Accounts such as 401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, and 529 plans offer tax deductions, defer taxes on growth, or provide tax-free withdrawals for qualified uses. Leveraging them first can accelerate wealth building.

Follow the order of operations: earn any employer match, then prioritize Roth or traditional IRAs based on your tax bracket, and use HSAs for medical savings if eligible. After that, consider taxable accounts.

Keep good records of contributions and eligibility rules. Understanding income limits, withdrawal penalties, and required minimum distributions helps you avoid costly mistakes.