Things to do before 30

[IdaCat]

This thread has some awful advice. Save? That's your advice to someone saying what should I do in my 20s? Save? Read a book? WTF

You think when your 85 and on your death bed you'll think to yourself "I wish I would have put 2,000 in a Roth IRA when I was 26!"

"I wish I would've gotten around to reading Catcher in the Rye that summer I was 23!"

For gods sake people, give some actual advice. Travel the world, bang a foreign woman, go to concert and do some LSD. It's the decade where youre at your physical peak, finally independent, and not chained with all the stresses that an older man has. Get outta here with save your money and read books.

Who the hell needs to be told how to be irresponsible? It came quite natural for me. I'd done everything on your list before I was 20, except for travelling the world. Did that starting in my 20s and for the most part, my employers paid for it.

I can still do wild *** **** if I want, and I do. It's not like you're physically wasted and unable to do anything after your 20s. Plus you can afford better ****.

With your plan, you'll be SOL over your head in debt by the time you're 30 and those glorious memories of all that stupid **** you just had to do irresponsibly in your 20s will seem more like a nightmare.

 

[Ron Mehico]

You're 100% right IdaCat, what was I thinking. I've completely revised my list.

OP, here are my recommendations to a man in his 20s, to ensure a wonderful and memorable decade:

1) Brush your teeth everyday and Floss at least twice a week: dental work and denture cream can get quite expensive, you'll thank me when you're 70 and can still eat an apple!

2) Save money. Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned!

3) Eat all your fruits and vegetables, they are rich in vitamins and nutrients and you can never be too healthy!


Follow those 3 recommendations and consider your 20s set, you will look back fondly at them forever!!

 

[Tinker Dan]

Agree with Ron. Lots of sex.

Also agree with travel.

Lots of drugs.

Incarceration. Do it before you're 30. You don't wanna be spending time in jail/prison anytime after 30.

In all my travels I would usually

Spend two days going hard in the Red Light District and one day actually seeing the good stuff in the daylight.
Ask your cab diver where they would eat. Mom and Pop places are always the best.
Whenever you send your “little soldier” into battle put a helmet on him. Sometimes you need the Mac Daddy Double Wrap. Condom first then Icy Hot then condon on top of that. If one breaks I guarantee somebody will put a halt to the proceedings before you get through the second one. That rule served me well in Rio.

You will thank me later

 

[UK ALUM10]

Coming from someone who will turn 30 in May....

1) Don't buckle down into any serious relationships. It will seem like the right thing to do since 85% of your friends will be settling down. I dated once in my 20's (23-26). She was a fantastic gal but in the end, I wasn't ready to settle down. Absolutely none of my friends who went this route do anything remotely interesting besides their family vaca to the smokey mountains or the beach.

2) Be smart with your money. As stated a dozen times already, max out your retirement account. I have been contributing 10% for the past 8 years and I am floored at my account balance. Having a 22% ROI in 2017 helped, but nonetheless, take advantage. If you can swing it, throw money in a Roth IRA as well.

3) If you can afford it, travel the world my friend. I have knocked off pretty much the entire U.S. along with Italy, Amsterdam, Germany, Spain, Belize, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. Don't overthink the expenses. Be smart about it and just do it.

4) Stay in shape. Meeting chicks is much easier if you take care of yourself. Make the gym your friend.

5) Buy a house if you plan to settle down in a city long enough. I dropped around 50K in rent over the 9 years I rented. Start building some equity.

Clearly the majority of this depends on income, but just keep it within scale of your means. My first job was 22K out of college. I still had a ton of fun.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Have children. There's nothing that you'll do in life that will ever come close to the miraculous experience of conception and raising a child from infancy to adulthood and everything in between.

Quite literally the one thing you SHOULDN'T do before 30. You have all the time in the world to give your entire 24-day to your kids. Rushing to do it before 30, unless there's medical reasons, makes no sense.

Use your 20s to bolster your finances, travel, work on your career, enjoy freedom, finger b-holes. Because when you have kids, as enjoyable as it may be, you're going to one day wake up, 18-years later, coming out of a fog and into a world that kinda left you behind.. Id rather be 53 when that happens, not 43.

