You should definitely save and invest whatever you can, but you're a little off-base hoping to retire at 30 given the situation you describe. For that to be feasible, you'll have to start saving between $10,000-$15,000 every month starting right now. To give you some perspective, I am 33, I make about $20,000 per month, and I'm not even thinking about retirement in the next 10 years. Maybe in my late 40's or early 50's. Also retire from what at 30? Retail? Will you go to college? What are you going to do? I didn't even finish my PhD until I was almost 30. So many questions haha. Yeah dude just open up a TD Ameritrade account and buy some ETFs with your spare cash and don't touch them. Forget about an "emergency fund" -- your stocks will be liquid. If you need the money for a downpayment on a house in a few years or something you can sell whatever you have.