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Investigator Finance

Quiz

Which account should I fund first?

A common order people use when they have more goals than dollars. Your answers only change the order and the notes; they aren’t saved. For details on each account, see Accounts.

Educational only, not financial advice

This tool shows general math, not a recommendation for you. It isn’t financial, tax or legal advice, and real returns, fees and tax rules will differ. Talk to a qualified professional before making decisions. What you enter stays in your browser: nothing is saved or sent to us.

1. Do you have emergency cash set aside?
2. Does your employer match retirement contributions?
3. Are you on an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan?
4. Are you self-employed?
5. How do you file taxes?
6. Your 2026 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)

Married filing separately has different Roth rules. If that’s you, see the Roth IRA page.

Answer the six questions, then select Show a common order. Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.

How this order is built

It follows a widely shared rule of thumb: keep some cash for emergencies, don’t leave an employer match unclaimed, then use tax-advantaged accounts before a taxable account. Real choices depend on fees, investment options, debt, state taxes and plans for the money, so treat it as a starting point for your own research.

It doesn’t cover paying down high-interest debt, 529 plans, or married-filing-separately rules. Limits shown are for 2026.

Sources

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