I have just turned 22 and looking to see what some of the older members wish they knew when they were 22.
I know a lot of you will say you wish you had an ozbargain around when you were 22!
What You Wish You Knew at 22
spacebanana on 22/09/2015 - 12:20
Comments
you give up things to get other things.
Yeah; fun for responsibility.
Sports results, a la biff tannen
I'm guessing your advice to your younger self will be: if a kid and old man come around asking about the sports almanac, kill them?
my wife just left me and I'm 26! I have a second chance at this now!
Go relive your youth
She's just gone to get some smokes bro.
I'm 22 and married. Sucks to be me hahaha
Wow. That does suck.
I got married at 23, you just have to set the boundaries as in, tell your wife you are still going to spend times doing what you love, seeing your friends etc, the marriages that fail young is when the guy has a tight leesh on then he starts resenting his wife
22, 23 marriage I feel so old!!
How did you get married so young? If you did a 3 year degree, you would have been in the work force for only 3 years. Surely budgeting would have been an issue?
Yeh I had finished uni and when I got married luckily I had a stable job, we lived with my parents for about a year after that then moved into a rental property. My wife was an international student who just finished her studies and she could only work 10 hours a week, to stay together she would of had to continue studying which would cost upwards of $16,000 a year cash upfront or we could get married and apply for a partnership visa. The other option would be her going back to her own country but everyone knows long distance relationships don't work especially if they are in another country, so we got married as that was the right decision financially and emotionally to stay together. She is now working full time and we are finally on our way to setting up a good life.
I was at Uni at 17, did a 3 year degree over 4 years while working full time, and had enough in the bank to buy half a house when I got married. Of course, that lasted 10 years I was divorced and had to buy the house again to pay her out…
I joined the Army just after I finished school so I'd had a pretty decent income for a long time with great benefits (cheap rent being the most beneficial I'd say). She's been a full time dental assistant for years which doesn't even require a certificate but the pay still isn't that bad and has just gone up since she's done her Cert III & IV.
I like to think we're very moneywise people, when I finished my training and got to go home for a couple of weeks over Christmas I went out on boxing day and bought everything for our future house that I didn't already own and walked away from that only spending a few thousand to be fully furnished.
Also, we had a lot of help with the wedding.
Scored a sick deal on an engagement ring due to a pricing error ($2,000 for a $5,000 ring)
My sister in law does cake decoration so she did the cake
Her sister is a photographer so she did the photos cheap
My wife hand made all the decorations with mostly stuff bought incredibly cheap off ebay
My family all helped out with catering
We hunted down some cheap cutlery, plates, etc. mostly from Ikea if I remember correctly and then resold it afterwards
We had the reception in a community centre so we could supply the alcohol ourselves which saved having a bar tab
We had a Defence Force chaplain do the ceremony and just requested that we make a donation to any charity for it so we did. My wife saw a wedding dress she liked on ebay for $150 and then found a local store who was selling the same dress for $3,500 so she went in, tried it on, liked it so she bought off ebay and then took it to a seamstress and got it altered to fit her perfectly which brought it to just under $500.
We went to Thailand for our honeymoon so that was a great cheap destination.In the end the wedding with 70 guests only cost us $4,000 with all the rings and honeymoon costing another $6,000.
With the money we saved there we've managed to buy our first house and looking at our second as soon as I get home from where I am at the moment.
OMG.
My father was literally TWICE your age when he got married.
a lot of people still have fun while married.
double income no kid…things really change when you have kids.
This is pretty good advice for 22yro.
Just remember that a couple of years of it is good, a decade or two sets you on the back foot in achieving other life goals.This is pretty good advice for 22yro.
Did you reply to Camoqs or Cheap charlie? Both comments have been unpublished and I hate to miss out on a good advice. So what was it?
The suggestion was to sow your wild oats, but a bit more coarsely.
I wish I knew Santa didn't exist. I have been such a good boy over the years.
Wait. What?
Im going to take a leaf out of Cheap Charlies book then.
What You Wish You Knew at 22
That OzBargain existed….
My 22yo self probably wouldn't have listened to much advice. I thought I was smarter than others and didn't need to change or improve or know much more. I didn't even have much concept of self development.
Anyway I wish I would've been more proactive socially and not worried about things I can't control (e.g. political issues).
