Advice you'd give to your 18 year old self.

Financeabc, you should try not to let your youthful appearance bother you as much as it does.  The girls don't care and nor should you. Be patient, because eventually you will view this issue as a positive.  

Fu*k everything in sight

Take lots of caffeine in spec ops training and in air traffic control school. Get a perfect 4.0 GPA in college. 

Smoke, start saving from day 1. Do not spend on worthless toys. And please, for the love of god, never step foot in Atlantic City.

I'm still young (22), but here is some advice as I reflect on my time college:

Choose a major and career that you'll enjoy 100%.

I made the mistake of choosing to major in computer science back in 2021 when the tech sector was red hot. I thought it would set me up for a good tech job, but then the sector went into recession and I realized that I really hated coded. Fortunately I pivoted and ended up with a great job offer, but I was miserable for four years and won't be using any of what I learned when I graduate. Deep down, everyone knows what they are truly passionate about. Do what you really like and are really good at, and the rest will work out.

Be more proactive about talking to girls.

A simple conversation is enough to start a friendship which could turn into something else later. I didn't do this enough and I feel I have a lot to make up for now, especially with COVID robbing me of my first two college years. And when you do get acquainted with someone, make sure to stay in touch. There were so many girls that I was friendly with, but I just sat around and waited and fumbled it.

Please leave your dorm room.

I spent the first year or so in college sticking with things I was comfortable with. COVID lockdowns made this even worse. It took until my junior year until I finally started going out more, going to restaurants, movie theaters, meeting new people, etc. Definitely be more willing to branch out and try new things.

Focus on improving yourself, becoming more knowledgeable, a better person, more sociable, whatever it is. Progress is incremental and takes time

Bro in 5yrs we'll all be walking around with Apple Vision Pro 3.0s (or just sitting at home) ignoring everyone and living in an augmented reality that might as well be a pre-metaverse (10-20yrs after that is probably the real metaverse)

Society today is already way different than it was 15-20yrs ago, things will change even more radically in the next 15yrs. Who knows if you'll even have a white collar job when you graduate given AI, this stuff kills of entry level positions first before drifting up

I'm your age but have learned a lot through great mentors and personal experience. Thought i'd add my two cents.

1.) Take the risk: As others have said, step out of your comfort zone. Whether this means starting a company, joining a club, asking for her number whatever. Failure is not permanently damaging at our age and is never as bad as it seems. The confidence you will gain from trying/starting new things is a skill that will help you excel in anything you attempt.

2.) Don't let work define your life. A lot of people looking back have said to prioritize your family and make sure to leave time for hobbies. The alternative is being burnt out with no friends in a job where people only care about you for the profit you produce. 

3.) Moderation: Pretty self-explanatory but anything in excess will be bad for you. 

4.) Find a good mentor(s): Having someone guiding you in the industry you want to pursue will both save you a ton of time and effort and increase your likelihood of succeeding exponentially 

5.) Build a foundation: College is arguably the most foundational experience of your life. The person who you are in college will mold your future. You have access to great resources, network, and tons of free time. Use this to your advantage.

Pretty self-explanatory things but I think these lessons are important. Feel free to pm me if you want to chat.

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Lot's of great points, some I agree with on some level some, and with some you can have a particular mindset for a time, and then shift out of it for a time (for instance work life balance, you can go hard for a while and then ease up for a time, and.. chasing girls and trying to hook up with anything lol - at your age hooking up should be relatively easy, manage into your schedule as best you can but.. don't get too lazy I would tell myself (IMHO it makes you lazy, do the pursuing and have some good times and then break out of laziness SOON after and and take action).

And the be on-time one - yes absolutely always as much as you can, you never know which opportunity is going to be more than you expected for and then showing up late might just pull you out of the running.