 

[Johnfarrel]

You are too smart to be posting on this board

No, not too smart. I am just an old guy with a good memory. If you live long enough, you are bound to learn something. As the commercial says "we know a thing or two because we have seen a thing or two."

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Don't be so career minded. Kids and family are what make a house a home. There are moments with kids that you can't get back. JMO.

 

[NewEraCATS]

Save money
Travel

 

[thabigbluenation]

@Ron Mehico and @Willy4UK brought the gospel. you are at your physical peak in your twenties. your body can take it. i woud never recommend heroin, but hallucinogens, hell yeah, extacy, lsd, shrooms, try it. with chicks. have sex with as many girls as you can regardless of age, over the legal age of course. get it out of your system and if you can do it in exoctic locations even better. as long as that pecker of yours is straightenin up and lookin up at you, put it to use. you can read all the books you want when your married older and too tired from working all the time to feel like using your dick anymore.

 

[KopiKat]

You’re not living in reality. Your advice works for previous generations. Who is saving and maxing?!?? We’re not talking careers with the same organization for life with pensions and matching plans. You are NOT talking 401k—I get that, but the steady ability to max is NOT there anymore

I was hoping that maybe somebody else would take a stab at responding to this drivel. Oh, well . . .

First off, 2-thousand-teen era victim-speak is not part of my reality, no. And the reason my advice worked for previous generations and not yours is because previous generations were allowed to receive hard messages. Like this one: if you can't save enough money then you have a crappy job. Get a better job.

but god bless and keep this new generation on the mother-loving emotional tit.

If a working man in his mid 20s is not able to save enough money to fill up a Roth then he needs a better job or needs to quit spending. If a man is so far down at the bottom that this is inconceivable then why did he click on a thread titled "things to do before 30" ??

And yes, there is a huge difference, even between just a tiny number of years, holding off on Roths. 5k in a Roth at age 25, for example, legitimately has the opportunity to double 3 times (become 40k) by age 55. It is possible that this 5k investment at 25 years old could be worth 100k at age 65 - 67. Legitimately, sir, maxing out Roths in the 2nd half of your 20s alone can mean the ability to pay cash money for a quality, new home to begin retirement. The Roth's in your 30s and 40s? Delaying just one year can make an enormous difference. People like you screw up people's lives EVERY DAY by looking for ways to minimize / neutralize these empowering opportunities. Just because you've missed out doesn't mean other people should too.

When I was in my early 20s I learned lessons about two things: money and marriage. As applied to the latter, this: only and idiot seeks marital advice from somebody who has been divorced, somebody who has never been married, somebody who just could not quite make that marriage work out. A wise young man seeks marital advice from that old man getting ready to celebrate his 60th or 70th anniversary and says the rest of them are worth F all. As applied to the former, just the same. Get your advice from somebody who has experience making things work. Not somebody who might say something like the reality is that new couples these days just can't be expected to put all that effort into a marriage like generations in the past . . . nice chat

 

[P19978]

Hang out with old people. Whether that is spending a couple of hours a week with your grandmother, volunteering to talk to seniors at a nursing home, helping an elderly neighbor get their groceries... whatever... take the time. When you start you might even see it as a chore but keep going... keep talking... keep being available. You will will learn so much about conversation, empathy, becoming humble, loneliness, regret, taking risks, family, etc... Also, and most importantly, you're giving attention to and meeting the needs of someone that almost certainly has become ignored.

x1000.

I am old enough to have been told the first hand accounts of DDay survivors, tank commanders in Patton's platoon, life in the 20's with no AC, running water, refrigeration, etc.

Older folks have been thru WAAAAY more difficulties than I'll ever experience: listening to them will give you a real sense of appreciation.

Helping these folks out is a great way of giving back.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

I was hoping that maybe somebody else would take a stab at responding to this drivel. Oh, well . . .

First off, 2-thousand-teen era victim-speak is not part of my reality, no. And the reason my advice worked for previous generations and not yours is because previous generations were allowed to receive hard messages. Like this one: if you can't save enough money then you have a crappy job. Get a better job.

but god bless and keep this new generation on the mother-loving emotional tit.

