Best Life Advice for 21-Year-Olds According to Reddit
If you are 21 years old and have recently discovered the world with a college degree and are looking to start life faster, you might want to seek advice from strangers on the Internet. We’re kind of kidding, but you can consult Reddit for all the pointers you need, as one eager college graduate recently did in a thread proving that flossing is just as important as opening a Roth IRA.
The branch published u / brielleeee99 , asking ” life hacking “, but in fact she is looking for basic advice on financial planning, which the editors gladly offer. She says that she and her boyfriend are trying to move beyond the kind of “fly and break,” bullshit about a culture of hustle and bustle that someone in her position might find while exploring the important question of how to succeed.
She writes:
As the title says, I am 21 (s) looking for “tricks” that I can implement in my life right now so that I can set myself up for future success. I work in the healthcare industry full time as an entry-level data analyst (literally just graduated in April) and so far everything I’ve read comes down to the grind / work insane but I want to know more. Stocks, investments, other forms of passive income, certain types of savings (RSP, TFSA, etc.). My boyfriend and I are interested in real estate that we can do in the future, as we’ve heard it can be quite successful. However, we are still learning, so I would really appreciate some advice from someone. Thanks!
The Redditors have swooped in with some great grains of wisdom that are worth your time if you’re in her shoes too.
How to tell if you really need to buy something
Redditor u / tvetus has come up with a smart exercise to help you avoid costly and unnecessary purchases.
They wrote:
For whatever you think about buying. Imagine if you bought it anyway, if it was 5 times more expensive. Because that’s how much it will cost you if you don’t invest that dollar.
Focus on today to enjoy tomorrow
Don’t get too carried away with your quest to build the future – and you can do this by focusing on the little things in the present. This is basically what u / MamaSheeba is trying to convey.
Don’t focus on the future in a way that doesn’t give you pleasure today. I don’t mean to waste like tomorrow, but enjoy what you have, not what you don’t!
Eat healthy food, exercise and avoid stress that can be avoided
It’s more of a holistic approach, but giving your body and mind what they need to meet life’s demands is a pretty good thing for a young person to get used to.
The editor u / alwayspickingupcrap wrote:
Avoid avoidable stress.
Take some form of exercise that is gentle on your joints, and do it regularly, no matter what.
Eat fresh, whole / real foods.
Establish a consistent sleep schedule that allows you to get enough sleep to help you feel refreshed in the morning.
Avoid avoidable stress.
Take advantage of your vacation
It’s a simple gem, but it’s very important: don’t waste your time trying to impress your boss or move up the career ladder. How to write u / alfith : «Take all the vacation days and not worry on this occasion.”
It is important! It makes no sense to ignore the time you are legally required to spend outside of work, and holding the blame for it is doing yourself a major disservice. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint, and you will need mental energy for a long time.
Play the long game when investing
Don’t get caught up in the idea that you are a wise investor who knows how to predict the growth of unicorns, because you will probably never become that person. Instead, create a Roth IRA and deposit as much as you can and play the long game by investing in low-risk mutual funds from today until retirement.
Here is what u / Embarrassed-Cap-6825 reported in his post:
Maximize your Roth IRA this year and every year …. just buy the S&P 500 and don’t touch it until you’re 60. It should be worth more than your lifetime earnings because of the magic of compound interest. The key is that you can’t touch it because that’s when you pick it up, panic selling during a recession, or pulling it out to pay a down payment on a home you can’t afford, etc.
Floss your teeth daily.
U / Sandome received the most votes for the simplest tip: “Floss your teeth.”
This is important not only for your oral hygiene and the health of your oral bones, but also as a metaphor for the wider form of your life. Don’t overlook the little things and don’t use ambition as a substitute for caring for yourself. However, u / brielleeee99 replied that she uses floss and brush “2 times a day!” This is a good sign that she is on the right track.