So, to myself (or any 18 year old for that matter):

Reality is the intersection of:

• potential
• time spent mastering what you're seeking
• and the actual level of your skills / where you stand in the pecking order (hard look in the mirror)
• time decay and the advancement of others while you you're not spending time mastering skills
• and that everyone reaches this realization at one point or another, don't wait around until it hits you

Try and learn and master maybe 1-3 highly leverageable skills (coupled with uni would be ideal - but not entirely necessary, however my personal opinion if you can, there are plenty of ways to find a way to get a 4 year degree even if you believe you cannot afford it - if that may be your circumstance).

Train yourself to take on a heavy work load (if reading for a couple of hrs of non-fiction / instruction makes you tired need to be able to focus on training yourself to take in more information) - this is tied to the ability to maximize your time, which I would say you need to not start focusing on, but focus on working on your ability to maximize time and retain information (don't go too much too soon, but need to get to a place can take on a heavy work load and manage multiple ideas / concepts / projects).

Take care of your body, there are plenty of ways to work out and keep fit, make sure to do SOMETHING for at least 30-40 mins near every day, on days you have more time 90-120 minutes

Most times done is done better than perfect (stole that from another post - quote by the Zuck himself)

Focus on what's working and not what's not / focus on solutions and things which are working and LESS on the problems (if you have a means to generate  income, the problems often you can find a way to solve them using capital - if the capital isn't readily available being creative and resourceful is very helpful as well, there's almost always a way, a thousand ways to skin a cat (old saying etc.))

Making Decisions and what to focus on - Decision matrix -

Friends are fun and... being able to hold a conversation and being witty while you're "on one" (whatever form of altered state of consciousness that may be partaking in - drink or thc) is cool, but don't get so focused that to where it's now a skill one might be seeking to master lol, that's where the "cool" ppl end up as the corpse of the guy / gal who once had great potential and now life is at a slow progression or near-complete halt (not saying that you cannot partake and get a better grasp of it, however flip side is it can, and does, seriously hinder growth and possibly creep in your life, keep that in mind).

In my case I can say (when I was 18), at this age and for the next few years (until around 24-25) you might be faced with somewhat tough questions which will define YOU as a person, and you have to be able to stand on some of your convictions at some points in time, you don't have to speak up for all of them however for some which you do hold close and stand for, make sure they are worth while when those times happen that you have to make sure your VOICE and your OPINION is HEARD - if anyone's feelings might get hurt (may sound harsh what you might have to say), well tough shit, in many circumstances in life you have to be in it to win it, and go for YOU... because at the end of the day you're all you've got.

Learn some kind of martial art - not perfectly, and not super-well, just the basics and slightly beyond the basics and what sets apart the skilled vs the unskilled (takes sometimes 3-6 mos - more or less depending - to get the basic and understand the nuances of what is good and not good technique etc. and then any new concepts going forward you can watch, conceptualize, often pick up relatively quickly).

Life is work my friend, no way around it and being a life-long learner will put you in the best place you can be, and the sooner you get started the sooner you start to see momentum and the sooner you will... work with a sense of excitement and I guess suspense, as you'll be able to see a direct correlation between time spent and results, but it takes a little time and determination to get to that place, but once you do, you will so glad that you did.

On that note, if the prize were easy it'd be worthless, and your philosophy of life will help create your "why" or "whys" (also, if you might be feeling down or feeling like the journey is gonna take long, or why is it so hard... don't fool yourself into thinking that, that one famous person had it easy, all the self mades put in the work in one way or another, I believe the statistic 90% of wealth today is 1st generation, and then ones who got it handed to them have their own set of problems, it's rough all over, the less you can think about your feelings and be grateful and focus on bettering YOU, and how are you going to maximize your time here and transform YOU, the sooner you will strengthen yourself to gain the skills and create the mindset to reach and manage the circumstances you're looking to achieve and place yourself within).  - couple of sayings that come to mind which relate to this point: "a fool and his gold will soon be parted" and "there's a sucker born every minute"

This is somewhat Zen and read in a random book about clairvoyances (at the end book was not worth a read) anyway, I remember these four points and I've found them to be very true- There are Four Energies in Life:

• the energy of life - all life forms want to thrive and survive
• the energy of humanity - all humans want to live well, succeed, progress (nearly all, virtually all of humanity)
• the energy of time - we all have one time on this earth, what are you doing with yours
• energy of your state of mind right now - you have a choice of WHAT YOU WANT TO FEEL, and WHAT YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON, what is your focus in this moment in time right now

Rarely share your TRUE intentions (only with a very trusted source - like a mentor or parent, a close family member maybe).

