 1000. I have read online that I can open up a Roth IRA and use that to set up a first time home buyer account. I dont know much details about it but basically I want my money to work for me in the most efficient way to purchase my first house. I live in San Francisco and basically for a 20 down payment for a house here in the Bay Area, I would need 100000. RIDICULOUS. Now many others sources advise that I should move the 3000 and save it as an emergency fund. Then the future 1000 bucks a month that would have been deposited will go into a ROTH IRA for the HOUSE FUND. Advice will appreciated for this. :::Setting up a budget::: Once I figure out from everyones advice what to really do, then I can set up structured budget. I look forward to everyones advice and Thank you! Happy Holidays folks and Any questions, please message me or respond in the comments!  <response>: 80month on life insurance at age 26?!? It sounds like you may have been scammed into a whole life policy. Im guessing a college friend is not an insurance salesman? I would absolutely drop the life insurance. Then buy term life ifwhen you have dependents. 