7 Things: Some Advice

By Sarah Baar

Though I am not really an expert at anything, I have general knowledge about many things. Sometimes I like to give advice. Take it or leave it.

  1. Start saving for retirement immediately. Experts estimate that you’ll double your investment return if you start saving at 25 instead of 35. Most companies offer a 401k or similar retirement investment plan. Sign up for it. Immediately. Even if you think you’re setting aside a dinky amount of money each pay period, it’s still worth it in the long run. Don’t trust me? John Green agrees.
  1. Get rid of debt (if you have any). The average grad has about $35,000 in debt when they finish college. If you have student loans, credit card debt, or you owe your buddy twenty bucks, start paying them off now and pay more than the minimum monthly payment. You’ll end up saving money in the end.
  1. Make a budget (and do your best to stick to it). This will help you pay off your debt and it will help you realize that spending five dollars on coffee every day might not help with that process.
  1. Thank the people who helped you. Teachers, family, friends. The next step of your life will be all that much richer if you say thank you to the people who supported you. And it feels good, too.
  1. Develop a non-digital hobby. This one sounds a bit silly, but I realized how much time I’ve been spending with my face in my computer. Then I had lunch with a friend, spent the afternoon reading a book (a real, live book, not an ebook on my Kindle or computer), and took a walk outside. Going electronics-free for a day (or an afternoon if you can’t handle a whole day) is good for the soul.
  1. Build community. To be honest, I wasn’t great at staying in touch with high school or even college friends. When I started working, I found a group of like-minded women who supported and encouraged each other. It made all the difference. Sometimes it takes a while to find people who click. But it will happen, and it will be awesome. Be ready for it.

7. Have fun. You’re only young once. And while saving for retirement and getting rid of debt are important and will help you live a fuller life, don’t forget to pay attention to the now. It’s fabulous.

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