<prompt> Human: I am nineteen and almost headed back to the states after nine months of being deployed. I have saved over 18k since my first job at the age of 15 up until now. I have been an impulse buyer but I am learning to be frugal with my money. I always think of things to spend my money on because I like to think of having the things I couldnt afford growing up. At the end of the day I know I dont want to waste it all, and I want to make my money work for me. Any tips on how to handle it or who to get to help me manage it. 18k is not a lot of money in my view because I have seen my father blow through double that in less than a year after winning 50k off a three dollar scratch offaround 34k after taxes. I have already planned a money market account instead of a savings. Any other suggestions, I am all ears. ThanksAssistant: I would say use it towards a house, but only if you guys still get a VA loan. Thats about the only thing I can think of atm.Human: I thought of this. Only reason I have not followed through with it is im only nineteen and would not want the responsibility of a mortgage. Its more of I dont think im ready. A VA Loan doesnt require a down payment for a house but if a down payment helped make a lower payment over time and less interest I would do it. Another thing is I would like a home back in Florida but I could not do that either because one of the requirements for a VA Loan is that the home has to be my primary residence, and I am not stationed in Florida or even near it. I thought long and hard on buying a home as sort of an investment but Ill put that thought on hold for now. Thanks  <response>: At 19, I think buying a house wouldnt be a good move. If you stay in, youll likely move before you get to a point where you have equity in it. 