The day was of June 5 2001. I finally graduated high school! I was nineteen years old and ready to face the world. The problem was, I didn’t know where to go.
I was lost and confused just like the rest of the herd. So what did I do? I followed the herd like a sheep. I knew that an NBA career was not in the pipes for me–heck I couldn’t even make the JV team! Nor was a career Acting career in the Philippines.
Just like every high school graduate getting ready to face the real world, information was plenty but none of them really made any sense. Here are my top 5 things I would tell my nineteen year old self.
Join the Air Force
If I would have joined the military at nineteen years old, in three years, I can retire. I kick myself for not doing it sooner. Let that sink in for a moment. Thirty-
nine years old, retired, with a lifelong full pension. Sounds pretty awesome to me.
Find a High Paying Job
Not interested in the military? There’s a high paying job waiting for you! Power Plant Operator 71k, Physicians Assistant 62k, Petroleum Engineer 93k. Those are average starting salaries! Stick with it for a few years and you have 100k potential earnings.
Get Educated
Find a high paying job, read number two on the list again, and get that degree so you can make that money pronto. Do not go to school without a plan on what you want to do. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars.
Invest Early
If I put my money on investment funds in 2001 the compound interest from my little nest egg would be huge. Don’t
waste time buying video games or buying expensive cars! You will have all the time in the world to do that once you have cash flow flowing.
Don’t Get Into Debt
Credit cards, cash advance, pyramids, job scams. I fell for everything! Don’t be that gal or guy! If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
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