Roth IRA or 401(k)? Where to invest first with Sean Mullaney / 72

If you’ve spent any time reading personal finance advice, you’ve probably heard the same advice on repeat: max out your Roth IRA. But what if that’s not actually the best move — at least not right now?In this episode, we sit down with advice-only financial planner Sean Mullaney to challenge some of the most common investing advice out there and replace it with something a little more nuanced — and helpful. We talk about how to think about taxes across your lifetime (not just this year), why traditional retirement accounts deserve more attention, and how small shifts in strategy can make a meaningful difference over time.✨ Episode Highlights ✨[00:00] Meet our guest and why “Roth first” isn’t always the best advice[02:00] The two-sentence framework for retirement planning: investing + taxes[04:30] Why traditional 401(k)s can be more powerful than Roth accounts[08:00] What to do if you don’t have access to a 401(k)[12:30] The real order of operations: emergency fund, employer match, then what?[15:30] How taxes actually work in retirement (and why they’re often lower)[18:30] The “hidden Roth IRA” concept explained in plain English[24:30] Capital gains, cost basis, and why your taxable income may be lower than you think[28:00] The “compelling three” framework for investing (and how to use it)[32:00] Where HSAs fit into your overall investing strategy[34:00] The biggest mistake we see in your 20s and 30s — and how to avoid it[36:00] Balancing saving for the future with actually enjoying your life now✨ Resources ✨Connect with Sean:Sean’s book: Tax Planning to and Through Early Retirement Sean’s blog: FITaxGuy.com Sean’s YouTube channelListen to The Finance Girlies beginner-friendly investing episodes:Why you don’t feel ready to invest (and how to start anyway) / 67Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): The incredible financial tool you may be overlooking / 54Q&A: Everything you need to know about Roth IRAs / 12 As Sean mentioned, some capital gains in New Zealand are not subject to tax, but some are. As always, tax rules are nuanced. Learn more in this video and this article.The discussion is intended for general educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. Cassidy, Emily, and The Finance Girlies podcast do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc. and their services. 📩 Get The Finance Girlies newsletter: https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/newsletter💻Visit The Finance Girlies website: https://www.thefinancegirlies.com/💖Email us your money questions: [email protected]📸Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thefinancegirlies/