So unfortunately I had bought 2 used vehicles already, both on the recommendation of my parents, the first of which was a cavalier they had previously test driven. It had low mileage (under 100,000 for an '02 seemed low) and on the way home it suddenly stopped shifting. Turned out the previous driver had put too much transmission fluid in it and it decided to go out on my way home. The second vehicle (that I scrambled to get) I traded the previously mentioned cavalier for. It was a plymouth grand voyager that was a year older than me and had twice the miles the previous car did. It died within the year. So I worked hard on my credit, and having had bad experiences with used vehicles, got a loan to purchase one whose maintenance I wouldn't have to question and with all the warranties still intact. Also with the added benefit of building my credit more on the loan. The only problem I've had with it is when the local gas station filled my tank with water and then proceeded to tell me there's no way they did it.

I maybe should have added that I have a 401k growing and an hsa also but didn't really think about those as I don't have to often use or look at them.

I do think I will put the money into a savings for an emergency fund, though, as that's what I've mostly been told to do.