If a working man in his mid 20s is not able to save enough money to fill up a Roth then he needs a better job or needs to quit spending. If a man is so far down at the bottom that this is inconceivable then why did he click on a thread titled "things to do before 30" ??

And yes, there is a huge difference, even between just a tiny number of years, holding off on Roths. 5k in a Roth at age 25, for example, legitimately has the opportunity to double 3 times (become 40k) by age 55. It is possible that this 5k investment at 25 years old could be worth 100k at age 65 - 67. Legitimately, sir, maxing out Roths in the 2nd half of your 20s alone can mean the ability to pay cash money for a quality, new home to begin retirement. The Roth's in your 30s and 40s? Delaying just one year can make an enormous difference. People like you screw up people's lives EVERY DAY by looking for ways to minimize / neutralize these empowering opportunities. Just because you've missed out doesn't mean other people should too.

When I was in my early 20s I learned lessons about two things: money and marriage. As applied to the latter, this: only and idiot seeks marital advice from somebody who has been divorced, somebody who has never been married, somebody who just could not quite make that marriage work out. A wise young man seeks marital advice from that old man getting ready to celebrate his 60th or 70th anniversary and says the rest of them are worth F all. As applied to the former, just the same. Get your advice from somebody who has experience making things work. Not somebody who might say something like the reality is that new couples these days just can't be expected to put all that effort into a marriage like generations in the past . . . nice chat

Douchey windbag. I have a Roth, a home and started saving real $$ at 40. I’m fine.

You make your living off others backs

 

[OldEvilleCat]

life in the 20's with no AC

20's!! I grew up in the 70's & 80's without AC.... Parents finally broke down and got a window unit after we (brother & sister) left for college/moved out.

I still randomly gut punch'em for that...

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

20's!! I grew up in the 70's & 80's without AC.... Parents finally broke down and got a window unit after we (brother & sister) left for college/moved out.

I still randomly gut punch'em for that...

Careful, someone on here will call you a whiner

 

[DSmith21]

Have a 3 way with your wife and one of her hottest female friends as a birthday present. You are probably not going to want to do that in your 40s or 50s. If you have to wait until 40, hire a couple of 20 something pros.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Get money.

F bitches.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Your top 3 fiction books please....

My best three adventure and thriller series are:

1. The Clive Cussler Issac Bell series. Bell is the lead detective for a nation-wide detective agency set in the early 1900's. Lots of action and a little history. First book is "The Chase."
2. The Vince Flynn Mitch Rapp series. Mitch Rapp goes around saving the world from various threats and stacks up bodies like cordwood. The first book is "The American "Assassin."
3. The Lee Child Jack Reacher series. Child is an Englishman who writes about an American x-military policeman who is a loner who travels around the country righting getting into odd situations, righting wrongs and leaving a trail of bad guy bodies. the first book is "The Killing Floor.

 

[OldEvilleCat]

3 things:

• Ask other's for advice (even though they're wrong).
• Don't let other people tell you what to do.
• Don't get married

(Once you get married you'll get be told what to do & get more advice than you'll ever want)

Live life.

 

[coach-2]

Adopt a healthy lifestyle and stick with it. Work out, join amateur sports leagues, eat healthy, don't smoke, don't binge drink, don't let yourself get fat.

I'll turn 59 this year and I'm shocked at the number of folks my age that are obese, or can't cross a room without being out of breath, or can not keep up with me in (or even attempt) any sort of physical activity. Not hiking, kayaking, volleyball, bike riding. Your good health is a precious thing that you will sorely miss once it's gone. Take good care of it.

This^^^

 

[Zakk Wyldcat]

Live YOUR life the way YOU want to live it and the hell with what other people say/advise/etc.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Count all the dried up boogers under your driver side seat

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Kill a drifter. A honky one, preferably

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

1. Save - I wish I saved money and blow it on meaningless crap. Fashion, electronics, customizing my cars, etc. I also always had this mindsight that everything had to be the best. For example, I was really into mountain biking in my early 20’s.....I should’ve just bought a decent bike but I spend $1200 on a top of the line Gary Fisher.

2. Travel - I did a ton of traveling in my days before 30. Now with kids, house, job, pets, etc, we pretty much go to the beach every yr.......with scattered close weekend trips here and there.