If you are 22 and already have a good education via uni etc. then I would focus on fun times to be honest. If nothing takes your interest travel wise would jump head first into the profession you want be in, particularly if you want to do something in start ups or entrepreneurial OR creative, do it now while you are young and qualify for all those "young people under 30 things" that seem to be everywhere (if you look). You can always go back to traditional careers in 5 years time if things don't work out, but at least you'll KNOW what you like.
I also wish I had convinced my 22 year old self to buy property but when 1 bedroom apartments could be had in Melbourne (Richmond I was looking) for 120k. Just didn't have quite enough money nor the cash flow to safely pay for it. Now I wish I had just jumped in and made it a priority!
If you're entrepreneurial minded, get in on those things NOW. I started that path this year at 26 and @serpserpserp is right, the door closes at 30 for all the huge grants out there.
Can I ask what these grants are? I'm interested in making something for the education sector. Any grants I might qualify for?
There's a heap out there. Look up Startup Victoria, Lean Startup Australia, General Assembly, a few others. The gf and I started a business and won $1000 for a 2 min pitch at General Assembly. Helped launch our business and it's doing quite nicely now. They're out there :)
This is a nice topic to discuss. I always wanted to get advice from elders regarding how to be a good couple, property market etc. With regards to property, If I put money in Property 10 years ago back in India, I would have made 6 or 7 times more … Anyway, that's life, you don't win all the time.
Do things right the first time, don't muck around at uni
Nothing wrong with McD's. The systems and customer focus you learn in their management courses where highly prized by my company, who paid sales reps six figure salaries.
Absolutely agree! If you want to have fun, have fun. Don't piss-fart around in Uni.
or.. if your doing uni, tackle it hard and fast and have it over and done with in 2 years. dont spent 4-8 years doing a degree and having minimal money.
i'm 24 turning 25 in december. biggest regret has been not investing my money into stocks like SIR that have gone from 0.3c to $5, and not studying computer science. also, focusing on getting a girlfriend is a waste of time. girls don't make you happy, you make you happy.
what 'load' are you referring to? i'm thinking of something R-rated
Probably emotional loads.
He's referring to grocery loads. Grocery shopping isn't something everyone enjoys doing so it helps to share the load.
True Cheap Charlie, gaming load times are an issue these days…
cheaper to rent one than look for one dating
jesus christ
mate - you should be happy that you learnt that lesson at 25… some people just don't it :)
don't get me wrong. i was in a relationship for two years and i had the time of my life with her, but the romanticism of finding that special someone is over hyped by hollywood and the fantasies of a lot of lonely and wounded people.
@Cheap Charlie: nah, we just grew apart because of personal things. i think there's a time and place for everything.
I don't treat Hollywood as fact, nor am I lonely or wounded - but I can tell you, I've found that special someone, and I don't know what I'd do without her. I think you might have been doing it wrong.
You are still young enough to go and do a CS degree. Ask yourself, do you want to be a CS graduate at 28? Or just the guy who isn't one at 28?
I guess I could but the fear of starting again and racking up more HECS debt is keeping me at bay.
Find a job who will support your studies, I am starting a degree soon and I'm 33.
I used to be scared of HECS debts until I realized that they get paid down so quickly in the scheme of things. Once you start earning up near 100k or over it gets paid down so quick. started doing my first double degree at 24 so you shouldn't be scared. I also started doing a Masters just recently at my expense and I seem to be paying off the debt at about the rate of 2 years to 1 year studies.
So just do it! Education can never be taken away from you!
Do it part time whilst working, so the opportunity cost isn't too high.
Already finished my double degree. I am old.
EDIT: Although I must say, it isn't impossible to do an undergrad and a masters at the same time if you do it at two different institutions. Even easier if you have plenty of cash at your disposal. EDIT: And have relevant work experience.
@serpserpserp: Great story! I am sure many will be encouraged to start a degree, because people think once you're 21+ too old to start a degree.
I knew many people like this growing up and it shocked me. I had a tough childhood so I had to earn everything I had. Going to Uni was such a privilege in my mind and I saw so many people just take it as a given and really squandered their experience at 18. I made it my goal when I was around 20 that I was going to do a university degree and I ended up achieving that and more. It was one of the greatest feelings of my life receiving that piece of paper because it took a lot to earn it.
