Advice on financial planning

You're already off to a great start by saving $10k, planning for a practical career, and having strong financial values. Here's how you can build on this solid foundation:

1. Delay Big Expenses (Like the Car)

Hold off on buying a car for now. You mentioned you're able to wait, which is smart. A car would drain not only your savings (purchase cost) but also add recurring costs like insurance, gas, maintenance, and repairs.
Alternatives: Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk for as long as possible. If you do eventually need a car, aim for a reliable, fuel-efficient used car in the $5k–$7k range.

2. Maximize Your Education Investment

Stick to your Associate of Arts program, especially since scholarships are covering your costs. Use this time to explore practical fields (programming, cybersecurity, etc.) that can lead to in-demand, high-paying jobs.
Leverage internships: Your plan to get internships is spot-on. Focus on building skills and experience in fields like video editing, graphic design, or programming. Practical experience often matters more than degrees in creative or tech industries.
Use your college resources: Tap into career centers and free workshops to build your resume and portfolio.

3. Invest in Skill Development

Online courses: Use affordable platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Codecademy to learn programming, cybersecurity, or animation tools. Many are inexpensive and can complement your college education.
Certifications: Look into beginner certifications like CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) or Google IT Support Certificate if you're exploring cybersecurity or IT. They’re affordable and can open entry-level doors.

4. Build and Protect Your Savings

Emergency Fund: Keep at least $3k–$5k in a savings account to cover 3–6 months of essential expenses. This safety net is critical before making big financial decisions like buying a car.
Conservative Investments: With the rest of your savings, consider opening a high-yield savings account (HYSA) or a Certificate of Deposit (CD) to earn a little interest while keeping your money safe.
Avoid unnecessary risks like crypto or speculative stocks at this stage.

5. Establish and Grow Credit

You’re already on the right track with your credit card. To keep building credit:
- Pay off your balance in full each month.
- Use no more than 30% of your credit limit (ideally under 10%).
- After 6–12 months, request a credit limit increase or consider adding a second card. This will improve your credit utilization ratio.

6. Budget and Track Your Spending

With your income, focus on living frugally:
- Prioritize essentials (tuition, rent, groceries).
- Minimize luxuries like eating out or unnecessary subscriptions.
Use free budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB to track your spending and savings goals.

7. Plan for the Future

Short-term: Build your emergency fund and focus on skill-building to land internships or part-time work in your field.
Medium-term: Transition to a high-paying, practical degree after your associate’s program. Save for a used car when it's truly necessary.
Long-term: Once your income increases, look into investing in a Roth IRA to start building long-term wealth.