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

westy22

Orwell wrote: »

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?

Well, at least you're not bitter about it ...

hairypitz

Don't worry about your spots. In 15 years they will be replaced with wrinkles.

Snakey

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.

Me personally, because I bought in 2014 and if I'd bought in about 1995 I'd have got more house for a lot less money and not been throwing away on rent for years either. The mortgage would have been paid off years ago and I could be retired now, at 43. Note: not retired on the proceeds of selling the flat, since I intend for them to carry me out of here in a box (in about 60 years time, with luck), but retired because I would not have housing costs.

Anybody saying it just because of the money they'd make on selling it, would be better off telling their 16-year-old self some nice rollover lottery numbers instead - as I believe somebody already did upthread . But the fact is, something like 1 in 8 of the population live in Greater London and it's not all about the money.

wishingiwasrich

1). Never let anyone walk over you.
2). Always remember to listen.
3). Only give an opinion when its asked for.
4). Always be polite, and never rise to the bait.
5). Sometimes other people know best.
6). When you pass your driving test, it doesn't make you a good driver.
7). Remember when driving to expect the unexpected, and all drivers can be idiots.
8). Humans make mistakes.
9). Remember that teamwork makes for great achievements, but only when they all pull their weight, so you'll need to be doing that, to be a part of the winning team.
10). Never part from loved ones on bad terms, you may not get the chance to make up.
11). The world is a wonderful place, so deserves the utmost respect, always.

Tabbycat33

1. Don't marry the b*****d, he means well but will turn out to be a controlling freak who won't let you have your own life or be the person you need to be. THE INEVITABLE AND EVENTUAL DIVORCE WILL BE MESSY!

2. Put a tiny bit of your salary away each week in a savings account, you'll be amazed how it will grow over the years.

3. Stop drinking cans of Breaker. Seriously, trust me. :rotfl:

beanie414

Eco_Miser wrote: »

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.

Yes, exactly.

Snakey wrote: »

Me personally, because I bought in 2014 and if I'd bought in about 1995 I'd have got more house for a lot less money and not been throwing away on rent for years either. The mortgage would have been paid off years ago and I could be retired now, at 43.

Yep. I probably would have been able to retire at about 35 if I had bought back in the day. Some of the men at work retired early because they got on the housing ladder before me. Not that I'm bitter lol.:p

RedGoose

1. You don't need that much makeup (or toiletries, hair products etc.).
2. Magazines are just thinly cloaked advertising (and see point 1).
3. Drink less.

dwtmahdc

as if this made it to the MSE Money Tips email haha.

Shame it's not at the top

Pagg

"She's a lesbian".

bigpat

1. You're sixteen and have been smoking for a few months. Stop now, or you''ll smoke for 20 years and go through hell before you finally kick it.

2 Most people are just as mixed up and unsure of themselves as you are. That's OK.

3. In the nineties there will be this thing called "buy to let". Your gut instinct is right. There's serious money to be made if you get in early.