Big picture wise, your downfall will likely be from someone you trust (like a friend or possibly a family member) or should trust (someone in authority) and also from any information you BELIEVE to be true which in actually is not a truth, and less commonly from some change in the landscape or some new and updated information related to a commonly held truth (not saying it can't, but less likely in the big schema).

Learn to tell stories and somewhat be an "emcee" I like to call it (not the greatest, or even a great one), however when the virtual "mic" and the camera and lights point to you (like in a crowd and it's your turn to speak and you have all the attention and focus is on what you have to say), you have to be able to (got this from an unrelated idea not sure if this is an actual saying) "hold the line" or "hold the attention" in that moment, and be somewhat entertaining (or more entertaining) while you get your point across / say what you need to say (feel the room, know what tone to take and then pass the buck, or just say silent, whatever) but you have to be able to manage that interaction, not be shy, or respond in some monotone voice, speak clearly, develop the right pitch and inflection for your message, and stand with good posture while you deliver your response.

Don't go around being pushy, or impolite to give the impression that you're some kind of "alpha- whatever" or starting shit, but you can't be a punk either (depending, if it's a 10-on-1 scenario then maybe tap into the Story / Emcee skill thing form the line before... no bs, you pick and choose your battles in life, and then on the flip side of pick and choosing battles, in some rare cases you just cannot-NOT take some kind of action (HAVE to take decisive action, HAVE to respond, HAVE to take a stand, HAVE to fight back, HAVE to get in someones face - ties into pride, dignity, respect, self-respect and self-actualization)). 

To add to the above, you don't have to be overly polite, but you can still have a good attitude, say less, and "stay in your lane", again feel the room in near every circumstance, if you want to be Mr. Social, no worries, but if you're pushy and aggressive to make up for something that you're feeling... (I loathe this word nowdays lol), insecure, you gotta make sure you're centered first if you ask me.  On the flip side, if you're at like... a Golds Gym, a Boxing Gym, then... might want to not act so "polite"?... maybe have a slight chip (very slight depending) but not LOOK like a punk etc., and stand firm and act a little like that "alpha" to not bring unwanted attention and scrutiny (high testosterone environments I like to think of them, have to not give impression you don't belong)...  at the end of the day you have to manage accordingly.  (I can add to that, acting like you 'belong' applies near anywhere, so, act accordingly).

Adults (no matter age) are people just like you, only they've gone thru some of the "logic trees" I call them or decision matrices for different decisions throughout their lives sooner than you have (and then, in some cases for some decision matrices believe it or not, not at all), the sooner you start the sooner you have just as much (or more) experience than they do, the sooner intel and wisdom are on par or close to par with the people around you regardless of age.

If you have the wisdom or experience on a topic (or some negotiation) and might get into a disagreement or confrontation with someone who IS older and is not an authority (say your Boss at a work place or an older family member), then I say, you say your piece and let the cards fall where they may proceed accordingly.  What I'm getting at, the older person isn't always correct and don't be afraid to point that out when you're in situation where their "authority" is.. well, non-existent. 

Also I didn't say disrespect or be disrespectful, but if you may be involved in a disagreement (which if they're actually wrong and you point it out, they might end up acting disrespectful, or responding with a slight or two), better to keep your mouth shut and maintain the main points of the topic, keep distance from the person and focus on deal points (by responding you end up losing even if you were "winning" or in the lead before they started directing their insults).  Also - make sure that if you're on the disagreeing side, and you know this person or you or both are in some way in the same social circles, YOU BETTER BE CORRECT or it will spread that you're a dipshit, or a somewhat dipshit - which while it is a part of life, some mistakes take a long time to recover from).

