<prompt> Human: I am an Army Veteran who has never made more than 40,000 in a year. I made about 35,000 in 2016. I recently passed a licensing exam that will propel my civilian career forwards and am about to start a new job as a result. Its commission based but other employees in the position I will be working generally make between 75,000-100,000 annually. I also have a friend whos cousin is looking to rent out a house she owns. Its out in the country and will add a little bit to my commute, but shes only asking 200month from each of the three of us who will be renting the house from her. My current apartment costs me about 900 a month to live in when I factor in utilities. My vehicle is paid off so I dont have a car payment, just an insurance bill. So in essence I will have the option to saveinvest most of my income. Ive always just lived paycheck to paycheck in the past so Im not really sure how to go about doing this. Ideally I would like to buy my own house this is where the veteran part comes in because I am eligible for a VA home loan, and save up some money to start my own business one day as well as squirrel some money away for retirement. Any advice on how to best go about doing this would be greatly appreciated.  <response>: Live like you still make 35-40k, and invest the rest. 