I'm about to start my career next year, but am unsure the best way to start saving. I have an economics degree, and have pretty strong knowledge of investments. What are the advantages of the following ways to save for retirement?Investing on my own with a risk appropriate portfolio mostly comprised of an index ETF.Getting a financial advisor/planner and using one of their bank's programs.Or going through my employer (Brevard County Public Schools – I am a math teacher).No one plan is best for all situations.With your skill set you are well equiped analyze these.And one futher note that book knowledge tends to overlook.1. As a math teacher, you should have a grasp on the impact on the difference between paying taxes on contributions today vs. paying taxes on withdrawls during retirement.2. As an economist, you should be able to grasp the concept of today's tax rates as a known constant and your future tax rate during retirement being a variable.3. As an economist, you'll also have a grasp on the concept of tax brackets now and during retirement.Use those skills to see if you're better off with pre-tax investing like 401k and traditional IRAs vs. post tax investing like Roth.Neither of those skill sets teach this common sense nugget: diversification is usually the best. Do some of both.More common sense: banks are good at banking, not so good at investing, go with a brokerage like Vanguard.