<prompt> Human: Im a 3rd year mechanical engineering student currently entering my 4th and final year of engineering in September after a year long internship. My calculated savings after a year of work is 36,767 and am wondering how to use this money to set myself up successfully post-university. Currently I have a couple expenses during the school year that Ive accounted for that brings this number down. These are the numbers till graduation:Tuition: 6,680.28Living: 8,000Vacation: 5,000Unexpected costs: 3000Total: 22,680.28This leaves me with 14,000 estimated by the end of the year. Ill also have 26,800 in student loans when I graduate.My question is, how I would go about using this 14,000 to set myself up for success financially in the future. Please note that Im not asking how to become rich using this money, but in what ways I could use this money wisely.  <response>: Id say hold onto it for the moment. Unless you have a job lined up in the city you currently live in, youre going to have a major life change a year from now and cash on hand makes that a lot smoother. Assuming you graduate with a job lined up in a different city, youll need to move all your stuff or at least buy a plane ticket. Some companies offer relocation, but many reimburse you after the fact instead of writing you a check before you get there, so you need to be able to front that money. Youll need a deposit and first month rent on a new apartment. You may want some amount of furniture or at least a bed. You may need dishes and other kitchen essentials so you arent eating out all the time. You may also get a job at a place that pays monthly and will need to get through that first month without any money coming in. Assuming you graduate and are still looking for a job, then the cash will come in handy for existing until you find one and then all of the above will apply.I, for one, would much rather have extra cash I didnt end up needing after getting through all of that than come up short but have a nice IRA. Once you are established in a new job with a place to live, then throw some excess into a retirement account. Missing one year of growth to ensure a smooth transition isnt a bad deal in my opinion. 