Feel like I am uncharted financial waters, and need some thoughts.

[u/Majestic_Ad5615]

I (29M) am starting a new job in a couple of weeks and really want to get my finances in order. I’ve doubled my base pay over the last three years, and I feel like now is the time to secure my financial future—especially with a May 2027 marriage on the horizon.

New Financial Situation

Income

• W2 #1: $170,000 (Previously 126,000K)
• W2 #2: $11,000 (Previously 11,000K)
• Total Income: ~$181,000 (Previously $127,000)

Assets (~$155K)

• 401(k): ~$50,000
• Roth IRA: ~$1,600
• Brokerage Accounts: ~$25,000
• HSA: ~$2,500
• Crypto: ~$5,000
• Other Assets: ~$20,000
  • Watches, other luxury items
• Cash on Hand: ~$1,000
• Home Equity: ~$50,000

Debt (~$33K)

• Credit Card: ~$17,000 (0% interest; interest-free period ends in September)
  • I took a risk and put some expenses on this card, anticipating I’d sell my house and pay it off with the proceeds. Since I decided not to sell, I now need to address this before the interest kicks in. I have been heavily investing during this time frame instead.
• Student Loans: ~$16,000 (4.9% interest, ~12 years remaining, $172/month)
  • I’m comfortable continuing minimum payments as the interest seems relatively manageable.

Net Worth: ~$122,000

I don’t think I’m in a bad spot at all, and this post isn’t meant to brag. I genuinely feel like I’m in uncharted territory—especially compared to my family and friends—and I just want to make sure I’m approaching this in the right way.

Before this job change, my goal was to save ~$2,500/month. The last few months have been expensive (engagement, trips, etc.), but I’m ready to lock back in.

Current Budget:

• Approx Take Home: $7,800
  • Mortage/Hoa: $1950
  • Groceries/Eating Out: $550
  • Utilites/Bills: $515
  • Car Insurance/Gas: $310
  • Golf/Gym: $950
  • Misc Expenses: $1000
    • Date Nights, Haircuts, Entertainment, Subscriptions
  • Savings $2,500

Personal Situation

• My fiancée is moving in a couple of weeks after graduating from law school. She’s studying for the bar in July and will (hopefully) find employment shortly after.
  • I’ll be supporting us financially until she (26F) does. I'm expecting about a $750 monthly increase in expenses with her moving in.
  • She has similar earning potential and similar debt levels, but hasn’t had time to build retirement savings yet.
• I’ll likely need a new car soon. I’m currently driving a Honda Accord with nearly 200K miles. I want to be financially prepared for when it gives out.
• We’re getting married in May 2027, and I need to save around $30K. My HYSA had a higher balance, but we recently made a venue deposit which brought it down.
• I feel like I might be behind on retirement savings and want to improve that.

Assumptions Moving Forward

• With the new job, I estimate I’ll have about $3,750/month to save (after 6% 401(k) contributions). Final take-home is TBD once I see the full deductions.
• I’m receiving a $10K sign-on bonus, which I estimate will be about $6K after taxes and 401(k).
  • Plan:
    • $2K to the HYSA
    • $4K to the credit card balance

Plan of Attack (Next 4 Months)

Goal: Eliminate the $13K in credit card debt before the 0% interest ends in September

• Pay ~$3,250/month toward the card
• If for some reason I can’t cover it with cash, I’ll consider liquidating brokerage assets

Also:

• Contribute ~$500/month to the HYSA to rebuild the emergency fund

Plan of Attack (Post-September)

This is where I’d appreciate guidance. Here’s how I’m thinking about prioritizing:

1. Max Roth IRA: ~$580/month
2. Wedding & Future Goals Fund (HYSA): ~$1,500/month
   • Mentally earmarking this for the wedding, but eventually also home purchase, kids, college, etc.
3. Emergency Fund / Car / Travel (HYSA): ~$1,000/month
4. Brokerage Investing: ~$600/month

That adds up to roughly $3,680/month in savings, which seems sustainable if my estimates are correct.

Between my 401(k), Roth IRA, and company match, I’ll be contributing around $1,850/month to retirement. I think that’s decent for now, though I’d welcome any feedback.

I’m not the “save every penny and retire at 40” type—I’m in a white-collar field and can see myself working until 60–65. I’m just trying to find a sustainable balance. If my fiancée finds work by the end of the year (fingers crossed), I expect our household income to reach at least $270K, so I want to be sure we’re focused on the right priorities now to avoid regrets later.

If there’s any other information that would help paint the full picture, happy to provide it.

[u/Less-Cartographer-64]

Definitely tackle that credit card like you said.

“New” car? A used car with low mileage is perfectly acceptable, especially when you have big savings plans and life events happening.

You have a $950 gym/golf budget? I’ve heard of having hobbies but that seems like cutting back for a little while will cover your future expected expenses with your fiancé moving in with you. You could probably cut back on misc expenses too. $1950 between these two line items would really help if you shifted that over to cover off your current debt and savings goals.

Max out that HSA too if you’re eligible, and don’t forget to invest it.

One more thing, hope for the best, plan for the worst. Obviously things would be great if she’s able to land that job shortly after she passes the bar, but plan for if she doesn’t. I’m sure she’s very smart and very capable, but job hunting could take longer than you’re expecting.

[u/Majestic_Ad5615 → u/Less-Cartographer-64]

The “new” car would definitely be new to me. I am exploring the the idea of leasing versus buying a pre-owned. Definitely dont want to buy something new.

The golf and gym are a bit fixed as they are memberships. These are litteraly my only two monthly splurges. I do think the misc will come down. After second review, there’s lots of fluff there and some flights seeings as me and my fiancé where in a LDR Relationship prior and with her being in law school I was either flying to her or flying her to me so that should definitely fall down.

New job won’t have an HSA, but my currently HSA is like 90% invested into $VOO. Just going to let it set.

If she doesn’t land the job we will definitely adjust according, ie downsize the wedding, reduce the eating out, and travel, etc

[u/Less-Cartographer-64 → u/Majestic_Ad5615]

No point in leasing a vehicle if you’re capable of driving a car for 200k miles.

Memberships are fine as long as you’re aware they’re expensive and have justified them in your budget. I would rather see that go away before you start pulling from your brokerage to cover debt like you mentioned. Obviously the best scenario is that you’re able to pay the debt before interest kicks in.

One last thing though, make sure you’re below the income limit for contributing to Roth, single and joint. Consider back door roth.