Hi
@wmd8t !
You are doing amazing on your income and expenses, well done!
You seem to be naturally inclined to be responsible with money so I will tell you something I want you to hear and accept:
"You are good with money and you always will be, do not make being good with money be a top priority or a measure of your success, you already got that skill, just keep doing it" What I'm trying to say is: don't over focus on something you are already good at, enjoooooooy the peace of mind of knowing you are good with money, rest assured that it is in your nature and go eat cookies instead of checking your transactions daily
(I speak from experience)I agree with
@Steeze , you might want to do less investing so you can pay off the debt quicker. Even if it's more in your head than the pure math of what's best financially.
One thing I tell everyone when they start investing is that you probably don't know how you will react when the market goes down. I think it's very much worth investing $100 a month so when you check your account and the value just went down 20% you will know how that feels. And when you check a month later, it is still down, further down. And you are thinking: "but, but, that's myyyyy money, I worked for it, and now is melting in the sun!!" Learn that when you have $1k invested so you will know your attitude to risk when you have $100k.
Graduate Program! It is either option 1 or 2:
1) an investment that has a clear return on investment. I did my CPA (accountancy qualification) over 3 years, spend X amount of money. My net increase in income was realised in the first year/18 months of finishing it. I can quit my job right not and that investment has already paid off. My university degree, on the other hand, was typical of spending three years in uni so I could postpone feeling lost for another three years, zero financial benefit.
2) a hobby. You do it because you like it and it is not a requirement for it to be a financial success. Then it's a matter of being responsible regarding your expenses. My brother earns $80k, his hobby is mountain biking so if he spend $5k a year on it, it is still reasonable. I'll assume you don't have family money pouring down, so consider whether this program is a responsible expense. Also, you got a few more years to think about it, research it, talk to other people who have completed it. (Hot tip, if most people who have completed it used to take taxis to the school, then it's not for the average people).
Now, I'll give you some unsolicited advice since you are 21 and seems lovely :)
You will sort out the mechanicals, the details of your life. You seem engaged and resposible so even if you life choices go this way or that way, you will use your resources and you will have a job, have a house, have skills and so on.
Spend some time today thinking more broadly about who you are, what kind of person you want to be beyond your work and career. Think of your spirituality, your emotions, your mental health, your relationship with your parents, how comfortable you are with yourself.
I'm not going to be a hypocrite, I have been enjoying the service of top grade mental health professionals for 5 years because I've worked for successful companies that provided me with very good health insurance.I quite like what Penelope Trunk writes in her blog (no need to take everything at face value). I also recommend thinking and writing your missing statement, you can read chapter 2 of the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.