best advice to give an 18 yr old moving out ...

[kid a]

my first born is heading out...my first advice was about finances: don't spend, live simply, pay cash and save $ (oh, and don't get pregnant) :evilgrin:

lets have some elder perspective - not that teen and 20 somethings can't add in, but we in our 30's and 40's have been around a few blocks and might have a few keen words of wisdom

[cobalt1999]

1. "Advice is wasted on the young"

"Don't get pregnant" is probably about the best you can do.

[grasswire]

2. "return with honor"

Because the probability of the kid returning is pretty high.

[pokerfan]

17. With your shield or on it!

[Inchworm]

3. "trust yourself"

:)

[Perseid]

4. Same advice I would give a 5 year old

don't eat boogers or live with goobers.

that's about it.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

5. "Throw away your key 'cause the locks get changed tomorrow."

:evilgrin:

[unsavedtrash]

6. Even if the roommates are your best friends, there is a good possibility they will bail when bills

are due. Squirrel away as much extra cash as possible to cover bills that are in your name.

Never open the door to a stranger. Look out of the peep hole or the front window to make sure you know the person. If not, ignore or talk to the person through a closed door.

Lock the door.

Try to eat at least one real meal a day.

Every once in a while spend a day in pj's eating cereal.

[Ariana Celeste]

15. oh god yes

Never room up with your closest friends because chances are they won't be your closest friends anymore. I wish I had taken this advice after my mom gave it to me.

You never really know a person until you live with them!! Seriously! All of a sudden you are living with all of their bad habits, and they are living with yours. Sometimes they won't pay bills. You will have to put up with any of their friends, family, b/f, g/f, etc whether you like them or not. I ended up with so many shady people in my home all hours of the day and night without anyone talking to me first, ugh. And I am a person who greatly values privacy.

I am only 22, but me and my ex lost a couple of former great friends after we all had to live together.

[yellowdogintexas]

23. my daughter could write a book about that one subject alone

they (she and friend) are back on cordial terms but it was a very bumpy road there for quite a while. Daughter moved back in with me in January, friend rattled around at loose ends but we think she is back on track. Sure hope so. I have known this kid since she was7 so feel like she's part mine, you know?

[astonamous]

7. Do a lot of pretending...

Pretend your mom is coming over any second.

Pretend your business teacher is grading you on your budget, spending and accounting.

Pretend you have some horrible disease that makes you be in bed at 10:00 pm every night all alone with a good book. OK, Friday night can be an exception...stay up til midnight.

[flvegan]

8. "Trust your very best judgement"

And as an 18 year old female...

"go nowhere alone"
"be aware of everything around you"
"never be afraid to hurt someone that is your predator"
"the balls, the nose and the eyes, in that order"

[DarkTirade]

14. Shins are handy too

as long as he isn't a soccer player.

[JVS]

9. "Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, hear the lamentations of their women"

[NightWatcher]

10. my grandfather's advice. "dont do THE drug" & "keep it in your pants"

slipped on #1, and used protection for #2. The advice was good nonetheless.

[Xipe Totec]

11. Move always forward

When I told my father
I was about to take flight
that I had my wings
and would leave his home

He turned serious and said
the same happened to me
I also left my father’s house
when I was your age

When life beckons
children always leave
the road is calling you
and it does not like to wait

Move always forward
grip your reins well
but never offend others
so they will never offend

Move always forward
and mark your path well
the better the wheat you sow
the better will be the harvest

Do not trust the stones
that may trip you along the way
move them off the road
for the sake of those behind

When you have no friends left
or even a dog to talk to
look within you and see
that you can always talk with yourself

Move always forward
and believe there’s a future
do not let yourself lose it
because your bed is so comfortable

Move always forward
And don’t abandon your path
and extend an open hand
to anyone who will take it

When I told my father
I was about to take flight
My eyes clouded over
and I left his home.

- Alberto Cortez


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiwVkDIcDhI

[momophile]

12. don't be afraid to call home and cry to mom or dad

most of us want to do it sometimes. plus, it will make mom and dad really happy to know that you still love them.

and take care out there.
:hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

25. thank God my girl knew she could do that and she DID do that. We kept her

sane when stuff started to go downhill.

[BlueIris]

13. Screen any and all roommates VERY carefully.

Backround checks. Personal references. Try to room only with those you know from personal experience to be responsible WRT money and lifestyle.

