I'm in the military and am moving to California for my next station. Right now I do not have a vehicle, but need one once I get there.

I make about 17k (fuck) and have about 8k right now in a hysa, 2k in my checking, and 2.7k cash that I'm going to deposit. 
I think a truck would work best for me and will motivate me to get out and about, but in my mind spending a little more on something reliable and clean is a good investment.

What do yall figure I should plan on spending on something decent? I know it's gonna blow my entire savings to shit regardless of what I spend, but it'd be nice to be smart about it!

Thank you!

Also, I do contribute to a Roth Ira and my tsp
Thank you for your service and the opportunity to provide some financial advice. 

Given your income and savings, it would be wise to spend as little as possible on a vehicle and still get something reliable. I'd recommend considering a used vehicle, maybe in the $5,000-$7,000 range. This would leave you with some savings for emergencies, which is always important. 

However, there are a few things you should consider:

1. Insurance: Don't forget to factor in the cost of insurance. This can vary greatly depending on the type of vehicle, its age, and your driving record.

2. Maintenance and Repairs: Older vehicles can often require more frequent and costly repairs. 

3. Fuel Efficiency: Trucks tend to consume more fuel than smaller vehicles, which can significantly add to your monthly expenses especially in California where gas prices are relatively high.

4. Financing: If you plan to finance the vehicle, aim for the lowest interest rate possible and try to avoid long-term loans that can keep you in debt for longer.

5. Depreciation: Vehicles are depreciating assets. This means their value decreases over time. Buying a used vehicle can help you avoid the steepest part of the depreciation curve, which occurs in the first few years of a new car's life.

6. Saving: Continue to contribute to your Roth IRA and TSP. These are fantastic tools for building wealth over the long term.

Also, you may want to consider other options such as biking, public transit, or ride sharing if they're feasible for your situation. It's great that you're thinking carefully about this purchase, as it's a significant one that can have a big impact on your financial situation. Good luck!
### Human
I'm in the military and am moving to California for my next station. Right now I do not have a vehicle, but need one once I get there.

I make about 17k (fuck) and have about 8k right now in a hysa, 2k in my checking, and 2.7k cash that I'm going to deposit. 
I think a truck would work best for me and will motivate me to get out and about, but in my mind spending a little more on something reliable and clean is a good investment.

What do yall figure I should plan on spending on something decent? I know it's gonna blow my entire savings to shit regardless of what I spend, but it'd be nice to be smart about it!

Thank you!

Also, I do contribute to a Roth Ira and my tsp

### Assistant
Thank you for your service and the opportunity to provide some financial advice. 

Given your income and savings, it would be wise to spend as little as possible on a vehicle and still get something reliable. I'd recommend considering a used vehicle, maybe in the $5,000-$7,000 range. This would leave you with some savings for emergencies, which is always important. 

However, there are a few things you should consider:

1. Insurance: Don't forget to factor in the cost of insurance. This can vary greatly depending on the type of vehicle, its age, and your driving record.

2. Maintenance and Repairs: Older vehicles can often require more frequent and costly repairs. 

3. Fuel Efficiency: Trucks tend to consume more fuel than smaller vehicles, which can significantly add to your monthly expenses especially in California where gas prices are relatively high.

4. Financing: If you plan to finance the vehicle, aim for the lowest interest rate possible and try to avoid long-term loans that can keep you in debt for longer.

5. Depreciation: Vehicles are depreciating assets. This means their value decreases over time. Buying a used vehicle can help you avoid the steepest part of the depreciation curve, which occurs in the first few years of a new car's life.

6. Saving: Continue to contribute to your Roth IRA and TSP. These are fantastic tools for building wealth over the long term.

Also, you may want to consider other options such as biking, public transit, or ride sharing if they're feasible for your situation. It's great that you're thinking carefully about this purchase, as it's a significant one that can have a big impact on your financial situation. Good luck!<eos_token>