Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: You're 27 again. What would you do differently?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 45 posts

Re: Ask HN: You're 27 again. What would you do differently?

#23

Post by mikewarot »

So I find myself in 1990... I'd call up my high school crush, and we'd end up married 10 years sooner. Do a lot more programming and electronics, pushing as far as my skills can get me. Do a lot more photography, starting with film, and then get a scanner and go digital once the technology is able to keep up.

I'd make sure my grandpa ended up in jail, instead of getting away with what he did.

I'd do a lot more exercise, and take far better care of myself. I'd push as much money into savings and investments as I could.

If the market works the same way, I'd have a boatload of stock and Bitcoin by now, and I would know who Satoshi really is/was.

If the market doesn't work the same way, no big deal. I know a lot more about how business really works, and how to manage people, so I'll do ok with my career.

I'd try to push things on the internet towards a better outcome. It's before eternal September, so there is hope. I'd try to get emails signed by the sending server. I'd push capability based security, open source software, and make non-ad funded social networks a thing.

Re: Ask HN: You're 27 again. What would you do differently?

#24

Post by VirusNewbie »

Things I did right:

* Tell the girl I had a longtime crush on that I was still into her. (Got rejected, then after a bit we dated, now we are married with a kid).

* Hangouts with friends playing D&D.

* Hangouts with friends sipping whiskey and talking about life and the world.

* Meaningful conversations with people I admired.

* Traveling Europe/Asia with my girlfriend.

Things I would do differently:

* Watch less TV/movies.

* Drink less at bars

* Spend less time arguing with stupid people on the internet

* I should have looked for a well paying job sooner. If i'm not going to love my job, I might as well maximize my returns. I saved a decent amount but I probably could have been making an extra 30k a year 5-10 years earlier. Investing half of that would have meant even more financial security now.

Re: Ask HN: You're 27 again. What would you do differently?

#26

Post by sethammons »

codegeek wrote: post #10

This is very applicable to me. - I would save and invest a lot more than I did. In my case, I would have an additional 500K-700K easily if I just saved when I was 27. I am almost 40 now. This is without compounding. Kids, don't waste all your disposable income. I was making six figures in my mid 20s and had no obligation except some student loans and I blew money like crazy (Bought BMWs etc). I don't regret all of it…

What do you regret about the business? Doing it too late and having too many responsibilities?

Re: Ask HN: You're 27 again. What would you do differently?

#27

Post by MilnerRoute »

Invest in an IRA. You forget about it, but over the years it doubles in value, then doubles and doubles and doubles again. (Some employers even kick in with a hefty company match.)

Even before retirement age you can make penalty-free withdrawals for health emergencies and first-home purchases. (And if your salary is low now, you can pay the taxes now for a Roth IRA, making all the withdrawals tax free.)

Re: Ask HN: You're 27 again. What would you do differently?

#28

Post by failwhaleshark »

- Build more shit.

- Use your fluid intelligence while you have it because it declines with age.

- Be happier & DGAF.

- Don't be in such a rush from point A -> point B. Take time to smell the roses.

- Be the party and bring more life and joy to wherever you go.

- Sleep with more real people.

- Don't spent so much dining-out.

- Read more books.

- Prioritize life to include... life.

- Make closer friends.

- Save more money.

- Ask for more raises, job bounce, etc.

- More side hustles.

Post reply on HN