5 Things No One Ever Tells You When You’re Growing Up

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Some of life’s lessons are hard. But that’s their nature…learning things the hard way, that is.

Growing up, you learn that by going to college you’ll get a better job, that you should always balance your checkbook, the list goes on and on.

The issue is that parents, teachers, and the role models in your life can’t possibly teach you everything there is to learn. You’ve got to do some of the heavy lifting yourself.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned, hopefully they keep you from making any, err, mistakes in life.

1. Always back up your computer.

External hard drive, zip of the important stuff, it doesn’t matter; just do it.

I can’t tell you how many tips I’ve lost data – or saved it – thanks to my external hard drive. It’s a lifesaver and well worth the few minutes to backup your work.

Here’s the external hard drive I purchased that works like charm!

Tip: Shoot for backing up your computer at least once a month.

2. When your device prompts you to update, do it.

In another technology-related tip, make sure that you always, always update.

When an update is required for your computer, tablet, phone, or tv, there’s a reason.

If you’re like me, you’ll wait a long time, forget, and then never update. By that point, you may find your device starts acting up and no longer working properly.

Tip: Update devices as soon as the notification pops up.

3. Start building credit.

You don’t necessarily need a credit card to build credit, but it’s not a bad option. Snag a credit card as soon as you’re 18 or better yet, get your name on your parents’ CC as young as possible. Either way, pay it off every month and get the perks like extra cash or other incentives.

You can also have a car payment, college loan, or another similar loan to build credit. This will be important for later in life when you’re ready for larger purchases like a home!

Tip: Build good credit early on.

4. Get comfortable networking as young as possible.

Interpersonal skills are amongst the most important – and most unappreciated out there.

Learning to talk to people who you don’t know builds major skills for later in life when you’ll be doing far more of the same.

Consider who you have in your circle now that you could reach out to for contacts. Or, better yet, go out and find networking events that align with your work or interests and meet new people. You never know how networking will help you.

Tip: Step out of your comfort zone regularly and network.

5. Learn how to budget.

You’ll be thankful for a nest egg if you learn how to save.

Start by finding out what your work offers for retirement accounts and contribute as much as you can. If your job doesn’t offer a retirement program, there are plenty of IRAs that you can contribute to that are also tax deductible.

You might also find that investing in certain funds or even the stock market is a great way to make some additional income.

Make sure you also create an emergency cash fund (of at least $1,000) should you need it for everyday occurrences like unexpected work on your car.

Lastly, regularly contribute to your own savings account. Some savings account offer a small amount of interest, but more importantly, this serves as a cushion for your future self.

Tip: Automatically deposit the same amount into your savings account each month.

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What about you? What are some of your learned gems?