Know the difference of when you might be in a dispute and some consequence is ACTUALLY your fault, or if someone is testing you / trying to pin blame, OR if you're being the bullshit artist (not saying it's right or wrong, but sometimes gotta weasel your way out of some BS), and then where the cards ACTUALLY stand on the subject, and then HOW to react to it. (do you call them out, do you double down and create a new level of BS, do you concede, do you just play along, or maybe shift the blame), have to know for the most part the true score and whether stakes are worth still pursuing and the best way to proceed.

Guard your reputation (48 Laws of Power - Author: Robert Greene - very good read), and know where the worlds are "small" and your reputation will follow (because in these places might have to deal with taking some BS so that your reputation doesn't get tarnished) and in some other places, for anyone trying to jerk you around you can tell 'em to kick rocks (say some rando person coming at you sideways, yeah... nah you can get lost buddy).

As you get older, have the ability to retain more information and come up with better logic trees to make better decisions and watch for bad actors during your journey.  Have fun when you can, live in spurts, the fun can happen in longer gaps, and as you progress you can shorten the gaps for fun as you scale your skills and yourself.

Re the Eisenhower Decision matrix. Really like that. It's amazing how powerful the Remove it box is. There are sooo many things that just don't need to be done and should be removed. I used different terms but essentially the same scheme. We did a monthly review of projects, goals, progress, and potential impact. Some things just never moved forward in any meaningful way. We started thinking about the impact the finished project would have and if it didn't make a material difference in revenue, we canned it. That was so powerful and got us thinking a new way about doing anything. Is it impactful, who's the right person(s) to do it, does it matter if it's even done?  You'll likely find you can eliminate a lot of busy work by just not doing it.

Work really hard without burning out. The earlier you start getting ahead the easier it makes the rest of your life.

Develop your social skills, a lot of life comes down to whether people like you. 

Enjoy the ride

18, hm? I highly doubt that this moron would have listened to anything from anyone but oh well...

In no particular order:

1. You're not a genius and you actually have to work hard to get ahead in life (you're still pretty smart, though)
2. You're also not a psychopath and your "issues" will give you opportunities in life (you're still pretty autistic, though)  
3. Make peace with your old man, you'll need his assistance; ignore his rants, he's a hurt, insecure man, just like you are a hurt, insecure boy
4. Go to Church. Seek silence, pray honestly for a revelation, and the Lord will you the images you desire
5. Being attention-seeking is a good thing if you have something to sell (including yourself), and many people love your passion
6. Your grades matter, your friends matter more; you have to have good ones in both categories
7. There's people out there who genuinely enjoy your company and who are on an intellectual level with you, you just have to find them
8. No, that BPD girl is not the love of your life, and stop orienting yourself on the lower end of female attractiveness, it's simp behaviour; there's amazing women out there, smart, cheeky, beautiful, just keep your standards high and stop being a beta
9. Don't start drinking, stop reading shitty literature, and go to the gym instead of running (you build muscle super fast)
10. Do an internship in summer or learn to code (it's cool)
11. You suck at stock trading, give it up; no, Bridgewater will never hire you
12. Don't do the thing after graduation, this will fail, instead take up a loan or maybe hit up your dad, and go to that fancy private university, it will suck but also accelerate your progress
13. In fact, you will hate finance, but do it a few years anyways, it builds character and you'll meet great people
14. Buy Bitcoin (I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH)

