u/FoulMouthWilly

I'm not a mechanic....daddy wasn't there. local shop quoted me $300 then turned around and said $500...started watching some videos and I think with some guidance from a friend I can figure this out. it doesn't look THAT difficult. my question is, do I HAVE to do a brake fluid flush? or can I get away with just changing the pads? the fluid is pretty old and dark. Those hand held vacuum pump gun things are pretty cheap and so are that pads. any advice for a newbie? TIA