General Advice You'd Give Someone Younger

[_33]

Don't start playing a dumb instrument (trumpet, clarinet, trombone, etc) as a kid. Instead start playing a cool instrument (guitar, piano, etc) and get really good because I bet it would be awesome to be awesome at a cool instrument as an adult.

[sys]

financial freedom is nothing to laugh at.

it's great advice for people that are too stupid to figure out anything themselves and have no impulse control whatsoever.

[DQ12]

have opinions, but don't be deadset on sticking to your guns about them.  let your point of view change with new experiences.  even about really important stuff.

when you think you're wrong about something, notice it, and be excited about it, because you're better now than you were.

[sys]

i'm going to retire before 50.  hopefully substantially before.  i don't understand people that don't want to retire.  the idea of not having anything you're more interested in than whatever someone is paying you to do is pretty sad to me.

[Dugout DickStone]

Is financial freedom no debt at all?  Like no mortgages, car payments, insurance or anything?

Because wtf?  How does investing for retirement in your 20's clear up your Well's Fargo note on your houses?

[Teddy_Westside]

Don't start playing a dumb instrument (trumpet, clarinet, trombone, etc) as a kid. Instead start playing a cool instrument (guitar, piano, etc) and get really good because I bet it would be awesome to be awesome at a cool instrument as an adult.

Welp, failed that one miserably.

[kitten_mittons]

Is financial freedom no debt at all?  Like no mortgages, car payments, insurance or anything?

Because wtf?  How does investing for retirement in your 20's clear up your Well's Fargo note on your houses?

Buy a 12k house with cash. Who cares if you live in a shithole, eating canned soup, during your boring young years. You can retire when you are 50 on this plan and you can go do whatever you want after that.

[Dugout DickStone]

i'm going to retire before 50.  hopefully substantially before.  i don't understand people that don't want to retire.  the idea of not having anything you're more interested in than whatever someone is paying you to do is pretty sad to me.

If you aren't an owner, this is true.  I remember when I wasn't a boss.

[Rams]

Re: the debate between doing what you and love and income...

pro-tip: sometimes you don't have to choose.

no crap Sherlock

well every post on this subject in this thread was written as if you can choose to do something you love or you can choose to do something that pays well. just thought it was important to note that it's not either/or.

[Domino]

Don't start playing a dumb instrument (trumpet, clarinet, trombone, etc) as a kid. Instead start playing a cool instrument (guitar, piano, etc) and get really good because I bet it would be awesome to be awesome at a cool instrument as an adult.

As a child (5th grade,) I started out on a dumb instrument (saxophone) played that for 5 years, then towards the end of that time started playing guitar. Been playing that on and off since, while I've only touched the saxophone a handful of times.

That said, I don't think I'd have as much an appreciation for the guitar and music in general if I didn't start young and on a "dumb" instrument.

[The Tonya Harding of Twitter Users Creep]

I wish I could go back and tell 14 year old KSC to learn a second language. That or take a personal finance class.

[Rams]

I guess I understand what some of you are saying re: find a job that you can "tolerate" and you don't need to find one that you love.  but if you have to work 8 hours a day, that's a shitload of your life that you spend just "tolerating" something.  that doesn't seem like a very good way to go through life.    I just can't imagine having to get up most days and spending virtually the entire day doing something that I don't love.

let's say you loved bball, had practiced bballing your whole life and were pretty good at it.  then let's say you finally decided to get a job in bball and it was really hard because tons of dumbasses also love bball and there isn't that much need for bball players.  but you finally find a bball job that pays pretty well.

you won!  you did it!  congratulations, here's your ball.  go stand in the corner over there and dribble it for 8-12 hours every day.

what in the love of eff are you talking about? how in the eff would you make good money dribbling a ball for 8-12 hours every day and who would want to do that? I didn't say find something you love to do and do it 12 hours a day for a living. don't be a dumbass. I said you should do something you love doing every day. it's a pretty important distinction.

[michigancat]

Re: the debate between doing what you and love and income...

pro-tip: sometimes you don't have to choose.

no crap Sherlock

well every post on this subject in this thread was written as if you can choose to do something you love or you can choose to do something that pays well. just thought it was important to note that it's not either/or.

mine weren't

[Rams]

Re: the debate between doing what you and love and income...

pro-tip: sometimes you don't have to choose.

no crap Sherlock

well every post on this subject in this thread was written as if you can choose to do something you love or you can choose to do something that pays well. just thought it was important to note that it's not either/or.

mine weren't

I was pointing this out to all the other people that chimed in wanting to make it a choice.

