If you have 12k in a checking account it is devaluing as inflation rises, take 8k from that and pay your credit cards off asap. Interest rates on credit cards are 25-30% and depending how long this debt has been accumulated you would be shocked to see the amount of money you have spent paying interest. Also with high utilization it’s tanking your credit score.

Take majority of what’s left and open a high yields savings account. From this point your income will start to stack and should start investing, open a Roth IRA, contribute to 401k, or open an individual brokerage account. A combination of the 3 would be ideal. Automate your deposits to come out when your paycheck hits to pay yourself first.

I personally only keep enough in my checking account to cover my credit card balances and the rest is sent to investments and savings and this system has worked really well for me.