In fourth grade my teacher set up my classroom as a self-contained society. We each had to fill out a job application for certain classroom jobs (librarian of the book shelf, student store clerk, etc.) and we were each assigned a position. From there, if we did out job properly, we each received a certain amount of classroom bucks that could be used at the classroom store. The catch? Each purchase would be made through writing a fake check. To this day, that is the only reason I know how to write a check. I consider myself lucky for the experience, as on two separate occasions, I have recently had to describe to friends and colleagues how to write a check. It is something so simple, something we never learn in the school system. Recently, this video has been making the rounds on social media, regarding the concept that schools are failing to teach students basic life skills, resulting in #Adulting. Now the purpose of the article is not to bash schools by any means, who often have to work within a strict state curriculum in order to meet certain state testing standards. Instead, the purpose of this article is to look at some of the things that I wish I had learned at a younger age, and am still teaching myself today.
Here is my list of the top 27 things I wish I learned before I was 27 (or at least much earlier!) *On a note, number 28 would be procrastination since this blog was originally started 2 years ago and entitled 25 things I wish I learned before 25:
1.Taxes
My parents have been a godsend in continuing to help me with taxes, but why the heck wasn’t this something that was taught in school? The only things that are inevitable at death and taxes, and yet someone many of us enter the real world with little to no idea what it all means. To get started, check out this article on W-2s, W-4s, W-9s: Oh My.
2.How to negotiate a raise or a starting salary
Now, this may be a bit hypocritical of me but I have never negotiated a raise. This mainly comes from the fact that all of my past jobs have either been fellowships with a set stipend, or companies which made very clear that there was no room for negotiations of my salary. However, I have done quite a bit of research in this regard, and helped prepare friends for their meetings to negotiate their salaries (all of which have been successful, might I add!). As a woman in the workforce, this is a critical skill as I continue in my field, and yet one I entirely learned from internet articles. Here are some great resources to get you started: A Step by Step Guide to Negotiating Your Salary, How to Negotiate Salary: 37 Tips You Need to Know.
3.Work/Life Balance
I am going to let you in on a secret. I am awful at work/life balance. I often burn the candle at both ends until I feel like I am burning out. The best advice I ever received from a supervisor was, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It forced me to take a step back and think seriously about priorities in my life. I started trying to come up with a more regular schedule, I started meditating, I started seeing working out not as a punishment but as a helpful way to work through my anxiety. Not to say that I have it all figured out, though. I definitely still struggle in this category. Check out this great list of the “8 Ted Talks on Work-Life Balance You Need to Watch” from The Confused Millennial. Take some time and make yourself a priority.
4. Car things
If I look at a car, I am just about as much help as this Golden Retriever. To this day, everything I have learned about my car I learned from watching Youtube. Putting windshield wiper fluid in, changing a tail light, jumping my battery, checking my oil level: Youtube taught me all of this. The best advice I can offer anyone is that if you start having any trouble with your car and you don’t want to immediately take it to the dealership, Youtube is your friend.
5.How to open a bottle of wine
Enough said. I have a permanent scare on my thumb from incorrectly opening a bottle of wine. When I was on a trip in Europe during university, one of my classmates cut his hand open and went to the ER from not opening a bottle of wine properly.
6.How to walk in heels
If you have ever seen a baby giraffe trying to take their first steps, that is me in high heels. This was a lot more critical when I was in a sorority and we wore heels for recruitment than currently in my daily life as a community organizer. However, sometimes I like to glam it up with some heels! Though inevitably I end up regretting my life choices 5 minutes later. For those who are challenged with walking in heels. Here are 12 tips.
7. How to conduct an informational interview
We have all been there. You meet someone you admire, the person you want to become one day, and you have no idea how to have a conversation with them. “How do I become you?” is just too awkward. Perhaps it is the CEO of your favorite brand or a company you want to work for but you don’t have an “in” yet. Informational interviews are the way to go. Check out these tips for a non awkward informational interview. Here are 10 Uncommon Job Seeking Tips which can help make the most of any opportunity.
8. Understanding health insurance
I will admit it. I am behind the curve here. I spent hours looking over my coverage options and still managed to end up with a $500 bill for a minimal visit in-network. Understanding health insurance can be like trying to understand a new language. While you definitely will need to do your own research on your insurance, check out this article on How to Take Charge of Your Health Care as an Adult to get started.
9. How a fire extinguisher works
I will admit it. I have never used a fire extinguisher. I feel that I should have learned this skill somewhere along the way, but as for now my plan is “hopefully nothing catches fire.”
10. How to keep my competitive streak under control
I like to win. One time my aunt walked into a room of my cousins and I playing pictionary and said that we needed to stop before someone’s feelings got hurt. We were all in our 20s. Growing up, competitiveness is rewarded. You always want to be the best in your class, the best on your team, the best at your job. So what do you do when it gets out of control? Here are 7 Ways to Control Your Urge When the Competition Gets the Better of You.
11. How to drive a stick shift
At this point, my ability to drive a stick shift is “I could get myself to the hospital or drive someone home who was drunk.” I am okay with that. However, when my old boss tried to take me under her wing and teach me how to drive a stick shift in the middle of downtown Louisville, KY I definitely was out of my element.
