<prompt> Human: Hello.So I am 20 years old and going to college for fire science. I almost have my associates degree and my school is 100 paid for and I live at home. I have had credit cards for about two years now and have accumulated about 2400 in debt spanning across three cards. I never miss a payment on them and when I have extra money I spend it towards them. Im not very good at saving money which is something I need to work on. My credit score is at 712 according to FICO which I assume is pretty decent for a 20 yo. I make 14 hour and work about 89 hours per paycheck. Now, I have a 2006 Mazda 3 with almost 140,000 miles on it. It runs fine but I would like to get a newer car with better fuel economy because I drive about 30 miles to work. Should I invest in a newer car even with my credit card debt or pay my credit cards off and then invest in a new car? Side note: I also got into an accident about 1 12 years ago so i am hoping that my insurance payment wouldnt be shit. Edit: Thank you guys for all of the advice. I learned a lot and as a 20 yo I clearly dont know everything or barely anything. Your advice is much appreciated! Assistant: First, you cant afford a new car and rent on 14 an hour. Simple. So, if you ever want to move out, then No.Beyond that, theres almost 0 chance a new car will be justified by gas millage. You can do some really rough math.A 2006 Mazda 3 gets 28 35 gas millage. So, lets call it 30 MPG in mix use. A 2018 Toyota Prius gets 50 MPG. You drive 30 miles to work Im assuming each way. That means, you should be driving 15600 miles per yer 30 2 5 52. Well throw in another 2400 for nights and weekends. So, 18K miles per year. At 30 MPG, youre burning 600 gallons at 3 a gallon or 1800 per year. At 50 MPG, youll be burning 360 gallons or 1080.The new Prius will save you 720 a year. Over 5 years that 3600.What will it COST you for a Prius? Well, a new one is 23K. The 5 year depreciation on that Prius is about 12000.So, youre buying a car that will lose 12K in value to save 3600. Youre wasting a ton of money.If you want a new car, admit it. But the math almost never favors buying a new one for gas millage. Human: Good point. Should I completely pay off the credit cards or does it help my credit score for the future to have some money on each one? Thanks!  <response>: Pay it off. You can use it and pay off the balance every month. That will give you a score, but youll pay no interest. 