1. Everyone is making it up as they go along, even the smartest people you know. Don’t allow yourself to develop impostor syndrome, it takes a long time to heal from that. Ask me how I know.
2. Curiosity is the most important trait to have early in your career and anyone can have it.
3. Your 20s are for taking big swings and trying stuff. Your 30s are for building. Your 40s are for sustaining. Your 50s and up are for reaping the rewards.
4. Try EVERYTHING in college: Take classes in as many disciplines as you can, Try out as many clubs as possible, Say yes to anything that you have a remote interest in, Develop a personal relationship with professors that you like, Resist the urge to go home as much as possible, Lean into your quirks and find others who share them, Make it your mission to finish college exhausted. There will NEVER be another time in your life where you will have the time to experience so many things at such a discounted price.
5. Be where your feet are. Don’t wish away any part of your life, even the bad parts. You will never regret being fully present in your own life.
6. No one, and I mean NO ONE, cares as much about your life and career as you do. Do not rely on your parents, boss, co-workers, or mentors to get you to where you want to be. They will all be helpful, but only YOU care the most about the outcome.
7. Your experience in life is partly made up of the stories you tell yourself. So, if you are going to tell yourself a story, make it a good one.
8. Nothing is ever as bad or good as it seems, especially in business. I’ve been laid off and I’ve been showered with accolades, both of these happened in the same week at the same company. Do not let your circumstances dictate your happiness.
9. When you change jobs, go toward the new job, not away from the old job. You will be much happier in the long run staying in a job you don’t like than jumping to something to get away.
10. You get one life. Live it on purpose.

I'll be 20 this year and have lived a lot of life for my age so this might be more of a things I would tell my 16 y/o self. 

1. Take a holistic approach to success: This starts at the baseline of keeping your body and mind healthy, getting good sleep, eating right, and not drinking/doing drugs. If you take care of your body and mind you will be able to perform at a higher level in all aspects of your life. To be financially successful you must be physically, mentally, and emotionally successful. 

2. F*ck what people think: I have had so many times in my life where I let opinions or insecurities get in my way. I never wanted to go to the gym in HS because I've always been a kind of skinny lanky guy. In college I just had to stop caring and get in there and start working at it. I've put on 10-15 lbs in the last year! I also let peoples opinions drive my decisions on what kind of content I would share on social media, always wanted to make videos in HS but got made fun of and wanted to fit in so I stopped trying, here I am again after I got it through my head that opinions don't matter making content that does half decently well. Just do your thing and have good people around you. 

3. Be self aware: I had wanted to be in IB since age 15, when I saw what that looked like it scared me. I need to be able to keep my mind and body healthy and I think going into IB would have taken a toll on both especially in my analyst years. I knew I needed something else. I am ridiculously well connected and a strong networker so I met a private banker, now that is what I am going all in on. You need to know where you're strong suits are in all aspects of your life and be able to reflect and effectively criticize yourself. Understand where you lack and you can grow into those areas. 

4. Network: I have built an incredible network over the last 3.5 years just by leaning into a hobby I've always had: cars. I regularly talk to billionaires, CEO's, entrepreneurs, execs, athletes, and a variety of other people just because I chose to pick up a camera at 16 and take pictures of nice cars. I don't even take photos anymore I just get invited out on drives and to events with people like this because I've built a reputation for myself. Just meet people and opportunities will come. 

5. Never lose only learn: Everything has a silver lining. Failing a class isn't the end of the world. Fumbling that really cute girl isn't the end of the world. Failing at something isn't the end of the world. You need to take as much good as you can out of the bad situations and just move on. You cannot change the past but you can work hard and shape your future. Treat every failure as an opportunity to learn and you'll progress faster than you could have ever imagined. 

Couple short thoughts - Try as hard as you can, but know when you've given it your all, and go to bed. 

Second one is my favorite - "There's always another bus."

Making it a goal of hooking up with every attractive girl you came across in college. Girls in the 18-22 age range just want it so bad because they want attention and are at prime of their looks.   

Short thoughts on what I think have been important for me lately (but hopefully will be applicable to you too). I'll keep it short:

1) Pursue the things you want now, don't wait/be dependent on others: This held me back from so much experiences because I was anxious/scared of doing things alone. It's absolutely fine to do things alone and you are likely to meet others along the way. Some things are better enjoyed alone, too. Being comfortable with this is extremely liberating. 

Fuck people who judge you, they either are envious of you (and they should be for being able to do what you want freely) or are hateful losers with nothing better to do (those people you shouldn't care about what they think anyway, right?)

Money was also a concern for me and I was always scared of spending. Unless you're in debt or something or aren't living paycheck to paycheck, spend your money on things you enjoy/for your health/comfort without thinking that much. You are doing it for your mental and physical well-being, that money is nothing when that is in consideration. This could be concerts, travelling, some "luxury" version of an item for yourself that you use frequently.

