<prompt> Human: I currently have a job working an oil field related job making 15hr. The problem being is its more of contract work being I get a check at the end of the week as well as I do lawn services on the side. Is there something I should invest in a vanguard account or something similar, or just continue to keep my savings in a FDIC-insured saving account where it is now? I live fairly frugally as I pay for everything but house, clothes and my car so any non-essential expenses are on me, meaning I can save almost all of my money now if it means I can really benefit from it by investing it somewhere. General suggestions please?  <response>: Okay. Youre going to hear a lot of people with really good advice about the future. Thats awesome. Thats valuable perspective, and its good to hear.Ill tell you the other side of the story.I was in your exact same situation. Went into college with about 6k and my parents paying for it. I determined that, whatever I could make off of that money was not worth me not being able to touch it.Want to go skiing for a weekend? Even though itll cost 400? Sure thing, sounds like a blast. Want to take a trip for spring break? Absolutely, you got it. Want to be able to eat out every once in a while or have the means to drink quality booze? Yessir.You see, I knew Id want to have access to money. I dont waste money, per se; I have good spending habits. But to me, I know I will be financially well off with my degree, so I want to be able to have fun with the money that Ive earned thus far.I also drive a kick-ass car now that will last for the next 10 years, that I paid for all of myself with internship money. If I had stowed money away into a mutual fund or whatever, I wouldnt even have a car next year my old one was dying. So, my advice? Treat yoself. Dont be dumb with it. And try to save as much of it as possible probably look for a high-yield online savings. But college sucks sometimes, and its nice to have liquid money to pay for thingsexperiences you want.And when college is over and youve got more leftover, take a kickass trip. Abroad or otherwise. 