Where to next for Mid 20’s? All the Freedom but No Idea.

[Kiwi Mustache]

I’ve recently ended a relationship from my long term partner of six years. I’ve temporarily moved back into my parents place until I sort my life out a bit. She has decided along with her parents to buy our my share of the house we owned together, so I’m now debt free and have 70k NZD sitting in my bank account.

I see the brighter side of the situation that I’m debt free, got a bit of money to do something with, I’m not tied to any one city, person or responsibilities and can really now do whatever I want. Career, investments and building up a financial base are still very important to me.

I’ve got no desire to do a working holiday/OE for several years like many people my age have done. I’m content to stay in my country of New Zealand.

However, not really sure what to do. I’ve got all the freedom in the world but don’t know what to do with it.

Thoughts?

[Valhalla]

Do you have a good career already? A college degree?

If not, then follow these steps: 1. get a good degree in a field that will pay well and also interest you. 2. get a good job in this field. 3. learn how to manage money as you do this.

Good luck.

[arebelspy]

Next steps depend on long term goals and plans.

That will obviously be shaken up based on what you just went through, so I'd suggest spending some time thinking about what you want, where you want your life to go, etc.

Then you can figure out what direction to take to get there.

Choosing an activity without a purpose or direction is just spinning in circles.

[caliq]

Did you have to leave your job to move back home?  Or are you still working at the same place?  If you are at the same job, are you fulfilled there, or is it time to make a change in that arena too? 

Personally, I would spend some time thinking about what your ideal day-to-day life looks like, and then some time researching what cities fit that lifestyle and offer good career opportunities for you.  Then go and visit the cities you think might be a good fit (preferably on expenses-paid interview trips!) and see if your hunches were right. 

[Kiwi Mustache]

Do you have a good career already? A college degree?

If not, then follow these steps: 1. get a good degree in a field that will pay well and also interest you. 2. get a good job in this field. 3. learn how to manage money as you do this.

Good luck.

Yes logistics career with bachelor degree. Got a rough idea on where I see my career progressing through transport and distribution centre type roles.

I've got a handle on all 3 steps above.

[Valhalla]

Yes logistics career with bachelor degree. Got a rough idea on where I see my career progressing through transport and distribution centre type roles.

I've got a handle on all 3 steps above.

Excellent mate.  The next steps really are going to be up to you then, with regards to making a life for yourself.  Best of luck.

[Kiwi Mustache]

Did you have to leave your job to move back home?  Or are you still working at the same place?  If you are at the same job, are you fulfilled there, or is it time to make a change in that arena too? 

Personally, I would spend some time thinking about what your ideal day-to-day life looks like, and then some time researching what cities fit that lifestyle and offer good career opportunities for you.  Then go and visit the cities you think might be a good fit (preferably on expenses-paid interview trips!) and see if your hunches were right.

Company, job and career I'm fairly happy with how it is progressing. I'm not hanging out to quit or anything.

I ride my bike to work, so enjoy that aspect of it too. However, I'm in New Zealand's largest city. I spent my university days in a town 10x as small population wise and enjoyed being close to the outdoors and not so much people around.

Not really sure what to do with my savings though. Don't really want to buy a new house and be locked into living there. I like the flexibility of not being tied into living in one suburb for the next so many years.

[Runningtuff]

I agree that some brainstorming around what a good everyday life looks like for you is a good first step. You could do something like move further west or south if the outdoors lifestyle element is very important, or make the most of adventures on the weekends/evenings (I know a lot of people who do this - you can get to some pretty cool places in 2 - 4 hours or do kayaking, hills etc close to home).

Not an expert investment-wise for here, but you could keep the money a good 4%+ savings account while researching better options. Presume Kiwisaver is covered via work.

[vagon]

I'd whack most of it in a Vanguard fund or something equivilant (low cost index fund)

This is the Aussie site: https://www.vanguardinvestments.com.au/retail/ret/investments/managed-funds-retail.jsp#fundstab
I assume you can apply too. If not something like ASB will be able to set you up with buying ETFs off the ASX, but this will incur relatively higher transaction costs if you plan on investing frequently.

You should have a look and see whether you want to leverage on whatever you choose. Debt is at historic lows and might make sense given your age, cash flow and time-frames.

Flick me a PM if any of the above is confusing.