<prompt> Human: Background info: This is not a troll post, and I would appreciate it if people treat the thread the same way. Im using a throwaway account.As a result of a surprisingly successful and simple website I built 3 months ago, I now have approximately 9000-10000 USD net coming into my Paypal account every month. However, the nature of the online business is fairly unstable, and I doubt I would be able to sustain it successfully for more than a few years due to the quickly changing conditions. All the money is in American funds, even though I live in Canada.For the most part, Ive just reinvested the money back into the business, but now Im at the point where there isnt much to upgrade anymore. Ive already put as much money as I can into my workstation where I work on my site, and I have no debts, no liabilities, and very few expenses. If my revenue cut off today, I could get out of the business almost instantly with no significant loss of funds.Im 16 and I live with my parents. I dont own a car, but I plan on buying one within a year. Im still in High School, and doing fairly well with my studies. mid to high 80s. Ive noticed that Ive already developed unhealthy spending habits, such as buying 4000 in computer parts over the past few months I use the computer to work, so that is somewhat justifiable, or spending 20 a day on eating out. How much spending is okay? Should I be seriously worried about my habits?What are my investment options? Should I start working on my retirement fund? ETFs? Stocks? Mutual Funds? Any help would be appreciated, if any more information is needed, Ill be happy to share. Im a bit uncomfortable discussing the nature of the website, or revealing the website itself, as Im scared of revealing my identity or spawning competitors.  <response>: So, being of the age where I was able to take some small advantage of the dot-com boom and watched many others do the same... and each subsequent boom and bust -- you may never, in your life, ever make this kind of money again. Some people string together success after success, and some were just a flash in the pan.The biggest regret of those one hit wonders is spending heavily while the money was pouring in, then being trapped in shitty jobs later because they spent their money on crap, had no savings, and therefore could take no risks. Theyre sort of forced into being one hit wonders because they cant afford the failures that come with entrepreneurship.The reason some people are advocating a large-ish emergency fund is not because youre going to be hit by a bus, but because the stock market is volatile. You could lose half your investment or more in a single year if the shit hits the fan, depending how you are invested. When that happens, youll be loath to pull your money out of the stock market to cover living expenses, and you usually shouldnt. The idea is buy low, sell high, not the reverse.Having 20,000 or 10,000 or whatever set aside is so if you hit 20, and the stock market tanks, and your web site isnt making money anymore, you can still afford to try something new without touching your investments. And you can still have your own apartment if you want, pay your own bills, etc, all the stuff that youll probably want in a few years.Additionally, having cash assets after a crash is a great way to take advantage of it. Stocks are on sale!I hope that helps. You seem like you have a great head on your shoulders, and good luck with everything. 