How do I save for a down payment while still investing for retirement?

Balance the two by sequencing priorities rather than treating it as all-or-nothing. First, always contribute enough to your 401(k) to capture the full employer match — that's an immediate guaranteed return you shouldn't skip even while saving for a home. Beyond the match, if you're buying within two or three years, it's reasonable to temporarily redirect extra investing dollars into your down-payment fund, since that money needs to stay safe and liquid rather than exposed to market swings. A Roth IRA can do double duty: contributions can be withdrawn tax- and penalty-free for a home if needed, while the rest keeps growing for retirement. Once you've bought and your budget stabilizes, ramp retirement contributions back up. The mistake to avoid is pausing the match or raiding existing retirement balances. See the long-term trade-off at wealthserene.com/tools/opportunity-cost.