I’m 25, and I’m looking for some honest advice because I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I don’t know what direction to take anymore.

I originally started college after high school but eventually dropped out. Around that time, I moved out of my parents’ house and started working in nightlife. I was in a relationship with someone significantly older than me, and during those years, I made some major financial decisions that I deeply regret.

Between the ages of 21 and 24, I accumulated approximately $50,000 in debt. A large portion of that came from a vehicle loan that eventually went into repossession. There were some complicated circumstances surrounding the vehicle and its eventual sale. My former partner became involved in recovering and selling it, and I was promised a portion of the proceeds. I never received that money, and I don’t know where the vehicle ended up.…