Avoid male roommates until you've got at least a few years of independent living under your belt. Avoid co-habitation with romatic partners until you are at least 25.

[pokerfan]

16. Lord loves a workin' man/woman!

Don't trust whitey
See a doctor and get rid of it.

[Omphaloskepsis]

18. If you live with others color code your dishes..

I have a red plastic bin that I put my dirty dishes in. Yes, my pans, silverware, and accessories all have red on them. My dishes are also red. I put my dirty stuff in my red bucket. I wash it when I need to.

[skyblue]

19. Volunteer for the Democratic Party. WE NEED YOU!! It's a good way to meet cool people.

Also: Don't let others mess with your head. Remember you're important!!

Where applicable: Get it in writing

[gr8dane_daddy]

20. If she's working...

put away at least 6% in a 401K and forget about it. Don't ever look at it until you're 40 yrs old.

Oh and put it into the more aggressive funds...she's young and can recover...but the payoff is tremendous.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

21. have protected sex.

[NewJeffCT]

22. good advice - I would also add that

she should save all her receipts. Somewhere along the line, somebody is going to question her about something: be it the rent from a previous month, a car insurance payment, a chair she bought for her place, etc. If she has all her receipts organized and filed away in a safe location, she can then show her proof of payment.

[yellowdogintexas]

24. don't get a dog, get a cat. nt

[Sweet Freedom]

26. Okay

Don't get married until you have a degree.

Choose a major that will make you money; work hard when you're young, healthy and your back doesn't hurt. When you're older (and your back does hurt) then you will have the money and experience to open your own business doing what you love.

Join a professional organization or participate in an internship relative to your field. "It's not what you know, it's who you know" is true, and getting a job after college is always easier if you know someone in your field.

Stay away from drinking frat parties. The combination just begs for trouble.

Keep your car tuned and gas tank filled. Always wear your seatbelt.

Always carry some cash to use in an emergency.

I realize after reading my post that I've assumed your first born is heading to college. If that isn't the case, my advice is...go to college, it's too difficult to compete without a degree. :)

[lizziegrace]

29. more car advice

Get a AAA membership so you'll always have a tow if your car breaks down.

[likesmountains 52]

27. Know how to check your oil and change a tire..keep jumper cables in the

car and know how to use them...

[lizziegrace]

28. If in doubt,

DON'T.

And be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

;)

[vanlassie]

30. from a Sarah Bettens song....

Stay clear of extremes
Just say what you mean
But try not to be mean

You should say thank you often
Like your hair
Wave to strangers everywhere
Do what you’re supposed to do
Don’t look at what the others do

Think before you buy a car
Don’t marry someone you met at a bar
There’s no such thing as going too far
Love who you are

Don’t be scared of what’s ahead
But wear a helmet to protect your head
Be aware, say you care, don’t say fair

Stay close to the hands that raised you
Watch for signs
Never waste expensive wine
Spoil your body, spoil yourself
Never cheat and share your wealth

Sing when you’re glad
Close the door if you sound bad
Don’t believe a man who knows he’s right
Don’t skip ahead, enjoy your flight

Be nice to your dog
Drive slow in the fog
Convince yourself to write a song
Change clothes every day
Call ahead when you’re late
Be safe when you’re planning to get laid

Read what you like
Be on your brother’s side
It’s okay to wonder why
But don’t expect to understand your life

Don’t expect to understand your life..."

[myrna minx]

31. A lease is a contract. Depending on her state laws, even if

*she* pays her portion of the rent, if her roommate doesn't, they are equally responsible, so roommate screening is very important.

Learn how to balance a checkbook. The balance from the phone bank system doesn't necessary reflect outstanding checks/debits. I can't tell you how many times I hear from young people after a check bounces "The bank told me I had $500.00" despite the outstanding rent check, insurance check, etc. It's truly astounding.

Don't loan anything out that is very meaningful or that you expect to get back, be it money, her favorite book, her favorite sweater, etc. I learned that the hard way. :-(

Always have cab fare, when out with your friends. You never want to get stuck at a party or some club across town without means to get home. Friends can vanish at a party, (meet a guy, etc.)so if you have money squirreled away, you can always get home safely.

While alot of these posts are cautionary tales, she is embarking on a very exciting time in her life. :-)