3. Wisdom - I really wish I could be as wise about life and such back then like I am now. But I guess the mistakes I made back then made me wiser now.

4. Kids - I agree U9K about the reward of kids but I waited till I was >30.

BR22 pretty much hit the big ones (1 & 2). I am also w/ him on 4, it's ok to wait until >30 (we also did), I just wouldn't go to far after 30 (say 35), you don't want to be at your son's baseball game and hear somebody ask "whose grandpa are you".

Saving - you can't start too soon, unless you want to work for the rest of your life. Start small, and slowly increase it, but start EARLY. For example with a new job, start out by contributing enough to max out the company 401K match (often 4-6%). Then increase that by only 1% each year, until you reach the annual max. If you get some unexpected cash, spend some, but save some too.

Travel - as I've gotten older, I've come to the conclusion that life isn't about what you have, or how much you earn, it's about the memories that you make with the people that matter to you. Now Travel can conflict with Saving, but you don't have to do a 2 week ski trip to the Alps. Travel within your means, but travel. You can start out small by visiting a National Park. Before kids is when you can be more flexible. If you are flexible on when and where you go, you can find some great deals. But kids don't end your ability to travel, we didn't start until our kids were about 10 & 6, but have had some great adventurous vacations since then.
I just realize what I said above, that life is not about how much you earn, it's about the memories that you make, might conflict w/ the Saving. But it really doesn't. Saving early, allows you to Travel more later in life.

 

[UKGrad93]

Go skydiving
Go Rocky Mountain climbing
Go 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
Love deeper
Speak sweeter
And give forgiveness you've been denying

 

[UKserialkiller]

Surprised that killing a prostitute hasn't made the list

 

[420grover]

Only things I can add that haven't already been said, if you know or even think you may have an addictive personality, leave the hard drugs alone and stick with weed. And always start with the hottest chick in the room, go down the list until you score. Occasionally you're gonna hit that smoking hot one with daddy issues.

 

[PhattyJ4UK_rivals309166]

I was hoping that maybe somebody else would take a stab at responding to this drivel. Oh, well . . .

First off, 2-thousand-teen era victim-speak is not part of my reality, no. And the reason my advice worked for previous generations and not yours is because previous generations were allowed to receive hard messages. Like this one: if you can't save enough money then you have a crappy job. Get a better job.

but god bless and keep this new generation on the mother-loving emotional tit.

If a working man in his mid 20s is not able to save enough money to fill up a Roth then he needs a better job or needs to quit spending. If a man is so far down at the bottom that this is inconceivable then why did he click on a thread titled "things to do before 30" ??

And yes, there is a huge difference, even between just a tiny number of years, holding off on Roths. 5k in a Roth at age 25, for example, legitimately has the opportunity to double 3 times (become 40k) by age 55. It is possible that this 5k investment at 25 years old could be worth 100k at age 65 - 67. Legitimately, sir, maxing out Roths in the 2nd half of your 20s alone can mean the ability to pay cash money for a quality, new home to begin retirement. The Roth's in your 30s and 40s? Delaying just one year can make an enormous difference. People like you screw up people's lives EVERY DAY by looking for ways to minimize / neutralize these empowering opportunities. Just because you've missed out doesn't mean other people should too.

When I was in my early 20s I learned lessons about two things: money and marriage. As applied to the latter, this: only and idiot seeks marital advice from somebody who has been divorced, somebody who has never been married, somebody who just could not quite make that marriage work out. A wise young man seeks marital advice from that old man getting ready to celebrate his 60th or 70th anniversary and says the rest of them are worth F all. As applied to the former, just the same. Get your advice from somebody who has experience making things work. Not somebody who might say something like the reality is that new couples these days just can't be expected to put all that effort into a marriage like generations in the past . . . nice chat

Interesting talking about others being emotional.. didn't you call someone's work and tell on them for a post on this board?

Surprised that killing a prostitute hasn't made the list

Meh, could take it or leave it. If you do go this route, go with a non bloody murder. Don't want the hepatitis.

But, definitely patron their services AFTER marriage. Get some strange without your cell phone blowing up from the emotional winch you saw at the local watering hole.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Surprised that killing a prostitute hasn't made the list

Always comes out when running for office