[Lewis Mc]

Being 20 has its downfalls... Am constantly being told how to spend my money, and everything to do with life -_- .... am not good with being told what to do , but no doubt in a few years when am old I'll look back and think why didn't I listen

So what would you tell yourself or advise yourself on if you could go back,

[MrPogle]

If I make a list of my regrets, the only ones that spring to mind are things I didn't do. I'd add to that that the only thing you have is time and when your time runs out you have nothing. You can turn your time into money by working but it is very hard to turn money back into time. Do your best by employing people to do things you don't want to and try to use your money to improve the quality of the time you do have.

[acerboo]

don't work hard, if at all, vote labour and take life easy!

[Hulla the Hulla]

Find something you are really passionate about and find a way to get paid to do it. You'll be happy for the rest of your life.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Don't be too hard on yourself....love yourself and what you do and make many mistakes to learn from.....just not the kind that put you in jail for a long time lol

[WilliamS]

Stay with my first job, stick with a paid off car, only buy what you can pay for.

[fooledyas]

Take more pictures

[MrPogle]

Originally Posted by Hulla the Hulla

Find something you are really passionate about and find a way to get paid to do it. You'll be happy for the rest of your life.

But realistically, find something you are good at and learn to love it.

[MrPogle]

If it's got wheels or tits, you can't afford it.

[Kerr]

Don't get tied down too young.

A nice car is nice to have, but there is far more to life than that.

15 years later everyone remembers the experiences of "the boy's" holidays, they don't remember what car I had at the time.

[zltm089]

Fuck bad bitches!!!

[old grey steve]

I sat back watched my friends get engaged have babies split up and have this constant battle over kids money etc and of course they'll be paying the price fir a long time. IMO all got their jollies all rushed into things too early left home gut a house and got wrapped up in the roller coaster we call life. Getting tied down too young can create problems of your not willing to roll up your sleeves and work with it rarely will say a 21 year old be able to do this while his mates are having the time if their lives living on great nights out/women and fast cars.

For me I was laid back, it's the west I was bought up. I had a car lived with my parents until I was 31(paid my way never got in their way)I wanted to be 100% secure in my own mind that I could afford a to jump in the housing bandwagon and pay my way! I sold my car bought an old runner that done me for a while before changing jobs and getting a company car and saved as much as I could, but was still happy.

History then for me was to watch others(bit like an observational comedian really) after all they make their money watching others make mistakes and make others laugh by sending these people they've observed up. Get a job like has been stated elsewhere they you'll enjoy life will be good for you but at your age it's quite normal to shop around on the job market front until you find the right thing and employers know this.

Everyone's different that's the thing. Plan ahead, if your able to try to put money aside as/when I can also for me I looked well into the future and set up a pension at the age of 19 which is going on reasonably strong til this day. Your young that's the thing enjoy life, I'm not the ideal role model, but I knew and was right to take the life journey I did my friends are in debt and will remain test way fir some time to come all because it was there and they had to take it and more.

But remember life's for living. So do your best and get the maximum from it

[Tom Droze]

Buy IBM stock!

[Lewis Mc]

Originally Posted by MrPogle

If it's got wheels or tits, you can't afford it.

This needs to be put on a T-shirt

[Lewis Mc]

Some interesting replies from people! I'd be happy looking back thinking thank god I bought that lottery ticket... Am due a win soon, I want to get out this hell hole of a cracker factory!.... yes I make crackers

[chris_s1]

Buy property sooner. I now realise all those years I rented I was just paying someone's mortgage for them. Although at the time I was convinced I was doing the right thing.

The age at which to start a family is a tough one. I had kids at 31 and all through my 20's I pitied my friends who had kids early and didn't go on exotic holidays, have sports cars etc etc.. But now those same friends are going to be kid-free (ie kids moved out) but the time they are 40 and I'm stuck with mine until I am 50+....
I think on balance I would advise myself to start a family earlier and just get on with it.

[E92Dan]

Have fun and don't worry about getting morgages or debts.
When kids arrive be happy to be "stuck" with them

[diaz92376]

Main thing I regret is not finishing college well I was younger. Unless your really lucky and land a good job a high school education will only get you so far. I'm back in school at 31 and feel like a old fart among all these kids. Finish school get paid and have fun before you have a family.

[Lewis Mc]

I'm seeing similarities between people's input and my future worries! I don't want to be to old and still live at home, I don't know if i want kids or not, and most of all I want more money, but unfortunately landed a nice paying job out of school, my cars paid off and am debt free, but... Working my way up in this factory looks very bleak, and my goal is 100k or more a year, only I have naff all skills an no trade etc, so am doomed if I lose this job.... Ahhh stress -_-

[mob17]

What about learning a trade which you enjoy? Maybe welding, bodywork repair and painting? Not sure if there's big money in that unless you invest in an accident repair shop.

[Lewis Mc]

Originally Posted by mob17

What about learning a trade which you enjoy? Maybe welding, bodywork repair and painting? Not sure if there's big money in that unless you invest in an accident repair shop.

I've looked into any trade to learn but most require full time learning and a stupid cost of 4-7k to purchase, I've even looked at jobs abroad or the rigs(think I need to be an engineer to get on there) or even air traffic control, I'd do anything to further my career but as long as it fitted into my 3 in 3 off shift pattern

[gangzoom]

Work harder at school/Uni, education is priceless, especially when it's so cheap in this country compared to other parts of the world.

I wouldn't think twice about paying to do an extra course etc, I've spent 12k on postgraduate courses in the last 3 years, but now I'm in a position where my CV clearly stands out over those of my peers, and am able to apply for positions my peers just cannot. So 12k investment in developing my self when I was in my late 20s has translate to me been able to almost pick and choose which jobs to go for in my early 30s (I'm actually been headhunted which in the current climate is an amazing position to be in), rather than having to sit around scrolling job websites and grabbing anything that comes your way.....But if I had worked harder at Uni in the first place and got some awards/distinctions rather than just 'passing' I wouldn't have needed to do all the extra postgraduate stuff ....but all the time spent instead of been at lectures was good fun

Buy Apple stock when it was about to go bankrupt back in 1995 ($100 = $67,000 now!!!).