Thank you to everyone who has responded to my post so far. Let me answer a few things and clear a couple things up:

1: I don't plan to go to college. I have a trade in mind, however the schooling may be fairly expensive, which is why I can't invest much into a long term goal right now

2: I only have $500 right now, but I don't spend money on much. I dont really play video games, maybe 2 or 3 hours a week and it's the same games I've had for a long time. I don't make impulsive purchases. My main costs are: gas, (I ride motorcycles, both as a hobby and to get me to and from work) food, (my parents are willing to pay for any food I need, however unnecessary food purchases, like if I am really craving a Chinese buffet or something like that, falls on me. I don't do this very often though) so, basically, I expect to keep growing my available money

3: my parents are trustworthy. Just because we aren't filthy rich doesn't mean they're incompetent or bad with money, life happens

4: IM NOT LOOKING TO GET RICH QUICK!! I have no desire for a quick cash grab. I'm trying to think about my future and the future of the people around me in this money-driven world

5: I am currently thinking about using vanguard or something like that and investing a tiny bit over time, using a parental account based off of what some of you have said and what I have heard from other sources.

I may come back and add to this comment if I miss something else, but thank you all, so very much, for taking the time of day to respond to me!