<prompt> Human: Im 22 and just graduated college, making between 66-70k my first year at work. I have about 20k in college debt no interest to my parents, and I just pay them a bit here and there, no rush on that really. CreditKarma says I have a score of about 740. Ive been living at home the past 3 months and have already saved up quite a bit of money.So my question is this: how can I tell if I can afford something? Ive always wanted a nice car for instance, how can I tell when Im able to buy one and how expensive? How can I tell if I should buy that new big TV? What are your rules of thumb for making purchases? I really dont spend much money at all, but I do have a few big items that I want to get and then I would be all set.  <response>: -Weigh the value of the thing purchased today against the lost future wealth. Since youre young, a little money spent today cost you a lot in the future. -Resolve to pay as you go if you dont have 20K in the bank, dont buy a 20K car. Stay off the debt treadmill. -Follow the dont buy stupid shit rule - if a 5K car will serve its purpose as well as a 30K car, the 30K car is in this category. Live frugally when youre young and save money. 