Never feel like you are too old. I personally know people who were in their late 20s and threw their careers in to go back to uni to become doctors, and they were successful at that. They had hard lives when they were younger too and to see them do that gives me great pride in them. Anything is possible, just start doing it and make it your focus and don't let other people talk you out of it or make you feel stupid for trying to achieve.
CounterStrike… Degree?! Terrorists WIN!
if you love someone just marry her/him. at least you know you still in love when you do it
can you elaborate on your comment on computer science? I wanted to do this but im in a bachelor of information technology with a major as a business analyst. Im not sure if there is a huge difference in terms of opportunities
I haven't done either degree, but I know when it comes to IT the project work you do outside of class lands you a job/puts you in a good position. Computer science + Finance/Accounting would be the best combo, in terms of job opportunities.
I fairly sure CS graduates can do BA roles also.
hmm
Comp Sci is generally a bit heavier in required mathematics and programming subjects that have to be completed for the degree. While I.T bachelors are usually a bit more flexible and you can avoid the math and programming subjects that are present in Comp Sci. But horses for courses, I'd choose the I.T one if it was me for the flexibility. But guys that have done Comp Sci know what is involved and kinda know a little bit more of what they are getting for a Comp Sci grad.
I started in IT and transferred into Computer Science. I'm now a software engineer. The IT course was a little more flexible and the CS degree has more mathematical and theoretical core classes - such as AI and Database systems as compared to IT. I wouldn't say one was more programmer than the other because it depended on the classes you elected - however in short I guess you could say that. In regards to someone's comment earlier, "I fairly sure CS graduates can do BA roles also."- Ive got no idea about anything business apart from high school business management skills lol. I don't think a major in Business/Analyst would have helped me in the job I currently do. I majored in Applications Programming. Someone at my work place chose the IT (major Apps Programming) and still works with me. However, most of us are Comp Sci or Soft Eng or Mechatronics. Also don't expect 100k salaries like some people say - At the 3 year mark expect anywhere from ($75k-$87k including super).
Why live in the past? This thread isn't about regretting the past, but looking forward. Point is - find the next SIR and stop complaining to everyone about what could have been. I've hedged my bets on the next big one. Good luck either way.
Are there any stocks you're going to regret not buying in 2 years?
not sure
Anyway, camoqs, here's stuff you should definitely install into your 'mentality' at 22:
- Things like cars, clothes and gadgets don't make you happy. In fact, they'll end up owning you sometime down the road. I'm sure you have friends who have nice cars and pretty girlfriends who seem happy but don't ever fall into the trap that you will be the same as them if you had those things.
- Learn how to manage your money, because eventually you're gonna be your own 'money getter' and it's important that you understand budgeting, investing and saving for rainy days
- Learn how to cook because this is going to teach you how to look after yourself and also understand responsibility.
- Don't always listen to people's advice, even if they seem to know more than you. It's also sometimes important to live by your gut, especially if you think if something isn't right for you
- Be nice to everyone, we all die anyway.
- Meditation is super beneficial if you're someone with high stress levels or just trying to improve concentration abilities.
Pretty much what i would've said, except replace meditation with lifting/exercise/sports/running
then we all die anyway. lol
Critical thinking.
For me, I wish I had reached out for help sooner. And known it's okay not to be perfect. And that even though there will always be others 'worse' off than me, it doesn't mean I should disallow myself the ability to 'feel' anything.
May have saved a few years of treatment + therapy. :)
For me, I wish I "got off the nipple" earlier.
It got to the point were neither wanted to break the deal, due to potential for trouble/offence.
Too much "help" that wasn't wanted/needed, but given/taken anyway.
Spend some time to think about your goals.
Write them down.
Make sure they include some really big ones, and some achievable ones.
I did the first bit, and set myself goals that looked pretty good to a kid from the suburbs, but achieved them all by the time I was 29.
If I had spent a bit more time thinking further ahead, I would have lined up a few things differently.
Read a book like "lean in" by Sheryl Sandberg.
no dont do that.
why not?
why? its just a book about leadership and work from a women's perspective for women.
@eklipze: "just a book"? What's wrong with a book about leadership and work from a woman's perspective?
I think it perhaps needs to be highlighted. I think she has made some interesting observations about how women don't seem to be as ambitious as men, but when they are, she is perceived as bossy (negative), ambitious (b*tchy) … etc, so women tend to hold themselves back. Men do come across more confident in general, and women are usually less assertive. Women need to realise that they shouldn't under-estimate their abilities and also not let other people underestimate them too.
