Tips for the Naive Among Us

[DS]

It really isn't about what you earn - it's about what you do with it.

My income is up to me, not an employer. I can move to another job at anytime, and I can also use side hustles to expand my income.

People with a lot of financial terminology can be really frickin stupid.

There is no one right way to success. Read everything and take the bits that suit you.

Don't listen to other people, even very good friends and relations.

Did you really mean that last part?  Two heads are better than one.  Should we not listen to all these tips being offered, even yours?

Going to guess they mean something to do with dogma & trusting gut vs. taking other people's advice and not literal listening?

[BlueHouse]

As a youngster I used to believe that adults knew what they were doing and in the economy of scale.  Turns out that most adults I've met are barely smart enough to remember to breathe most times with few being capable of being trusted with anything more complicated than a stick. 

This was probably my biggest realization when I got older, too.  And I think it's an important one.  Once you realize others really aren't that smart or capable, it provides a big boost of confidence in yourself.

And there is NO "permanent record".  Well, I guess with the internet, there actually is now.  hmmm.

[joonifloofeefloo]

Know the laws that apply to you. Many differ by neighbourhood, city, region, country, relationship status, etc. Even on this forum, people will give advice based on no laws or on the laws that apply in their circumstance, as though these are the same across the board. Laws are often available online or in a local library or courthouse. Read them. Agencies often develop layman’s guides to same; read those too.

[TVRodriguez]

Smart/geeky kids do not automatically grow up to "rule the world". Being personable, likable, and ruthless are also important if you want to seek power.

Being self-made is mostly mythology from self-congratulatory people. Everyone needs help, and the most successful people get a lot of it. So seek help.

Reading is good, but not all reading is created equal. Try to read people who know what they're talking about.

Everyone is going through something that you don't know about, so try to be nice.

All of this.

Smart is overrated.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

It really isn't about what you earn - it's about what you do with it.

My income is up to me, not an employer. I can move to another job at anytime, and I can also use side hustles to expand my income.

People with a lot of financial terminology can be really frickin stupid.

There is no one right way to success. Read everything and take the bits that suit you.

Don't listen to other people, even very good friends and relations.

Did you really mean that last part?  Two heads are better than one.  Should we not listen to all these tips being offered, even yours?

Two heads are only better than one if they both want the same outcome, which is rarely the case. Most people's 'advice' is actually fear based nay saying. They're throwing obstacles up where none exist. Don't listen to that crap. Don't take the advice of ANYONE unless you're damn sure that they're qualified to give it and are giving you the whole picture.

[Gremlin]

It really isn't about what you earn - it's about what you do with it.

My income is up to me, not an employer. I can move to another job at anytime, and I can also use side hustles to expand my income.

People with a lot of financial terminology can be really frickin stupid.

There is no one right way to success. Read everything and take the bits that suit you.

Don't listen to other people, even very good friends and relations.

Did you really mean that last part?  Two heads are better than one.  Should we not listen to all these tips being offered, even yours?

Two heads are only better than one if they both want the same outcome, which is rarely the case. Most people's 'advice' is actually fear based nay saying. They're throwing obstacles up where none exist. Don't listen to that crap. Don't take the advice of ANYONE unless you're damn sure that they're qualified to give it and are giving you the whole picture.

I've got a slightly different slant on "advice".  I'm willing to listen and seek counsel quite widely.  I WANT to hear opinions that are different to mine.  Confirmation bias can be a killer and I'm not arrogant enough to think I can't be wrong.  But I'm also conscious that I need to own my own decisions.  I'll listen, reflect and challenge or refine my own thinking, if necessary, before I act.  No one knows my motivations, internal rule set or personal ambitions like I do.  Everyone else is, at best, reflecting their interpretation of that or, at worst, presenting their own variations that apply to them.  But ultimately my decisions are my own.

[enFuego]

Smart is overrated.

This!  To borrow a quote from the late great Herb Brooks: "You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone."

When I was young and arrogant I thought I was smart.  I now know I am smart enough.  The rest is just hard work and refusing to quit.