12. Positive mental health
Mental Health is stigmatized. Often times it is brushed off as a joke and a stereotype. Learning positive mental health has been the best thing about my 20s. If you are struggling with mental health, talk to your doctor and find a therapist. I have used TalkSpace before and would recommend it to anyone who is unable to visit an in-person therapist on a consistent basis. Speaking to my doctor about anxiety allowed me to get medication and helped put me on a path where I felt in control of my future. To this day, Living With High-Functioning Anxiety from The Mighty is one of the best pieces I have ever read on the topic and allowed me to paint a picture of my abstract thoughts. For anyone who is struggling with Mental Health, Disease, or Disabilities, The Mighty is one of the best sites out there. Their mission is to empower and connect people who are facing health challenges and disabilities. I recommend everyone check them out.
13. Don’t judge yourself on someone else’s timeline
“You’re not living based on anyone else’s timeline, so don’t worry if they don’t understand why it’s taking you so long” - Stefanie Sparks
It’s true. Now that I am in my mid 20s everyone is at a different state in their life. People are getting married, getting engaged, having babies, completing their doctorates. That is amazing for them! However, don’t judge yourself by someone else’s timeline. You are rocking in your own way.
14. Find a gym routine that works for you
Find a routine that you love and gets you motivated.
15. How to cook simple meals which look fancy
In college, making pasta with store bought sauce was about as fancy a meal as I would make. After college I specialized in fancy grilled cheeses. I am talking Dark Chocolate Raspberry and Brie Grilled Cheese, Blackberry Jam Bacon Jalapeno Grilled Cheese, I did it all.
Check out this list of 21 recipes that Seem Fancy AF but are Very Easy.
16. How to fold a fitted sheet
“EH, close enough” - My usual motto when folding a fitted sheet. Apparently Martha Stewart actually has a post with the proper way to fold a fitted sheet. Who knew?!
17. Couponing
Okay, I realize I sound like an old woman here, but couponing is amazing! No one should be above saving money. My absolute favorite thing has been using Honey, a browser extension which automatically searches for coupons and the best deals on the web. I have saved countless dollars from using Honey, and even have received a $30 amazon gift card purely by letting the extension run when I made my purchases. Start saving money with no effort now.
18. How to network like a boss
Did you know the best place to stand at a networking event is near the exit from the bar? I did. I also have learned all about micro expressions and applying them when networking and interviewing. My favorite guide ever has been the book Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards, who breaks down how you can captivate people and built authentic relationships with all kinds of people. If you cannot wait to purchase the book, her website Science of People has tons of free tools to get you started immediately.
19. Investing, what does it all mean!?
Investing in your 20s can pay off in your 60s, so why wait to get started. I am lucky I have had family who were investors, but everything my partner learned he learned from Reddit! The internet can teach you all kinds of things. You can find some tricks to get you started here, but I would also recommend Acorn and Robinhood. Acorn will round up all of your purchases and invest the spare change into stocks, while Robinhood is a good stock trading app for beginners.
20. How to keep a home
As I say on my blog post on using the KonMari Method, “As a society we are constantly inundated with things. I cannot count the amount of hours I have spent on planes reading SkyMall and thinking of how yes, I can totally use that outdoor sun-shaded lounger for my nonexistent dog, or maybe the men in my life really would love a pair of Man Spanx.” While I am by no means perfect in keeping my apartment clean, the KonMari method has allowed me to part with many things in my home so I am only surrounded by the things that bring me joy.
21. Find a scheduling system that works for you
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” I need a scheduling system to stay organized. Between working full-time+, grad school classes, writing my blog, volunteering at multiple nonprofits, and trying to be a present partner, friend, and family member, sometimes I fall short. However, finding a scheduling system that works for me has been amazing. On a large scale, I use Trello as a life-audit system to map out my goals over the next few years, and on a daily level I use an Ink and Volt Planner. No, I am not being sponsored for this post, I just love this planner so much. The opportunity to not only map out my schedule, but yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals has transformed how I approach my week and allowed me to be much more productive.
22. Survival Skills
I feel like I should have learned this one in school. While I received my First Aid and CPR certification when I was younger, I did it as an extracurricular. I only renewed it this year as part of the curriculum for my work. However, I firmly believe that every person should has a basic understanding of these two principles. You never know when you may save a life. If you want to take that a step further, find a CERT program in your community so you not only know First Aid, but fire suppression, light search and rescue, and more.
23. Credits Scores and Credit Cards
If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it is that you need to understand credit cards and your credit score. I have far too many friends that racked up serious credit card debt in college that still follows them in their late 20s. Credit Karma has great tips for understanding your credit score, as well as the ability to view your credit score for free.
2 additional GREAT resources for Credit Scores.
LendEDU put together a guide on how to improve your credit score (and what is a good score!), and BankRate published a piece about how to protect your credit score during a time of economic uncertainty.
25. How to be your own handyman
I still struggle with this one. I will regularly live with something broken if I can get by thinking “How important is it really?” While I greatly admire those people who can #DIY everything, I am usually on the receiving end of a bill from a handyman.
27. No one has it together
Imposter Syndrome is real. Even if you feel like you are the least competent person in the room, no one else has their lives perfectly together. The best we can do is try our best and support each other along the way.