What is the standard order I should put my money in each month?

A widely used priority order, sometimes called the financial order of operations, goes roughly: first cover your essential bills, then build a small starter emergency fund of about $1,000. Next, contribute enough to your 401(k) to capture the full employer match, since that's free money. Then pay off high-interest debt like credit cards aggressively. After that, build your emergency fund to three to six months of expenses, and max out tax-advantaged accounts such as an HSA and a Roth or traditional IRA. Finally, increase 401(k) contributions toward the annual IRS limit and invest any surplus in a taxable brokerage account. Your exact order may shift based on debt rates and goals. The financial-wellness assessment at wealthserene.com/assessments/financial-wellness can personalize the sequence.