Author Topic: Mustachian wisdom on Reddit  (Read 2067 times)

FireLane

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1328
  • Age: 41
  • Location: NYC
Mustachian wisdom on Reddit
« on: May 14, 2020, 07:51:35 PM »
The AskReddit forum had a topic: "People who are 40+ and happy with their life, what is your advice to people in their 20s?"

There were lots of good responses, including many pearls of hard-earned Mustachian wisdom. Here are a few I noticed:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fqadcgf/

Quote
Time is more important than money. In theory, you could end up a billionaire. But nobody is ever a "time billionaire." Rich or poor, you're gonna get maybe 100 years at the absolute max, and probably not that much.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fq9tigm/

Quote
Don't put yourself in ridiculous amounts of debt trying to portray a certain image. You'll spend your entire life trying to get out of the hole you dug or you'll have to declare bankruptcy.

Set aside enough money to cover 3-6 months of expenses for emergencies just like now. Moreover, save now for your retirement years. It doesn't require much and if you have it taken directly from your paycheck you won't be inclined to not pay yourself first.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fq9vix3/

Quote
Start saving now for your retirement. Avoid debt.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fqa95rt/

Quote
I could have setup a %6 pre-tax retirement account in my early 20s. I wasted 10+ years and now will have to work another 10 years to make up for lost time.

It takes a little adjustment but 6% - 10% pre-tax invested in the market will compound and add up to very good chunk of change by retirement. Plus as you move on from entry level to higher paying jobs you'll have established a healthy financial habit that you can practice until retirement and live a lot more comfortably.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fq9s2fs/

Quote
The biggest regret my dad has was not starting some sort of savings for retirement when he was in his 20s. He didn't start putting money into his 401k until he was 30 or so. If you don't have access to a 401k, look into getting an IRA or something you can just chip something into every week or month.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fqa5h75/

Quote
Save. Your. Money.

I wish I could have back the thousands of dollars I threw in the fire partying at clubs.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ghmr3e/people_who_are_40_and_happy_with_their_life_what/fqafuvd/

Quote
Do. Not. Seek. Riches.

If you are comfortable financially - and that honestly just means the ability to get by without stressing about it constantly - then you are going to be fine. Wealth is insipid.

I spent years of my life chasing down money, and all it got me was a drinking problem and five hours of sleep a night because my boss would send my emails at 1am and expect a reply.

None of this shit matters unless you are in genuine trouble, in which case my advice is irrelevant. If, however, you have a nice home of whatever size, the means to feed yourself, and the ability to go and chill out in your chill-out location of choice sometimes, then you will be a happier person than the person who brings in £200k a year but never sees their partner or gets a good night's sleep.

ysette9

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8930
  • Age: 2020
  • Location: Bay Area at heart living in the PNW
Re: Mustachian wisdom on Reddit
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2020, 08:09:52 PM »
There have been some similar threads in the women’s financial FB group I am part of. “What advice would you give your younger self?”. Not all are money related but plenty enoigh on spending less and saving more.