Things you'd tell your 16 year old self...

dwtmahdc

double_mummy wrote: »

dear 16 year old double mummy

1. dont get pregnant

ouch, 'double mummy'! :rotfl:

BobbinAlong

I too work in IT and have a degree but having been involved in recruitment, I know that the very first reject pile of cv is those without a relevant degree or higher education qualification (HND etc.).


What would I say to myself?
Always keep your own separate bank account. By all means contribute to a joint one for bills but have your own for your spending and make the now-ex come shopping with you at least twice a month to ensure he sees that you aren't wasting money.
Don't be put down by now-ex or let him dominate and dictate what the family does all the time that it keeps you away from your family or making friends.
Fill up your personal pension (not just his) as much as you can afford and join the civil service sooner.
And join the university sailing club.

SueC_2

1. The sooner you learn to roll with the punches, the easier life will get.

2. A lot of things really don't matter as much as it feels like they do at the time.

3. You will be okay. Really.

Silian

1) Stop smoking. It is easy if you actually try.
2) Drink less. I'm not saying you shouldn't party but if you start to bulk buy vodka you have a problem.
3) Don't buy things you are never going to use just because you think it is cool. Like a pool table.

Follow the advice above and you will be able to retire at 35. If you don't you will have to wait until you are 45.

Mjkpio

Don't change a thing!

Everything I've done has led to a great life with many different experiences - change one thing and many of these things may not have happened.

The only thing I'd say is to be a little better at saving.

forzaitalia

Why does everyone say buy a house/flat in London? Have they seen the price of a rabbit hutch there? Unaffordable except for the mega rich.

Away from boring financial stuff, I would say enjoy life. Don't worry about how you look, as it will be the best you will ever look.

Be kind - treat others how you want to be treated.

If you can afford it, travel.

Appreciate your parents - they love you.

Don't worry about trying to buy a house - they cost the earth and you'd only get a mortgage if you are a high earner.

Spend all your money - you might be dead tomorrow!

dwtmahdc

forzaitalia wrote: »

Spend all your money - you might be dead tomorrow!

you might want to pop this on the moneyspendingexpert.com forum

Eco_Miser

forzaitalia wrote: »

Why does everyone say buy a house/flat in London? Have they seen the price of a rabbit hutch there? Unaffordable except for the mega rich.

Yes, they have seen the price now. They have also seen the much lower price back when they were 16.
So if their 16-year old (or more practically 21-year old) selves had bought a house in London, they would now be living in a place worth millions.

Sell up, retire, and go live in a National Park on the proceeds.

happyinflorida

To have bought lots of flats - which were around £10K in Brighton when I was 18 - I wouldn't have had to work at all with the way rents have gone up and all the mortgages would have been paid up long ago!

I also would not have written in the diary my mother gave me when I was 15 as I didn't know it but my parents read my diary until I left home at 25 and they were so two-faced and lied to me all the time. I had horrible, unkind and deceitful parents!

Orwell

Never get married. It has absolutely no upsides (unless you are God fearing) and many downsides including financial wipeout. Why build your own prison and lock yourself in it?