Since a Roth IRA is penalized if I ever need to take it out early would it be smarter to have a brokerage account instead? For example I have 12k in savings but want to start investing so should I add a portion of that to a brokerage account to treat it as a HYSA instead of a Roth IRA in case I need the money at some point? I don’t expect to but am nervous of the Roth IRA penalizing as I am only 24.
Also for a Roth IRA and/or a brokerage account what do you recommend I invest in? I know VOO and SPAXX can be good based on research I’ve done but am nervous to pull the trigger as I don’t have anyone around me to advise.