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Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

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Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#131

Post by DamnYuppie »

hdjjhhvvhga wrote: post #89
selcuka wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It still is, but even if it is not it may be in the future. The OP has many years ahead.

As the gap between the inflation and interest rates on saving increases, you lose more and more money in the long run. I'd go for a more general advice, that is trying to diversify your savings maximizing them while avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Please note that for many when they say compounding interest they mean compounded rate of return. This return can be on any asset class not just bonds.

I 1000% agree with you on avoiding unnecessary expenses. Until you get a few million in the bank your greatest wealth building tool is your income so be wise in how you deploy it.

Best advise I have is have a budget, try and save 20% of your GROSS, 10% to retirement the rest non retirement accounts.

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#132

Post by ikr678 »

Aicy wrote: post #127
netizen-936824 wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Definitely start with a trainer. They can enforce good technique and give you the basics of nutrition and mesocycle planning. I personally regret not starting with a trainer, as I'm now fixing issues that I reinforced because I didn't have the proper external feedback.

Implying people need to start with a trainer is pointlessly exclusionary. When I started training I couldn't afford a gym membership so primarily did bodyweight training at home, so a trainer was just completely off the radar as an option. Sure, once I could afford the gym I could train a lot better, and the may have neen true if I could afford a trainer on top, but I couldn't.

'get a trainer' is proxy for 'get a form check', which is fair advice to prevent long term injury.

There are many beginner friendly lifting resources online, and communities who will help you review videos of your lifts without needing a specific trainer.

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#134

Post by forinti »

Take care of your teeth (drop soda) and skin. Exercise too.

Travel as much as you can. Get a job abroad if you can.

Study languages. They compound: french will make your English richer, Spanish will make it easier to get into French, Russian will make you understand some of the other slavic languages, etc. English, Spanish, Russian, and French cover a large portion of the earth. Also, as you get into a language and its culture, your understanding of the world will grow.

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#135

Post by bhu1st »

selcuka wrote: post #36

- Start saving, even for very small amounts. Compound interest can work wonders. - Start seeing a dentist every ~6 months. You won't have any issues for many years, so you may think that it's wasted time/money, but one day things will start going downhill and you will be prepared. Note that many tooth or gum issues cannot be reversed. - As someone else mentioned, don't be afraid to experiment. You will mostly regret…

> many tooth or gum issues cannot be reversed

Beware of what you put into your mouth. Too much chocolate/sugar? To much acid/citrus? Take care. Take things in moderation.

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#136

Post by bhu1st »

stillblue wrote: post #70
pyuser583 wrote: post #39

Exercise! Can’t emphasize this enough! Makes you happier and healthier. Also a harder habit to adapt later in life. Don’t do drugs, gamble, drink, or watch tons of porn. Do read. Books. Not kindles. Books. Be part of a regular community. That could be church, a sports team, chorus, etc. Invest. Put money in an SP500 index fund. Especially if retirement accounts available. Don’t be an asshole. If you need therapy, get…

Why is reading a book functionally different than reading a kindle?

I find it difficult to focus for longer period of time on screen. Eyestrain too. Prefer physical books.

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#137

Post by zuzuleinen »

newscracker wrote: post #31

There are many important things you could do, but they have as much value as a helpful book in a library that you never visit...unless you practice them regularly. Here are some things that may help your quality of life several decades from now. Financial health: * Start saving a large chunk of your income and invest it wisely in assets that will provide value over the long term. Avoid get rich quick schemes. Physica…

Just curios, what's the accumulated damage over decades of caffeine?

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#138

Post by ichydkrsrnae »

You can choose now to live a small, simple life instead of the consumerist nonsense sold you since birth. A simple life that affords you all the time you want can be extraordinarily rewarding.

I wish I would have skipped the entire college career quagmire and jumped right into living simply, healthily, happily, small.

Re: Ask HN: What is something important I should start doing in my 20s?

#139

Post by gaws »

jakelazaroff wrote: post #58

As someone who just entered his 30s, here’s my list of things I’m glad to have done or wish I had done (sooner): Start investing. You don’t have to learn a ton about picking stocks — start by consistently putting money into a robo-advisor like Wealthfront or Betterment. This compounds; a small amount of money invested now will be more impactful than a large amount of money invested later. If your job offers a 401k, c…

> Wealthfront or Betterment

Which do you prefer and why?

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