How much moeny should you have before graduating highschool?

Take 500 get girlfriend

Frankly, I think you should put more effort into school and less into work. Grades are much more important for someone intending to go on to university.

That said, sorry to tell you, but $12,000 really isnt that much. You'll burn through it like nothing. Consider the buying power of 12k when weighing the relative importance of work while in high school, when colleges or scholarship foundations may accept or reject you based on gpa or sat scores.

All that said, if you really want to save money in the long run, dont get a car, dont have a fancy cell phone, dont go out partying and blow what little money you do have. Learn to each inexpensively. Look for inexpensive housing opportunities while you can.

AND... reconsider going to University right out of high school. Financially and academically speaking, youre better off in every possible way going to community college first. Heres why:

The education (in freshman and sophomore years) is much better than those same levels at university, mainly because professors dont want to waste their time on "little stuff". Class sizes are larger at university - especially in the lower levels - which means less one-on-one time with the teacher, less interaction in the classroom.

The tuition is half as much, or less, at community college, too.

Community colleges are less competitive and easier to get in to. This isnt a bad thing. If prepares you for university as a stepping stone, helps to discipline you... and if you keep your gpa high, its one more thing on your record benefiting you when you apply to university. Youre ten steps ahead of anyone applying to university straight out of high school.

Its an opportunity to explore different subjects and fields without any real risk to you. Most universities require you to declare a major and will only let you take classes that work toward that end.

You also dont have to move right away. Community colleges are more numerous. Probably one in your home town. Save yourself the hassle and trouble of moving right now. Continue working your jobs and building your savings before you tackle junior and senior levels at university.

And lastly, you get to walk out of community college after two years with SOMETHING to your name. An associates is better than nothing after your first two years of school. That right there opens up opportunities for better employment and university applications before you even start your junior year. Most university juniors/seniors who went direct out of high school have nothing to their names and nothing benefiting their work opportunities.