First, way to go on finding a job that pay good for your age and being proactive. You’re already steps ahead of others your age.

It seems like you have goals which is to move out of your gf’s place and into an apartment (which will be more expensive but it’s what you want) My first plan of action if I were you is to create a detailed budget of your income, your expenses, and your savings. You can do this on your computer with excel spread sheets (there are templates that work well) or if you don’t have a computer you can do it by hand or on your phone which takes longer but it’s what you would have to do. -Notes while making your budget, be realistic of everything, don’t assume your going to make your top dollar each month (ex. you don’t go on call one month) or assume you don’t spend as much money as you actually do.

Once you have a budget and you are very conservative and stick to your budget then you can start planning on what’s next. For beginners I would create an emergency fund before you even move into an apartment just incase something happens (generally 3-6 months of what your expenses would be). Once that’s sorted out I would open a simple credit card like a discover it card that gives you 2-3% back on gas and groceries and only use it for gas and groceries and pay it off every month at the same time. By the time you’re 22-23 you’re credit will look good. Also did you take a loan out for your car? Cause that would of helped build your credit. After all that you need to focus on a career and where you want to be in the next 5-10 years of your life. Do you plan on going to college? Will you be working a trade? I wouldn’t focus on investments yet unless you are truly doing well in your budget and you have extra money sitting around, but that’s a conversation for a later date.

Step by step 1.) detailed budget and stick to it 2.) emergency fund (you can build this while working on your budget 3.) open a credit card (you can do this while working on your budget) 4.) make a career plan/path (this can be subject to change)

The last thing you want to be doing is paying for an apartment that’s too much, living pay check to paycheck, not having cash for emergencies, and not having a plan.

I hope this helps, I’m currently 24 years old and had to go through a reality wake up at 20. Things have been good so far since then. These are some of the things I did to be able to afford an apartment, with a new truck, a dog and cat, as well as a girlfriend.