Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-15-2019, 11:31 AM   #41
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,342
I ended up dropping out of college at age 19 and doing 20 years of hard labor for low wages so I would say to do whatever is needed to get a degree. Get a tudor. Take 12 credits per semester and take 5 years to get the degree if needed. Take on more debt so I don't have to work much so I can focus on school. The extra debt would be no problem to pay off with the much better job I would get with a degree.
aaronc879 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 09-15-2019, 12:33 PM   #42
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
Stop bogarting that joint!
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire

...not doing anything of true substance...
HFWR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 01:03 PM   #43
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
jollystomper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,135
I do not know if I would say anything to my 18 year old self, as my 18 year old self would not listen.
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
jollystomper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 01:31 PM   #44
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Berkeley, Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 1,406
I would say: don't double post
What would you say to an 18 year old you? - Retirement -Social Security, age, moving, relocation, finance, savings, early, hobbies, nursing homes - City-Data Forum
davebarnes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 03:59 PM   #45
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Western NC
Posts: 4,610
Switch majors to the one you really want (STEM) instead of trying to please another & so you can get Uncle Sam to pay for undergrad (my school was weird...only one major, no minors)

And take the MCATs like you wanted...same guy could have paid for that as well.
ncbill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 04:09 PM   #46
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,577
I'd say "Want to see my Time Machine?"
homestead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 04:11 PM   #47
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
NYEXPAT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miraflores,Peru
Posts: 1,992
Hey Dad, I figured out a way to get into USC without good grades!
NYEXPAT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 04:46 PM   #48
Moderator
Walt34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,302
I dunno that I'd do a whole lot different. If I had, I wouldn't be who I am. For example, I could say to my younger self "Don't marry the first one who says 'yes'." But if I hadn't married wrong the first time, I wouldn't appreciate DW as much as I do.

Other examples abound, I did a lot of learning at the School Of Hard Knocks.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
Walt34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 04:54 PM   #49
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Calico's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,911
Have more fun along the way. Take some risks.

When the college boyfriend asks you to visit him in Germany, go. He will go back to his country of origin, and you will never see him again, but you could have more memories to cherish.
__________________
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus
Calico is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 05:17 PM   #50
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Jose
Posts: 59
better enjoy that decade of just scraping by and living the life of an artist, because after that it's nose to the grindstone for the next decade, and then comes the family.....
krldrummerboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 06:39 PM   #51
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Orlando
Posts: 2,638
Even as late as the 1990's, your career will be negatively affected by sex discrimination in a Fortune 50 company. Carefully document what is happening and sue the bastards!
Buckeye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 07:33 PM   #52
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ls99's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 6,499
I'd say to my 18yo self: boy you sure screwed up, did not choose your parents well. Now get on and deal with it.
__________________
There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.
ls99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 06:26 AM   #53
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
Set a high aspiration level and never underestimate your abilities or what you can achieve. Treat others the way you would want to be treated and don't sweat the small stuff.
eytonxav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 10:10 AM   #54
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,156
I would say, "move to a better climate area (than Northern Ohio), and take some chances with investing, start up your own business, and stay away from the dope, and the dopes (dopehead friends).

No reason for a college degree if you make your own way !
ckelly78z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 10:30 AM   #55
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Austin
Posts: 1,382
Keep doing what you're doing - stay in college, get your degree. But maybe think more about possibly going grad school. Oh, and that girl you're going to meet late in your junior year? You guys really don't need to take a job in the same city after graduation and certainly not in the same company.
big-papa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 11:53 AM   #56
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,789
Quote:
Originally Posted by upupandaway View Post
Dear 18 year old me,

you know you are not mature or responsible enough to handle a 4 year university right now. Go to junior college for a few years and get yourself together.

My dearest Grandparents offered me a full ride to college and with pressure from my parents I was convinced it's what I had to do. I wasted 2 years of their funds with failing grades and late nights before I left hanging my head. It wasn't until I spent a few years on a forklift that I decided that wasn't the life I wanted. I put myself through college the second time and graduated with a 3.85. I never missed a day or an assignment once the money and responsibility was on me. Everyone is different and has their own story to tell but I wasted a tremendous opportunity because I didn't have the courage to admit I wasn't ready.
Personally, I think your grandparents STILL did you a great favor, as you learned a lot along the way of screwing up. IMO, they would be proud.
brucethebroker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 11:54 AM   #57
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,789
I would tell my self that "nothing is ever as bad, nor as good as it seems. Plan accordingly."
brucethebroker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 01:54 PM   #58
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 63
If I had kept a detailed journal, I would say, "here, read my/your journal and avoid all the stupid mistakes I/you wrote about there." Since I didn't keep a detailed journal, I would say, "Keep a detailed journal."
whitet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 02:29 PM   #59
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
skipro33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Placerville
Posts: 1,788
Buy gold at $35 an ounce.
Invest in Apple and Amazon.

Keep the 65 mustang. (yes, at 16 my dad had one and gave it to me at high school graduation)
Stop at 2 kids.


Seriously though, I can think of nothing I'd really advise myself on as it all worked out better than I thought it ever could. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd marry my high school sweet heart, land my dream job after military service, have 2 sons who I am in awe of for their life choices, own the beautiful home we have or be financially independent by age 50.

I've lived a very blessed life.
skipro33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 02:49 PM   #60
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,510
Don't stress out about being single. It has lots of positives.
__________________
FIRED:
July 12, 2018. On safari to stay!
Pellice is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
24 year old feeling like a 44 year old wanting a 64 year old portfolio Stripes Hi, I am... 9 08-30-2018 05:28 PM
39 year old doing retirement analysis for 70 year old parents grayparrot Hi, I am... 21 01-07-2012 10:14 PM
10-Year Old Releases Demon of 55-Year Old Opera Singer calmloki Other topics 9 08-12-2010 11:09 AM
Would you say something? DangerMouse Other topics 17 09-01-2008 09:13 PM
44 year old woman takes advantage of 13 year old boy Dawg52 Other topics 37 05-24-2006 11:15 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:28 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.