This is good advice for someone with financial security and a good salary. Which is sadly a fairly small % of people in their 20s. I'd add two higher priorities

This is good advice for someone with financial security and a good salary. Which is sadly a fairly small % of people in their 20s. I'd add two higher priorities for people who don't have financial security: 1. Take stock of your finances. Track all your expenses and income for a month or two. If you find your debt is growing make changes to bring your costs down. 2. Pay off high interest debts like credit cards. Once this is complete, build up a rainy day fund of at least 3 months of expenses in a savings account. Consider this money hands-off except in emergencies. After all this is implemented the person's finances are "stable" and they have a budget, and I think your advice is solid (but should be modified depending on salary). I'd also blend in some safer investments with the s&p 500 - perhaps using a robo advisor to manage the risk for you.