Also, cut your expenses, save 20%+ of salary, build up a 6-12 month emergency fund IN CASH or money market. Then, if you lose your job or need to take time off

Also, cut your expenses, save 20%+ of salary, build up a 6-12 month emergency fund IN CASH or money market. Then, if you lose your job or need to take time off, you aren't totally screwed. Also, after-tax investments lets you fund personal projects without taking the huge penalty for raiding retirement savings.