[_33]

Don't get a cat as a kitten because you have no idea what their temperament will be like when they grow up.  They could be really mean and terrible to be around.  If you must get a cat go to a shelter and spend some time with a few cats and ask about their temperament so that you know what you're getting into.

[Cartierfor3]

Don't start playing a dumb instrument (trumpet, clarinet, trombone, etc) as a kid. Instead start playing a cool instrument (guitar, piano, etc) and get really good because I bet it would be awesome to be awesome at a cool instrument as an adult.

Learn as many instruments as you can. "Dumb" or "Cool" or other.

[8manpick]

-start getting into the points/miles game now. it will give you baller credit and let you travel the world in first class for free for the rest of your life.

-if you are smarter than everyone make sure they know it but make sure they don't know you are making sure they know it.

-save money for retirement but spend a lot now on things you love. you can do amazing things in the prime of your life or you can sit on some money when you are old and can no longer do those things no matter how much money you saved.

-leaving a shitload of money for your kids isn't doing them any favors and they won't remember you more fondly for it.

-student loans are one of the greatest government benefits there are. use them. working 40 hours a week while going to school is never a better idea than working 10 and having a small amount of 1.6% long term debt at graduation.

-don't feel like you have to have kids just because the dickwad next door has 7. he's lying to you. he doesn't want to spend 100% of his free time at baseball games.

-but, if you want kids have them. they seem pretty great in certain situations.

-if you're feeling down just hop on an airplane and get out for a day or two.

-carry on whenever possible. usually if you think it's not possible it actually is.

-don't buy garbage, you get more than what you pay for in almost all instances. find the very best of what you are looking to buy and then find the best price for it.

-owning X really high quality Ys is better than owning >X medium quality Ys. (the number and the item aren't important and can be changed to anything).

-relationships are pretty easy, I can't provide much advice there. nature v. nurture or whatever.

-don't stay somewhere cheap because it's just a bed.

-gamble, but don't be a dumbass. it's not an investment.

-try all the less scary drugs at least once. don't do it, like, a ton though.

Have done all but the points thing.  Regret that, but fortunately work has provided same insane travel that hoarding points does.

Also, don't have a "bucket list" to accomplish when old. Do all of it when young.  I've hit any bucket list of sports in North America except the Masters ( don't love golf)... World Series, Super Bowl, derby, all national titles, baseball playoffs, America's cup, triple crown (silver charm!), Tyson Holyfield
Been to oscars and Grammys

SD wins again.
Edit: so does lsoc, meant to just quote sd though

[Rams]

learn to cook.  not just grilling and easy crap.  like really learn to cook.  you can have a great meal any time you want and knowing how to cook like a boss is really sexy.

[TheHamburglar]

Re: the debate between doing what you and love and income...

pro-tip: sometimes you don't have to choose.

no crap Sherlock

Something wrong Mich?

[sys]

Don't get a cat as a kitten because you have no idea what their temperament will be like when they grow up.  They could be really mean and terrible to be around.  If you must get a cat go to a shelter and spend some time with a few cats and ask about their temperament so that you know what you're getting into.

maybe good advice.  sounds good at least.  on the other hand, cats are disposable, so if you get a bad one just try again.

oth, get a puppy, not a dog.  and get a good one.

[Dugout DickStone]

Wait, I always check bags if over 2 days but I have a car service and bag fees paid by work.

I usually have to have 3-4 pairs of shoes so carry on is not option.

[sys]

Wait, I always check bags if over 2 days but I have a car service and bag fees paid by work.

I usually have to have 3-4 pairs of shoes so carry on is not option.

sd gets a little crazy with the carry on stuff.

[pissclams]

never focus on what you do have, only on what you don't

[bones129]

start your own business.

 

[_33]

Never buy a telescope.  The ones that are affordable just basically make stuff that you can already see look a little bigger.  Also they are a hassle to set up and have tons of little pieces that are easy to lose.  Also you won't actually take the time to learn how to do it right because you just want to point it at the sky and see neat stuff and it doesn't work like that.  Just look at space pictures online.