2) Figure out your passions and take time to build them during college: You will never have as much as free time/energy as you do now. I wasted my time and had no passions due to personal/family reasons. Figure them out now and slowly master them, the time you have when you start working will likely be just enough to retain any of these hobbies/skills you built.

3) Build habits to take care of yourself: Pretty simple stuff - like skincare (use sunscreen!) and hitting the gym. Your body and face will thank you in the long-run.

Create your own insights and opinions about stuff, and don’t just mindlessly follow the herd 

Go to a great college that doesn't have a finance program and study whatever seems interesting. If you want to work in finance, you can still go through the recruiting process, learn modeling and interview prep from guides and get a job in the field

1. Study, study, study. I know you'll regret missing a few parties here and there but trust me, delay the parties in the short run so you can benefit in the long run. I'm sure millions of people (including myself) wish we were just a little more disciplined in the early phases of college. GPA helps. It's not everything, but every little advantage helps.

2. Boost your confidence. I know this advice is cliché but when you get to college, just walk up to people on the 1st day of class and talk to them. Girls, guys, whoever. Get to know them. It'll improve your self image and will also help you when it comes time to interview.

3. Join clubs. Do not under any circumstance stay in your dorm room all the time. Find your passions outside of work/school.

4. Network early. Again, it's not everything, but every little advantage helps. Try to find mentors or people who would be willing to help you.

5. Demonstrate your interest in whatever career you want to take early on in college. If you're interested in finance, for example, try to do research in your spare time. Dedicating literally 10 minutes a day before or after classes will do wonders for you. Keep up with the news in finance, know which companies are doing what, etc.

6. Go to the gym. Even if it's just a couple times a week, do it. Even one workout a week is better than none. This ties into point 2, it'll boost your confidence.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions or want any other advice, I'd be happy to help! :)

Build expertise over time in some area you're interested in

Prioritize relationships. The connections we forge with family and friends are the bedrock of a fulfilling life. They provide support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Thus, it's imperative to invest time and energy in maintaining these bonds, acknowledging their crucial role in our well-being

Another vital piece of wisdom is the pursuit of one's passions. Life is fleeting, making it essential to engage in work and hobbies that bring satisfaction and meaning. However, this pursuit should be balanced with practical considerations to ensure financial stability and independence. Alongside this, the commitment to never stop learning stands paramount. Whether through formal education, personal reading, or exploration, continuous learning fuels growth, keeps us engaged, and opens new horizons

Health, in its most comprehensive sense, cannot be overlooked. A balanced approach to physical fitness, nutritious eating, and mental health care sets the foundation for a life lived to its fullest potential. Moreover, understanding the value of financial planning from an early stage — through saving and wise investment — can secure a future where one is free to make choices without undue constraint

Embracing failure as an integral part of growth is another key insight. Failures are not setbacks but opportunities to learn and become resilient. They are inevitable milestones on the path to success. Equally, finding joy in the present moment, amidst the drive towards future goals, enriches life with depth and meaning. This practice of mindfulness enhances our appreciation of life's fleeting beauty

Contributing to the community or causes close to one's heart enriches the soul. The act of giving, without expectation of return, brings unparalleled satisfaction and a sense of purpose. Additionally, exploring the world through travel not only broadens one's perspective but also fosters empathy and a global mindset

Finally, a deep understanding of oneself — one's values, strengths, and areas for growth — is essential. This self-awareness acts as a guiding light through life's challenges, enabling decisions that align with one's true self

This advice, distilled from six decades of living, underscores the essence of a life well-lived: It is one that balances the pursuit of personal aspirations with the cultivation of deep, meaningful connections, embraces continuous growth, and navigates the inevitable ups and downs with resilience and grace

Buy Nvidia while it's still under $50 and leverage to the max.

On a serious note, be proactive and engage with people consistently – you'll encounter some fascinating people.

