Month 1–2: Cash buffer
Save $500 in a high-yield savings account (Ally, Marcus, OneUnited Smart Save) before anything else. This is your "don't borrow at 25% APR for a tire" fund.
Month 3–6: One-month emergency fund
Build to one full month of expenses. Cut subscriptions ruthlessly during this period — every dollar saved goes to the fund.
Month 7–9: Retirement
Open a Roth IRA at Fidelity or Vanguard. Start with $50/month into a low-cost index fund (FXAIX or VTI). If your employer matches 401(k), capture the full match before the IRA — it's free money.
Month 10–12: Credit + protection
Pull your credit reports from annualcreditreport.com. Dispute errors. Get a $250 secured credit card if your score is under 670 and pay it off in full every month — your score will jump 50–80 points in six months.