<prompt> Human: Hey, I just won 100k because of a lawsuit. Should I pay off my student debt which is roughly 100k? What is a smarter option? Ive never had a significant amount of money so I dont know what to do...Assistant: Windfalls Your question isnt something we can definitively answer. While clearing your student loan debt may be a VERY GOOD idea, it could also be a bad idea. 100k is enough to establish an emergency fund, max out an IRA for the year, and set up a very strong portfolio. Maybe you dont need these things because youve already done them or you have a good job that can do them for you. Maybe you have other debts to clear or other life expenses that you need to deal with.My advice is to put the money in a high yield savings account, sit on it, and think very carefully about what you want to do with it. Human: Literally have nothing. Just live paycheck to paycheck at a bike shop.  <response>: Since you live check to check, I would set up a 6 month emergency fund to take care of bills if need be. Then use a huge chunk to pay down the loans. 