<prompt> Human: Hi Reddit, for the past couple of years I have been educating myself on personal finances. Im now in my later twenties. I have lived and worked on my own since I turned 18. I never budgeted because my expenses were simple. I think things went haywire when I got my first credit card. SO. Ive been writing down everything I spend for the past few Months and it has been pretty shocking. I would like your input on what I can do next. Take home income: 2400 500 roommate. overtime hours, usually 200-500mo. Fixed expenses 15 year mortgage 1150.00 including HOA no PMI, has escrow Car 600 Utilities 225 internet, electricity, water, trash Auto Insurance 90month Grocerieseating out:600Student loan payment: 100 Debt: Student loan 3,500 at 6.9 Car Loan 33,000 at 4.2 Lowes card appliances: 700 0 for next 12 monthsBest buy more appliances: 1000 for next 6 monthsNo credit card balances. To make budgeting complicated, I travel for work so my company provides meal reimbursements tax free. I started keeping track of these amounts as well. Ive been trying to safe a few hundred dollars every month. Recently bought 500 worth of shitty stocks just for the hell of it, set it and forget it style. Unfortunately so far they are only losing money. Im putting away 7 pretax into 401k with employer match 50c on up to 4. My question is what decisions do I need to be making right now to become financially independent as quickly as possible. I realize that many of you are going to question my vehicle... Yes, its expensive. Ive had it on the market for the past few months with no luck. I know I really have to get rid of it, question is how much money should i afford to lose on it. I made a terrible trade in decision and bought gap coverage because I just didnt care about the consequences for some reason at the time of purchase. Market value is probably 3k less than what I owe on the car. I would really appreciate input on budgeting, calculations, investment advice and anything else you can think of. I feel like Im not in a terrible position as of now, but I am just really tired of overspending and living in debt. Thanks!  <response>: I dont know if Im telling you anything you dont already know, but if it were me this is what Id do: start with slashing cost of groceries and any other extra spending and try to cut it down a few hundred can you do 400 rather that 600 for groceries?, accelerate the payoff of your student loan since the interest is highest. You could probably pay it off within a year. By then your Lowes and Best Buy will be paid off so 3 payments gone. Meanwhile you could keep your car on the market just in case the right deal comes along. If not then catch up on its being upside down after those other 3 payments are gone and try to sell again or just pay it off and drive it forever, then never buy an expensive car again unless youre just rolling in cash in 10 yrs, haha. 