<prompt> Human: So i made this account specifically to make this post on this subreddit i usually spend my time on this site looking at pictures of cats pushing watermelons out of lakes. That being said I tried my best to look through the sticky and make sure Im not asking too many stupid questions before I post. If theres anything I missed please let me know, Im not looking to waste anybodys time I just genuinely need some direction and Ive wasted enough of my own time and money being ignorant.To give you guys some background, I have been in the Navy for the last 3 years, there are ups and downs but its a pretty nice paycheck that comes every two weeks, plus the benefits. One of the downsides to this I feel is that it doesnt really force you to grow up. The fact that I get paid every two weeks basically serves to enable me to get away with really bad habits, Im not saying I live paycheck to paycheck but sometimes its pretty close. There are things Im good at when it comes to my money, I dont smoke or go out to bars I really dont drink at all and I rarely eat out, maybe once every other week, I do most of my mealprep on my own on sundays being the fitness freak that I am. Ive come to realize that given the amount I make roughly 1750 every two weeks lets say that I should have WAYYY more money saved right now. I have 5000 dollars left of a car loan that I took out 2 years ago, and thats my only debt. I could pay this off in a few months if I really wanted to but Ive heard all kinds of conflicting advice about paying it off vs using the payments to build my credit i also have no idea what my credit score is at the moment which is probably a problem as well Im the type of person who can fight off an army of sharkhydradragon mutants and save the princess and not look at the explosion but I get extremely stressed out by the little things, Ive failed to pay phone bills, internet bills, my utilities even... simply because the idea of signing in and paying it felt so ridiculously daunting to me. I have set up automatic deductions and payments for those things now which I feel like has really started to save my skin. In addition to starting an investment account with USAA my secondary bank that takes about 100 bucks a month or so, I believe Im between 1000-1500 in that account now which is a huge accomplishment for me at least. I live alone but my rent isnt very much. I feel like I just dont keep track of where my money is going very well and using a debit card all the time seems to make the money not feel very real... at least until im 2 or 3 days from getting paid and I have to stomach the fact that all that money dissappeared yet again. I think setting some long-term and short-term goals would be a good way to get myself into financial shape. I figure if I can apply the same discipline I have in the gym to my finances, there should be nothing I cant accomplish. My real headache comes from not knowing how much money to save, where and how to save it, how to pay off debt as in should I pay it off as fast as I can? How much of this keep debt to build credit stuff is true? Working towards buying a house, working towards buying a car... etc... Like I said when I look at a list of tasks like this I have a really hard time tackling it all... Im going to be as honest as possible and Im open to answering any questions or none if this post doesnt attract any attention But Ill check this later on today, thanks in advance and Im glad to be a part of the community!EDIT: I just wanted to say thank you guys! i never expected Id get this much support and this much advice all so soon! I went ahead and ran a free credit check on myself and found out I have a 717, which feels like such a huge relief! I also went ahead and signed up for Mint so well see how that works out. I feel like I have a much more positive outlook on things now and Im looking forward to being a part of this community and learning how to be in control on my financial life. Thanks guys!!!  <response>: Keeping debt to build credit is unnecessary. The general rule of thumb is never pay interest to boost your score. Your best bet to build credit is to get a credit card and use it responsibly, i.e. dont buy things you normally wouldnt and pay it off in full each month. 