If you could go back and have a chat with yourself

[tonilea]

on your 18th birthday, what advice would you give a teenage you?


I'll start:

1. Take a Dave Ramsey financial class, now!

2. That man you are dating. Ditch him quickly - your future husband is just around the corner. He is your soulmate.

3. That frail looking woman who will become your MIL? Do not be deceived. She is immortal. If you choose to live next door, you will be stuck there for-freaking-ever.

4. Having a child will not be as simple as you expect. Most people just decide to have babies and do. Not you. Be agressive when it comes to treating IF.

I'm sure there are more, but these come to mind quickly. lo.

Doh! Invest in Microsoft!

 

[ajk912]

Finish college now, it's easier to do NOW than at 32.

 

[tonilea]

Finish college now, it's easier to do NOW than at 32.

I thought of that, I am just starting college at 40. But the truth is I don't think I would have done well at 18.

 

[Pakey]

When you get to be 40, make sure you get your annual mammograms. Don't put it off because you are too busy because once you get breast cancer, you are going to take off work a lot more than you would have if you'd just went for that annual appointment.

 

[r3ngels]

Get in shape now... start working out and eating right... it only gets harder with less results as you age.

 

[AJ12345]

*don't use credit cards AT ALL!!! nothing is that important at 18 that you have to have it RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND!

*instead of a big wedding, use that money towards a down payment on a house. LoL I still kick myself over this!!!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Dear 18 year old Katie

1. It is not the end of the world that Joe dumped you. You were together 6 months - snap out of it and stop moping.

2. DO NOT major in what you're thinking of majoring in. Yes, everyone will tell you it's a very impressive degree and yes, it will look fabulous on a resume. But it's not what you want to do and now, 7 years later, you're having to go back to school to get another degree in something you really enjoy.

3. Be nicer to your little sister. She might be acting like a brat but soon you'll find out why and wish you'd been there for her a little more.

4. 50 pairs of shoes is too many. Stop buying.

 

[dare2dream]

1 Get in control of your weight RIGHT NOW!! If you do not it will haunt you and you will obsess about it for your entire life.

2 Do what ever it takes RIGHT NOW to learn to love yourself or you will become a bitter lonely self loathing old woman.

3 Take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Get out of your comfort zone, try something different, or just try something, dare to dream.

4 He may seem like a jerk right now but he's really a good guy. He is your soul mate and your life together will be a rollercoaster ride but it will be a great ride to enjoy together.

I wonder if I would have listened to anything I had to say. Most 18 year olds think they know everything. I don't think I felt that way although my life certainly did not turn out like the vision I had at 18. As I look back I can't complain but I will always have the nagging thought - "what if . . .".

 

[Acklander]

Buy Microsoft

 

[bethbuchall]

Get in shape now... start working out and eating right... it only gets harder with less results as you age.

This is almost exactly what I was going to say.

 

[NCRedding]

!. Your parents are smarter than you think they are, and are only trying to help and support you.
2. Learn to talk to other people as soon as you can. Get over the shyness you have sooner rather than later. After all, if you do what you think you want to, you'll be conversing with a ton of people from all walks of life.
3. Credit cards can be helpful, but can ruin your life.
4. Watch how a man treats his mother and father; it really will give you an idea of the man he will become. Also pay attention to the relationship his parents have with each other.
5. Don't be afraid to be or look stupid; people aren't really looking so closely at you that they will notice your mistakes. Learn to laugh when you screw up, or life will be very long and frustrating.

 

[Guy Incognito]

"It's still 14 years away from you, 18 year old self, but pick these numbers for the $300 million Powerball lotto of Wed, Dec 21, 2002; cause some idiot is going to win it on Saturday if you don't and waste it all."

 

[foolishmortal]

dear foolish mortal.

hey you know that internet thing, i bet you people would love if you made a site that they can type a word in and it will get you to the other websites you may be looking for. and also those same people may want to buy your no longer used stuff, maybe you can get them to bid on it.

 

[momof1princess]

Dear 18 year old ME:

1. DON'T (no matter how good the food looks or taste) eat it! If you do, you'll gain all the weight back and then some, and will eventually need weight loss surgery, because you just can't stick with a conventional diet.
2. Don't drop out of university to go to business college. yes, i know, you've fallen in love with the law and can't afford law school, so being a legal secretary is the next best option, but i promise you, it is a dead end for you. STAY IN SCHOOL!
3. You LOVE planning disney vacations, you just don't know it yet, so if you MUST drop out of university and go to business school, instead of listening to my sage advice, forget about legal secretarial and become a travel agent!
4. when you go into labor, and your doctor insists on doing a c-section, resist the urge to beg him to let you push a little longer-LISTEN TO HIM! he knows what he's doing, and if you listen to him, instead of being so stubborn and wanting to do it yourself, you MIGHT be able to have more than one child!

 

[wdwiala]

Dittoon the credit cards!

Also, buy stock in Apple and Amazon.

Spend more time with my grandparents.

 

[Luvchefmic]

"It's still 14 years away from you, 18 year old self, but pick these numbers for the $300 million Powerball lotto of Wed, Dec 21, 2002; cause some idiot is going to win it on Saturday if you don't and waste it all."

I have been thinking about this my 18 yr old self had no idea of course that she would be a single mom of 2 but her 21st birthday ( even though everybody around her had an opinion about him & how long a marriage at 19 would last) BUT my 55 y/o self wouldn't have done anything to stop that...very proud of my DDs other than that watch that credit rating like a hawk, stay in shape, NEVER start smoking, find a career you love & stay there for a long time.

 

[BlueIrish]

Dear 19 year old self. Do not get a liberal arts degree in media. It will cause you to be 3 years behind on your career goal.

 

[emer95]

Obey your parents!!

Stop ditching your college classes because you are "tired." Stupid, stupid!

You know that trip to Toronto? Don't go!

Do NOT get store credit cards. The interest rate is something like 25%.

Other than that, you're doing a pretty great job, and the guy you're dating is fantastic. He'll make a wonderful dad someday, too.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Dear Meg,

You are going to marry him, and he'll make all of your dreams come true.

I know you are going to college for that, but listen to me... Get your passport NOW! Start working "there" the SECOND you can. Don't wait, don't be scared, it's worth it! In the meantime, don't quit working at the library, you will NEVER work at a
better place... EVER.

Save money every week... Don't wait until you are in your twenties.

Spend your money on what you want on vacation, trust me.

 

[kellyg403]

Dear 18 yo self:

1. You don't know everything, you just think you do.
2. Find something new to learn everyday..its important to constantly learn about yourself and the world around you.
3. You will love your grandchildren so much you will forget about getting older in order to get them.
4. Be kind to your 18 yo body, you will miss that great hair and the body that loses 5 pounds with a snap.
5. That guy your with? DO NOT marry him.
6. And last but not least, love yourself and set boundaries, you will find happiness much easier if you do.

Kelly

ETA: money isn't everything but it sure makes life easier..don't fill your closet with stuff you will wear once with shoes that hurt your feet...save your money for a rainy day or your car breaks down! And last but not least...you are way stronger than you could every imagine, give yourself a break!