@bluedufflecoat: yeah but your point would be more relevant in the context of a discussion around gender roles in the work place or a relationship. has very little to do with what you should've learnt at 22. OP didn't ask how they can better understand the irony behind genders in today's day and age.
@eklipze: I should have learnt at 22, not to be afraid of singing my own praises sometimes, taking the initiative to lead, because as a female, it seems to be an internal thing, where women "step back" and wait for the men to lead. I don't need to "learn more" about my role, before jumping at the next opportunity, which seems to be what most guys do, more often than women.
Have a nice day. :)
@rogr: stop assuming all Ozbargainers are men, bluedufflecoat's advice is fantastic for young women in the workforce reading this, and is perfectly relevant when OP is asking what YOU wished YOU knew at 22… all the downvotes really are a shame
I should probably mention that I'm a 20 year old male, just to avoid downvotes by people thinking I'm being b*tchy and bossy
While OP didn't ask for that specifically, there may be other early 20-somethings who may be following this particular thread. This could be a valuable advice for a woman starting off in the workforce.
But Joe said we should be an earner, not a leaner.
Capitalism sucks.
dont worry about the future
no body ever lies on their death bed wishing they had worked moreHappy wife, happy life. This will help with your first few years of marriage.
Frankly I prefer "happy me, happy life". If you have to tiptoe around constantly maintaining the better half's level of satisfaction I'd say you're in a bad place.
I'd say that is a very self centred attitude. Perfert for a person who does not care if they end up single - cause they only care about "happy me". Marriage is a partnership and if you want that partnership to last then you need to be flexible and considerate of your partner's wants and needs.
That can be summaried to "happy wife, happy life".Hmmm,yes perhaps I'm a little self centered in some ways (not in others). Being with a partner would be the ideal situation but if I end up single I can still live a good life.
The phrase "Happy wife, happy life" should not exist. It should be "Happy US" if anything. Like I said, tiptoeing around your partner is not a good place to be. Did she not get a good deal by marrying you? Are your wants, needs, interests, mental wellbeing not important too?
Been there, done that.
@gtrdude: If you think "happy wife, happy life" means tip-toeing around your partner then you do not understand the phrase. It is about consideration for your partner's wants and needs. Its a reminder for men that in a relationship it is about give and take - something that some young people don't understand, because they have not had to behave that way during childhood. Childhood is about taking from the parent.
So my advice for a 22 year old is to remember the phrase "happy wife, happy life".
It would appear from your comment's that you have never been there, or done that.@RustyStainless: I'm going to have to politely disagree. Why do men in particular need a special reminder? Are they not giving enough already? From what I can see young people of both sexes are more self centered and have a sense of entitlement. It's part of growing up and having everything done for you. All the more reason to be careful when choosing.
Don't get me wrong I'm not saying not to be conscious of your partners needs. But it's supposed to work both ways. As I said before the phrase should not exist. Have you ever heard of "happy husband, happy life?". Ofcourse not. Society expects men to suck it up and get on with it whether they're happy or not.
I put myself first now because I know what happens when you don't. I have a right to be happy too. Single or not.
Have you ever heard of "happy husband, happy life?". Ofcourse not. Society expects men to suck it up and get on with it whether they're happy or not.
No, I've never heard of "happy husband, happy life" but that's probably because it doesn't rhyme. Society expects rhyming and 3 word slogans, rhyming preferable (just ask former PM Tones).
How about "Happy husband, Happy life predetermined/destined"?
Or "Happy hubby, happy lubby (love)"?Hmm, scratch that. With a word like husband that is so hard to rhyme, men are screwed.
@gtrdude: You just don't get it do you? It's a "man to man" saying. As DeafMutePretender points out - it rhymes. Women DO discuss the "secrets of a happy marriage" - and guess what they say - its about give and take. Just ask an older female what advice they give to younger women about marriage.
Hey, now here's a good piece of advice for a 22 year old Ozbargainer: make sure you ready for a good argument if you re going to dis on someone else's comment.
Notice I have not dissed on your long-winded comment below. That's not because I agree with it. Its because I have learned over the years that it is ok to let people have a say without jumping down their throat with my opinion.
I'm 26 now, if I was 22 I would've travelled more with friends and just been more of a young adult, once you get married a lot changes. .