“When you have limited extra cash, deciding where to put it requires a simple prioritization rule. Financial educators often recommend capturing any employer match first because an employer match is immediately a guaranteed return on your contribution — effectively an instant, risk-free boost to your savings. After capturing the match, many planners suggest building an emergency fund (so you won’t need to raid retirement accounts), paying down very high-interest debt, or increasing retirement contributions beyond the match depending on your situation. The right order can depend on interest rates, job stability, and personal goals, but for someone with no emergency cushion, a small balance to capture the match and a basic emergency fund are common first steps. This question asks which action usually makes sense as the initial priority when an employer match is available and cash is limited.”