I also know there are different kinds of smart; some involve books and education, some don't - but are still valuable.  I have seen some pretty high IQ people totally eff up their lives because they have no practical skills.  Invest in your intelligence and education, but recognize your other smarts.  Quick story... I was with three very intelligent and very educate Electrical Engineers trying to determine why the brake lights on a trailer wouldn't work consistently.  They spent a half hour having an intense theoretical debate about the involved electronics when the neighbor who was "good with his hands" came over and asked what was going on.  They explained it to him and he immediately said "Oh, you have a bad ground.  Take the grounding screw out, sandpaper the metal and screw it back in.  Problem solved!

On the other hand... Think for a second about how stupid the average person is.  Then realize half of people are even stupider than that.

[Dances With Fire]

"Career" is a term often overrated. I know of many who have "great careers" but sadly have little to no life other than their *job*

Money is often overrated, even here. Yes, it's a great "tool" for obtaining some freedom in your life however I know of many who have more than they need and are still unhappy people still looking for "something" more.

On the flip-side of that. Build assets, not things, or you end up with just things and no assets.

Focus on what really matters in your life. Be it family, friends, passions, nature, or your pet beagle.

[Dances With Fire]

"Career" is a term often overrated. I know of many who have "great careers" but sadly have little to no life other than their *job*

Money is often overrated, even here. Yes, it's a great "tool" for obtaining some freedom in your life however I know of many who have more than they need and are still unhappy people still looking for "something" more.

On the flip-side of that. Build assets, not things, or you end up with just things and no assets.

Focus on what really matters in your life. Be it family, friends, passions, nature, or your pet beagle.

Edit: If you ever see a posting for a "middle management" position, run like hell for the nearest exit. Or better yet, start your own business...

[msbutterbean]

Your mate doesn't have to get excited about all the same things as you, but you should each find joy in the other's excitement.

Also, if you didn't learn much about money growing up, don't do anything until you catch up some.

[Tyson]

Don't make your happiness dependent upon another person.

[Cannot Wait!]

@tyort1 shortly after my (cheating)husband left me, a well-intentioned friend said to me, "This is your second chance at a whole new life!"  which I responded to by bursting into tears and sobbing, "but I liked my old life; that's the life I wanted... " 
Wow,  looking back 10+ years on, my life is WAY BETTER than I could have imagined!   Some words of wisdom that stuck with me - you can't make someone love you.
NOT saying it was easy;  it was the hardest thing I've ever been through, but point your optimism gun on it and you'll make it through. 
And just think, even after being whacked financially;  you're still probably ahead of most mainstream people!

[moof]

When in doubt, ride a bike

Avoid hitting a Prius on your way home.  It hurts.

[Glenstache]

Fail at things. Failure is how we grow as a person and build resiliency. Failing is also an indicator that you are pushing and growing. Personally, I try to take on one new life challenge or skill that I might actually fail at at least once a year and routine stuff regularly. I am honest about what the worst thing that could happen is and go for it. This has enriched my life in so, so many ways... and added a few bumps and bruises along the way. Most recently I learned that I suck at sharpening ski edges (realized worst case is that I now need to take them to a pro to get them right, which is where I was before). On the other hand, hot waxing bases is super easy and will get done a lot more often (and more cheaply) now. I'll probably try the edges again at some point when I can get an experienced friend to provide better guidance. I also learned how to sing starting at age 40. There was a lot of out of key failing early, but now I have a (still in need of improvement) skill that gives a lot of joy and isn't awful to those around me. The list goes on and it all includes failure as a key feature. Failing, and not being afraid to fail are, is a key to a fulfilling life IMHO.

As Neils Bohr said, "An expert is a person who has found out by his own painful experience all the mistakes that one can make in a very narrow field."

[Free Spirit]

Learn to say "No", and mean it.

[Dances With Fire]

Learn to say "No", and mean it.

^^^ +1 This as well.

When I was much younger and naive this was one thing that was very hard for me to do. People (and employers) tend to take advantage of those who rarely say no. If they realize it or not, it happens. Keep this in mind when you say yes to the next task they want you to do.