We are non-officially retired at 62 because it is difficult finding full- or part-time work because discrimination is real and ugly.
What we have practiced is living beneath our means. One rule is the 80-10-10 rule of living on 80%, saving on 10%, and tithing to your church on the first 10%.
I would always participate in your 401K and hopefully it matches. At a minimum, participate at the maximum Company matching level. If you company matches 1% to 1% for the first 4%, contribute at least 4%.
Generally, anything contributed to a Roth must be held at least 5 years before being withdrawn without penalty after age 59-1/2. Consider keeping all your Roth IRA paperwork. IRS tax law says for 5-year holding period for qualified distributions - it is separate for each Roth account and begins on January 1 of the year contributions made to that account. If one Roth account is rolled into another, the earlier start date applies (link: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/ten-differences-between-a-roth-ira-and-a-designated-roth-accoun...) and see also “Qualified Distributions” in Pub 590 (link: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b#en_US_2021_publink100089543)
Your initial tax bracket starting out from college should be the lowest of your entire life. Thus, all initial contributions, in my opinion, should be to your Roth.
As your income grows and it increases from the minimum tax bracket of 10% (which you should closely monitor), you may then want to take some 401K traditional contributions of pre-tax at the higher tax bracket (e.g. 22%). Your retirement tax bracket ought to be less than your career height bracket.
Greatest investment of all time is real estate, you can reach out and touch it. All the best!
*** I am NOT a tax expert. I am a seasoned TurboTax user, and volunteer to aid TT users. Nothing I post is to be considered TAX ADVICE; I bear no legal liability for responses.***
