Thirty pearls from a 30-year-old
Let me show you how to save money and have less stress in
your life through my experiences. I am writing this to encourage you and help
you reach your goals in life. I have made more poor decisions, wrong turns, and
outright bad choices than I care to remember.
I have a long, long way to go before I’m the type of person I want to be. I’m a
cancer survivor, wife, mother, and about to be a small business owner. As I reached thirty years of age I looked
back at all the things I had learned over the years that I wish I had known
when I was 18.
Disclaimer: Many of these things are contrary
to what you have been told and may offend, that is not their intent. These words are meant to encourage those who
may not hear words of encouragement from others. You can achieve ANYTHING you put your mind
to.
1. Getting credit
cards are easy, good credit is not. The
best way to get good credit starting out is to have one credit card from a good
bank and almost pay it off completely each month. Use is like a checking account, not a “free
money” card. Never charge what you
cannot pay at that time.
2. You don’t need 90% off what’s in the cleaning isle of the
super market. Most cleaners you can make
yourself at a very small fraction of the price and are healthier for you. Google: Cleaner DIY Your grandma didn't have Lysol
wipes or swiffer dusters, I promise.
3. Being a good person will get you far. Yes, there are those that will take advantage
of your kindness, but way more people will reward your kindness.
4. Question and listen to responsible people older than
you. If someone is living their life the
way you see yourself at their age, ask them how they got there. They will be happy to tell you and their
advice is invaluable and free.
5. You don’t need sleep aids (i.e. alcohol, nightquil,
marijuana), you need a good book.
Reading is fundamental. Are you in need of a good self-help book? Try the original, the Bible.
6. Patience is a virtue.
“Stupid people,” as you so labeled, aren’t acting that way to irritate
you. They may need guidance, support,
information, or direction. It is your
responsibility to help others and you will benefit from it every single time. The same goes for children and babies.
7. Many churches are
corrupted by bad people and organizations.
If a church promises blessings of wealth or jobs then asks you for donations/tithes,
this is a red flag. Don’t hold this
against God, Jesus didn’t attend or establish churches while He walked this earth. In fact, He was appalled by people making
money at the Temple.
8. Get outside. Being
inside with artificial lighting is depressing to your brain. Fresh air is good for you.
9. Search and go to as many free events held in your city as
you can. There is a lot of free
activities, you meet people, and have fun.
For FREE!
10. Commercials are
as deadly as a plague. TV itself is
pretty bad now, commercials are way worse.
Turn the TV off when you’re not watching it and record just the shows
you want. Think of TV as a drug, try to
keep it off for a week straight, then a month.
If this frightens you, you are addicted.
Been there.
11. Surround yourself
with motivating people that want you to succeed. Not only will this inspire you, it sets you
up for success. Pray for everyone else.
12. Be confident with
who you are, there is only one you. “God
made you special and loves you very much,” truthful words from Veggie Tales. Every single feature and characteristic was
planned carefully before you were born.
You are you for a reason, now go found out why.
13. Patience is a virtue.
Yes, this needs to be repeated.
Situations in your life happen when they are supposed to. Enjoy your present situation, you are
supposed to be there and you can change that to get where you want to be in
time. Don’t rush life, it will happen.
14. You are your
biggest cheerleader. No one will pump
you up more than you. Never tell
yourself you can’t. You can.
15. Words speak life
or death. Before you speak think of the
person you are speaking to and focus on speaking life into them through
words. If you want to deliver the
opposite message reevaluate the core reason of your intent.
16. Reality TV isn’t
real. It is designed to make you think that way of life is either desired and
hard to obtain, or unattainable so don’t even try. The producers make the show appear a specific
way, it is as fictional as cartoons.
These people are not your friends, they don’t know you, they don’t care
what you do with your life, and their shows are aimed to inhibit you from
achieving your goals. Stop watching.
17. You can fix
almost anything that breaks. It costs
too much money to keep replacing items.
Your grandparents fixed things themselves, you can too. There’s a youtube video for everything.
18. Look for the good
in everything and everyone. It’s there
under the surface 99% of the time and you can learn something from everyone. Ask
: why would they say this, how can I use this feedback to help me, is this a
cry for help, how can I apply this information.
19. Your parents are human, they make mistakes. But trust this; the very last person in the
entire world they would ever want to hurt or disappoint is you! Forgive them for their mistakes and learn from
them.
20. The very best
stress relievers are exercise and good sleep.
Everything else is just a distraction from the reality you’ll need to
face sooner than later.
21. Crying is therapeutic.
22. Listen more;
speak less.
23. When in
self-doubt: Pray. Works every time.
24. On a monthly
basis look at all your bills and ask yourself: Can I live without this
one? Obviously you need necessities like
water and electric. Lay out the
nice-to-haves and see if you can find freer alternatives or go a month without
one to alternate another. Also, once you
are out of contract with a provider, call in to discuss cheaper alternatives to
your plan and research competition.
Cable alone can usually save you $25 or more per month.
25. Save your
money! Create a savings account and add
as little as $5/month if that’s what it takes to get you started. If your employer matches your 401k, do it to
the max. Cutting back nice-to-haves now
will benefit you tremendously in the future.
26. The future will
be here one day; stop acting like today is your last with the reckless
behavior. Living life to the fullest
means appreciating everything, not spending every dollar you have at the bar. You’ll want to buy a house with that money
one day.
27. List out your
goals and keep them visible, like on the fridge. If you see where you want to be daily, it
will help keep your mind right throughout the day. Keep your eye on the prize!
28. Tell yourself
daily that you are the perfect package. Look
for a partner that appreciates the beauty in you and that is you. Date with the purpose of marriage by going
into dates with a business mindset. Does
that person have the characteristics that you are looking for as a
husband/wife? If not remember
29. “Buy used and
save the difference,” family saying of the Duggars. Used does not mean bad or broken, it means a
better deal for now to help you afford the expensive things later in life.
30. Your spouse is
your best friend and partner for life.
Marriage is hard, it takes a lot of work on both parties but it is the
most rewarding relationship you will ever have.
These
are my pearls of wisdom to you and I present them as a gift. These words are
honest and I don’t want to offend you, as these are meant to be words of encouragement. I learned most of these lessons the hard way
and I hope to prevent you from making the same mistakes. Making mistakes are a part of life and don’t
ever feel bad about your mistakes.
Forgive others as you are forgiven.
God forgave you for every mistake you have ever made before you even
asked Him to forgive you. Breathe easy
and focus your life on your goals. May
God bless you!
