Welecome, Jacob! You are certainly the youngest person I recall posting here to date. It's always good to have the end game in focus, as it can help shape your actions from here on out.
My simple advice (simple in giving, not in executing), is figure out in what way you plan to make your money (college degree, tech job, construction, business, real estate, etc.).
Save as much as possible, from the beginning (I would start with 6% to 10% at your age). Invest in broad-based mutual funds or ETFs. As your income goes up, save more, and more or less keep your standard of living the same. This means living below your means. By age 40, you could have a $1M++ nest egg, depending on your salary, savings, and rate of return. Unless you inherit a large sum of money or win the lottery, 7 to 10 years is just not realistic. Keep going until your retirement assets are equal to your desired budget for 25 years of expenses (roughly the 4% rule), and then enjoy your retirement.
A few caveats. Don't forget to enjoy life along the way. Saving, scrimping, and never travelling or buying toys or cars or experiences that bring you joy could make you unecessarily miserable (balance in everything).
My story: I saved nothing from graduation from college for 2 years. Then, at around age 27, I started saving 6%. Fast forward to age 53, and I'm saving 48% and planning to retire in January, on or around my 54th birthday. Since I've been living below my means for so long, this means my standard of living and spending wil double. Go get 'em!