I come from a shitty town (similar to Detroit in the US but with less jobs), but even in such places, people have managed to build something for themselves. I wish I had met them earlier. Just take the initiative – it won't work 80% of the time, but when it does, it will change your life drastically.

Not suggesting to only connect with successful individuals; meet everyone and then focus on those who you find the most interesting. The key is to network both upwards and downwards, with the former being more crucial (and at 18 I was at the very bottom).

Also, strive to become HIM, the well-rounded individual who is (appears to be) always prepared.

1. Life with a good college GPA is so much easier. At least you figured it out. Just would’ve been way less stressful if you did it from the start.
   
   
2. It worked out for you. Don’t take a good life for granted, even if your friends are making millions while you’re “only” making hundreds of thousands. Also be happy you have a steady career that will last your entire life! Those who made money fast usually have a tougher time maintaining their lifestyle over 30 years. Many of your friends who “went pro”, or those that starred in that TV show, or sold companies at 22, or closed huge deals and made $1MM at age 25 are worse off than you now 🤷‍♂️ (i.e. don’t own a house, no wife, no kids, no steady stream of income and their best earning years are already behind them at age 30).
   
   
3. Lean into your hobbies. Stick with golf. Learn how to work out properly. Read more. These things compound so much by age 30. Once you’ve attained all of your goals in life it’s your hobbies that keep you motivated and enjoying life.

    This is going to be a controversial post. However, in all honesty, if I were to do it all over again I would not major in Finance as I did in my 20s. Instead, I’d go into the Skilled Trades (Welder, Plumber) or something in STEM at University. 

   Don’t get me wrong, knowing how to use money, make money, and to be responsible with money, at a College level is a fantastic skill.  I use Accounting, Excel, and Macroeconomics knowledge daily in my personal and professional life.  I like my Degree etc. 

   The problem though with a Business Undergraduate Education (that I alluded in my Post “Is a Finance Degree Obsolete Now, AI Realities, and Recent CFA Changes”) is that all business education can be learned really flexibly (in terms of pre-requisites) at any stage of your career or life. The biggest example of this is getting an online MBA after a Tech Undergraduate Degree. Or just taking some Accounting classes by night school online if one is starting up a business in the skilled trades. 

   Doing the reverse of Tech school or Trade school after a business education is just NOT AS FLEXIBLE is all I am saying. You’ll lack pre-requisites, time, energy, stamina etc. The other disappointment I had from a business education is that it gives you everything you need to run a business apart from the actual product or service needed to base a business on (apart from setting up shop as a CPA and doing taxes if you go that route). 

    So yeah, if I was doing it all over again, I’d get the best grades in Math, Physics, and Chemistry, and do something in Tech or Science first that I enjoyed. Don’t worry about the business school. That can always be learned later. Or at the very least if you still want the Accounting/Finance world do it after a lot of research that does not disinclude Science or Skilled Trades. 

     I may sound harsh towards myself and others. However, things are changing with online, COVID-19, and AI etc. Please see my post all in the quotation marks for further details. 
 

I would say don’t worry what others are doing. When I was younger I bought a stupid car  in an attempt to show off to my peers. That car had so many problems and cost me a huge chunk of my very modest $40k/year starting salary. I’d compare myself to peers on LinkedIn, compare lives on social media and always want more. This leads to job hopping, depression and never being satisfied with where you are today. Once you stop comparing yourself you can really be content. 
 

As my salary grew I had some substantial lifestyle creep. Now I drive a cash beater car, own a modest home and shop at the outlets for clothes. No longer rely on credit cards or debt to support a lifestyle we couldn’t afford. We now give where we can to local charities, help support others and stash away a good chunk. Ultimately, after some self reflection around why I needed to always try to show off some external status, I realized that’s what was keeping me from being happier. Once I stopped trying to impress everyone else I have been very content in life. 
 

Also, not letting work get in the way of my faith. With busier hours and constant pressures in an industry where greed and comparison is common, it is easy to lose sight of your beliefs. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more involved in church and spoken more freely about my involvement there in and out of the office.