Investing gurus... need some resources

[Pilon]

You can still put into a roth ira in addition to a thrift up to a maximum 4000 or 4500 i have to double check. that way you never have to pay taxes again. and so you know you can use funds from a roth or traditional ira towards the purchase of a first home, up to $10,000 without being subject to early withdrawal penatlies. on the roth you ower nothing to the tax man, the traditional ira you would only have to pay taxes, no penalty.

contribute the max at work to get tthe full match, free money is good money, but doing a roth too just gives you the chance to manipulate taxes in the future, or control it rather.