<prompt> Human: Hey everyone as the title says I have found myself back at square one financially and I have found it very humbling to say the least. I want to take every step I can to never be back in this situation. 3 years ago I had 30k in a savings account but due to a combination of terrible spending habits and just some straight up terrible luck hit and run twice, was sued and lost, settled a 3 car pile up out of pocket because I was one accident away from being un-insurable and I was working as a delivery driver so my insurance wouldnt have covered it anyway. Long story short here I am at 29 living at my parents house again. I am very grateful for their help and their patience but still there is a part of me that feels like a failure. I dont want to rely on them for anything. Any advice on becoming and staying self sufficient would be greatly appreciated. So here are the basics: I make 12hour full time no benefits as a retail store manager so my check usually comes out around 800 to 825. I have a review coming up and my regional manager said to expect a raise because I have shown that I am very valuable I work harder and know more than the other people in my position because of previous work experience and Im insanely good at customer service. Im thinking about asking for 15hour. I was paid today and got my credit card debt down to 50. I have a 1200 credit limit. I will be able to get that down to 0 in two weeks when I get paid again. Once that is paid off I can start saving again to prepare to move out. I just finished reading The Richest Man in Babylon and have drafted a budget as follows: 900 rent and bills 225 groceries 100 gas 150 fun eating out, movies, beer, vhs collecting 160 savings 30 art supplies That puts me at 1565month which gives me a little wiggle room to put more in savings or if I end up with a lot of closing shifts usually only work 7.5 hours on a closer But a raise is coming my way soon. In conclusion I am curious what you guys think of my budget and how I should negotiate my raise. Richest Man in Babylon suggested saving 10 of income no matter what but I want my budget to accommodate saving a little bit more. How much should I have saved up before moving out? How muchwhere should I keep my emergency fund? I have a bank of America checking account but should I open a savings account for the 10 at a different bank? I just want to cover every base and take every precaution I can so I dont have to burden my parents anymore and so that they can be proud of me taking care of myself. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Edit: I forgot to add that my 10 year plan is to make a modest supplemental income off my painting and writing.Assistant: Id negotiate a better career. How about nursing? Human: You arent the first person to suggest nursing after Ive mentioned I love helping people. My only fears are tuition and working through school. To be honest my 10 year plan is make some side income off my artwork.  <response>: going to community college for the first year or 2 would significantly reduce the tuition and if its too much work and you cant make it then it wouldnt be that big of a loss 