I know we've discussed 401ks and other tax deffered accounts before but:
If your 401k plan is that bad, you guys may have a good case against them. Walmart was sued for having a shit 401k plan and were forced to rectify it.
Araysar , you say you are in some plan that has 5 percent in bonds, then you posted a shitty yearly return. Why any of it in bonds? Does your 401k at least have a low fee S&P index fund? If not, they need to be sued.
About not having access to your money. MOST 401k's have decent 401k loan programs so you can access money quick and basically free (you pay the interest back to yourself).
Also, you don't have to wait until 65 to access your money without penalty, if you retire early you can start withdrawing early. I think starting at age 55. Your HSA money can be accessed for health (obviously) but then for any reason you want after 65.
Unlike what someone posted above, i'd prioritize:
-401k first (to take advantage of match, and also its more time restricted and dependent on your actual paychecks in the calender year so more a hassle to max)
-HSA second because its fantastic overall tax savings but you can add money to it to max it straight from your bank account, and you can do it up until like April the next year.
-RothIRA last, like the HSA you can contribute straight from personal funds and have until like Spring of the next year.
I'm like Sanrith, very frugal and try to be as efficient as I can. Luckily my employer has a good 401k and HSA plan and also allows me to self direct my 401k investments which i've recently begun to do and im up 20 percent so far this year (thanks spacs). But even if it did not allow me to self direct, I could not pass up on the tax savings. I would just consider my 401k/HSA as my "safe bet" money and go wild with what was left over in my non-retirement accounts to balance it. (which is what i've been doing actually).
Its not prudent to yolo your entire net worth anyways.
