I dropped out of college and traveled to Thailand for a month and then Europe for a month at 21 - but I'm not telling you to do that.
I did Thailand under 3k for a month (living like a king) and have never once regretted the decision - BUT, I did have considerably more money saved up than you do.
Here is the reality: you are F*cking young and in a position to take risks. The most important thing moving forward through life will be to be self-aware and learn from your mistakes and NOT dig yourself into holes that you can't get out of.
So, definitely don't put yourself in any consumer debt.
Sit down and think through things like this:
1) What kind of life do I want to lead? (Think of your relationships, your finances, your business, etc.)
2) What is the best route to getting to this life?
3) What actions could severely screw my chances to achieve this life?
At 18 you aren't going to have clear answers due to a lack of experience. What you can do is experiment, learn, and minimize downside (no debt, for example). You still need to try and answer the above questions to the best of your ability.
If you don't want to go to college right now - perhaps 6 months off would be a good starting point. It doesn't have to immediately be the end of the world to your parents. You can start with some breathing room.
Instead of immediately going on vacation, what I would do first is buy the car Use this car as transportation to work a job for a short period of time and then get back to at least $3k. THEN go on a vacation if you want.
The reason that I would get a car first is because you need to have autonomy - and without a car you are your parents' bitch.
Think for yourself and make sure that you do so in a principled fashion. If you decide to start a business - pay attention to MJ's book and stick to CENTS.
You'll have an amazing life ahead of you if you are patient, self-aware, hard working, and focused. College is only necessary for a few paths in life, so don't let mainstream thinking cloud your thoughts.
I did Thailand under 3k for a month (living like a king) and have never once regretted the decision - BUT, I did have considerably more money saved up than you do.
Here is the reality: you are F*cking young and in a position to take risks. The most important thing moving forward through life will be to be self-aware and learn from your mistakes and NOT dig yourself into holes that you can't get out of.
So, definitely don't put yourself in any consumer debt.
Sit down and think through things like this:
1) What kind of life do I want to lead? (Think of your relationships, your finances, your business, etc.)
2) What is the best route to getting to this life?
3) What actions could severely screw my chances to achieve this life?
At 18 you aren't going to have clear answers due to a lack of experience. What you can do is experiment, learn, and minimize downside (no debt, for example). You still need to try and answer the above questions to the best of your ability.
If you don't want to go to college right now - perhaps 6 months off would be a good starting point. It doesn't have to immediately be the end of the world to your parents. You can start with some breathing room.
Instead of immediately going on vacation, what I would do first is buy the car Use this car as transportation to work a job for a short period of time and then get back to at least $3k. THEN go on a vacation if you want.
The reason that I would get a car first is because you need to have autonomy - and without a car you are your parents' bitch.
Think for yourself and make sure that you do so in a principled fashion. If you decide to start a business - pay attention to MJ's book and stick to CENTS.
You'll have an amazing life ahead of you if you are patient, self-aware, hard working, and focused. College is only necessary for a few paths in life, so don't let mainstream thinking cloud your thoughts.