As a new guy, do whatever it takes to max out the 401k of $15,500 for the year. The company will match through out the year, with a true-up at the end of the year. Without going into details, the end result is a company match of $7,750 into your 401k. I used savings to live on, to get that match while supplementing my check with a part-time job. This was prior to the new contract. IBB was a blessing and now I don't work quite as hard. I hope a little hard work now, pays off with a good retirement....