What financial advice would you give a 24 yr old that you wish someone would've

1. 61

   MochaBelleposted 15 years ago

   What financial advice would you give a 24 yr old that you wish someone would've give you at 24?
   
   What mistakes should a 24 year old avoid? What should they do now to put them in a stronger financial position 10 years from now?

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2. 87

   Austinstarposted 15 years ago

   What a wonderful question!
   First, start or continue to save at least 10% of whatever you make. Don't buy things on credit, it costs way too much. Save up and pay cash and look for discounts.
   Second, invest in yourself. Get and stay active and healthy. Oh man, I wish someone had forced me to do that. I'm 58 now and I can barely remember what a day without pain is like. It is very true that the older you get, the harder it is to stay in shape. Gotta make that a priority or you won't enjoy your savings when you need to.
   Third, don't forget to enjoy life. I don't mean go out and get drunk and party. I mean enjoy your friends and family and find a passion to last you for your life. Maybe two.

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   1. 61

      MochaBelleposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer Austinstar!

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3. 61

   Daniel J. Neumannposted 15 years ago

   Always pay off the principal to your loans. It'll help your credit rating, and you'll pay less in interest later.

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4. 68

   Tusitala Tomposted 15 years ago

   AustinStar provides excellent advice.  Those who do manage to save that 10% are often tempted to dig into their savings to buy something they want such as a car, or an overseas holiday.  Don't do that.   You could perhaps have a 'never to be touched account' and a 'saving up for something I want account.'  The latter to be used for those things you want in the reasonably near future.   The 'Don't touch account' is for that big purchase, your own home!
   
   As for keeping fit, at seventy-four I can say I'm fortunate.  But then, I've worked on it all of my life.   Weight-bearing exercises (e.g. pumping iron) aerobics, (e.g. cycling, swimming or even walking) and yoga-type exercises is the way to go.   No need to become a fanatic.  Just make sure you do some at least two or three days a week, and keep it up all your life.

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5. 0

   ahorsebackposted 15 years ago

   point #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,+,9, prepare for retirement, early and safely, before you know it you will be close to it, retirement age.....that is, when you are young you think you will always be young.

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6. 79

   Joni Douglasposted 15 years ago

   I would tell them to pay themselves, in a mutual fund or something and never touch it. Start young and their future will be brighter.  Make at least one extra house payment every year.  Use credit wisely, not for shopping - only for emergency need.

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7. 51

   holllym333posted 15 years ago

   DO NOT GET MORE THAN 1 CREDIT CARD!!! They eat up your income.

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8. 83

   ExpandYourMindposted 15 years ago

   Live as as cheaply as possible for as long as you can , ie. if you live with your parents, stay 6-months or a year longer and save.  But, offer to pay your parents a small amount.  Learn about stocks and investments.  Consider your first home purchase carefully.  Save . . . save . . . save.  Plan for major expenses.  Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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9. 59

   VagabondEposted 15 years ago

   Make money doing something you enjoy. It might not make the most money but you will be happier and healthier.

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10. 72

    Azure11posted 14 years ago

    Yes, I agree with the other posters - save some money every month because for sure one day you will need it. If you have a regular job put a small amount by for a pension because one day you will be old. When you are 24 you can afford to maybe do some higher risk investments for the long term (stocks, shares) so get some advice on that. If you can afford it, buy property then you will always have somewhere to live, but don't buy above your means, make sure you can keep up the repayments. But most of all, do something fun with your money that you will remember - but make sure it is money you have and have not borrowed.

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11. 60

    Ross Harrisonposted 14 years ago

    Start buying gold and/silver, true money.  When fiat currency fails, and it will, we will all revert to something of true value, and history has shown it to be gold and silver.
    
    Invest in your own financial education and get more than one source of income: earned, portfolio, passive.

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