Hey, glad to hear about what’s on your mind! 1. My main thought is that the most important thing given your situation is to focus on your own wellbeing and independence. The advice for students to donate is meant for people who have more freedom and would otherwise spend their money on unimportant things. Your situation sounds very different from that. Like Imma, I suggest using the money to invest in yourself—whether that’s food or other basics, saving for emergencies, or whatever will best support your needs. Getting to a better place in the next few years will enable you to do more to help others later if that’s what you choose. 5. At your age I also worried a lot about how to responsibly spend the rest of my life, but I suggest holding such plans very lightly. There’s a lot of time for all kinds of things to change. But if there’s comfort in imagining a retirement where you get to enjoy some tranquility, fine to keep it in mind as a “someday / maybe” possibility.
Hey, glad to hear about what’s on your mind!
1. My main thought is that the most important thing given your situation is to focus on your own wellbeing and independence. The advice for students to donate is meant for people who have more freedom and would otherwise spend their money on unimportant things. Your situation sounds very different from that. Like Imma, I suggest using the money to invest in yourself—whether that’s food or other basics, saving for emergencies, or whatever will best support your needs. Getting to a better place in the next few years will enable you to do more to help others later if that’s what you choose.
5. At your age I also worried a lot about how to responsibly spend the rest of my life, but I suggest holding such plans very lightly. There’s a lot of time for all kinds of things to change. But if there’s comfort in imagining a retirement where you get to enjoy some tranquility, fine to keep it in mind as a “someday / maybe” possibility.