I'm 25, make 6 figures for the first time, and work for the US govt. How can I do best with my money?

Hey everyone. I'm 25 and working for the US govt, and fresh off the teat of my first 6 figure job; I'm making about $110k. I've got a solid pension to look forward to in 25 years. I still live in the same 1 bedroom apartment I started renting 3 years ago for $1300 but it's now up to $1600. I've got a stack of rightfully discarded economics textbooks 6 feet tall on my bedroom floor that I've read cover to cover because I love economics so much. I've read faithfully ever since I left university 4 years ago, and I still feel like I'm in the dark. <br><br>I've got about $85,000 in student loans, but they're at 1.5% interest, and I've been taking full advantage of the no interest and no payments for the past 3 years. They're actually down from $105k initially. <br><br>My dad is a businessman, and he is not the penny pinching type. He has given me exactly four pieces of advice:<br><br>1) Max your retirement<br>2) Don't play it too safe. You can make good money by taking calculated risks. <br>3) Be a smart renter. <br>4) Don't want something too badly. <br><br>Thats it, and I'm not sure I agree with him on everything. I've been doing a lot of reading here and elsewhere, and I'm starting to feel like 1) and 2) conflict. I have maxed my 401k for the past few months, and I'm in an employee stock purchase program. Is this too conservative? Where else should I be putting my money?<br><br>My rent is a little high but apparently not that bad for where I am. I've looked at moving somewhere cheaper, but nothing really seems like a good option right now. I've thought about getting a roommate but I don't clean my room much and it feels embarrassing to try to find someone to live with so I just have not done it. <br><br>I'm not sure if I'm being too conservative. I've got about $6,000 in savings in case of emergencies, and I've got a stupidly large emergency fund. It's about 6 months of expenses but it's not earning any interest. I've been thinking of pulling some of that large emergency fund out but it's so comforting. It's also at a credit union that offers 1% so... not nothing but its also not much. <br><br>I feel like I should be doing more with my money. I've been vaguely looking at houses, but I don't want to buy a house until I'm ready to settle. I have a puppy still who is kind of an asshole and I don't want him in a sticky situation. I also travel a fair amount and I'd rather not have a house to worry about while I'm away. <br><br>What else can I do with my money?