If, while reading through parts one and two of the mondo life advice post you think of any bits of wisdom or advice that you've learned, feel free to leave them in the comments.
If settling in for a long night of drinking, make sure to make every third drink a glass of plain water that you sip. Once you're drunk, that's every other drink. This is called a spacer, and it will save your life.
Puff, puff, pass.
You will have to deal with things you're not prepared to face yet. This is what being grown up means.
A painless $20 automatically deducted from each paycheck now, invested in a Roth IRA, is as good as $200 from each paycheck ten years from now.
Love and respect the magic of compound interest.
Never skimp on the cost of: shoes; chef's knives; batteries; flowers.
Surround yourself with interesting people, and you'll never be bored.
Learn how to disagree without animosity.
Never skimp on basic tools. You'll pay more now, but take care of them and they'll last you a lifetime.
Teach your wife/girlfriend/daughters the basics of car care. Make sure they know how to check the fluids and tire pressure, add same if needed and can change a flat, just in case.
Wool sweaters can be washed by hand with cheap shampoo. If it's itchy, use conditioner to rinse it out. It's just the hair of a sheep instead of a human. Never use Woolite. It eats the wool.
DON'T wash Wool with hot water on the regular cycle. If you really want to wash it in the machine, make sure you use COLD water and the delicates cycle. (but see the tip above)
Washable silk is just fine.
Project confidence, even if you're not. That makes other people feel confident too.
"Nothing adds a little drama like FIRE!" - The cooking guy on Queer Eye.
Sometimes it's sexier not to have sex. Leave 'em begging for more.
Be the best roommate you can be. Don't feel bad if you have to kick out a roommate.
Only loan someone money if you can afford not to see it again, i.e. make it a gift and let it return to you as good karma.
Compounding interest is your best friend. The more frequently it compounds, the better. (monthly vs yearly) Remember, this can bite you back if it's interest on debt.
If you need financial help, ask your parents before you consider bankruptcy. It's better for you to learn your lessons about managing debt before the debt is too big for even your parents to cover.
Get an Amex, not a credit card. If you really want a credit card intead, you only need one card in college and your limit should be $1000. If the company raises the limit, call them and ask them to lower it back down.
Pay yourself first and have a rainy day fund.
Live to eat, not eat to live. Girls like boys who are a little sophisticated about wine and food. A little will go a long way.
Learn to cook. Feeding your friends and loved ones will make memories that you'll have forever.
"Don't treat people with [such] disdain." - advice given to Bunny Garnett. It pays to be polite. And be nice to everyone, because you never know who you will meet. After all, Bob Woodward met Deep Throat before he even became a journalist.
Don't take advantage of your friends.
Be a giver, not a taker, but know when to stop giving. Don't be a doormat.
It's okay to bail out a situation if it puts you or your sanity at risk.
Safety third is contextual. When you're back on the asphalt, it's safety FIRST. Not kidding about this one. I don't know you gave you that advice, but when you are driving on the road or back in reality camp, make safety your first priority. You can't help others if you are incapacitated. Put on your air mask first and then assist the person next to you. Buckle up!
Be nice to old people. They've had long and interesting lives. Talk to them with respect and kindness, even if you disagree.
Buying a house is better than renting. Get a condo if you're too busy to do the maintenance yourself.
Learn to smoke, drink and play cards. You don't have to do it all the time, but at least you won't look like a dork if someone offers you a cigar. Plus you can make a month's worth of laundry money in quarters with a quick dormitory poker game.
Enjoy reading and read widely.
Learn to enjoy classical music, because you never know when you'll have to sit through a concert.
Don't fidget. Learn to sit still and be a fly on the wall.
Be trustworthy and keep secrets when you're asked to be a secret keeper.
If settling in for a long
Surround yourself with
Surround yourself with interesting people, and you'll never be bored.
Learn how to disagree without animosity.
Never skimp on basic tools. You'll pay more now, but take care of them and they'll last you a lifetime.
Teach your wife/girlfriend/daughters the basics of car care. Make sure they know how to check the fluids and tire pressure, add same if needed and can change a flat, just in case.
Never speed in Connecticut.
Never speed in Connecticut.
All she wants to hear is "I'm sorry." Say it. Mean it.
Even when you don't mean it.
When going out for a night with the guys, always wear shoes you can run in.
But don't run unless everyone else is.
There is a difference between
There is a difference between bitching and whining. Learn it.
Don't be the first to do either.
There is a difference between being sensitive and being a pussy. Learn it.
Never confuse kindness for weakness. Ever.
There is a difference between pain and injury. Learn that, too.
You can say whatever you want, but you can't un-say any of it.
The importance or esteem in which you hold something is no indication of how others hold it.
Use the library.
It's OK to give flowers even if you haven't done anything wrong.
You probably did anyway and don't know it.
Jobs suck- yours, mine, everybody's. Get used to it.
Read the care label on
Read the care label on clothes, and follow them.
Wool sweaters can be washed by hand with cheap shampoo. If it's itchy, use conditioner to rinse it out. It's just the hair of a sheep instead of a human. Never use Woolite. It eats the wool.
DON'T wash Wool with hot water on the regular cycle. If you really want to wash it in the machine, make sure you use COLD water and the delicates cycle. (but see the tip above)
Washable silk is just fine.
Project confidence, even if you're not. That makes other people feel confident too.
"Nothing adds a little drama like FIRE!" - The cooking guy on Queer Eye.
Sometimes it's sexier not to have sex. Leave 'em begging for more.
Be the best roommate you can be. Don't feel bad if you have to kick out a roommate.
Only loan someone money if you can afford not to see it again, i.e. make it a gift and let it return to you as good karma.
Compounding interest is your best friend. The more frequently it compounds, the better. (monthly vs yearly) Remember, this can bite you back if it's interest on debt.
If you need financial help, ask your parents before you consider bankruptcy. It's better for you to learn your lessons about managing debt before the debt is too big for even your parents to cover.
Get an Amex, not a credit card. If you really want a credit card intead, you only need one card in college and your limit should be $1000. If the company raises the limit, call them and ask them to lower it back down.
Pay yourself first and have a rainy day fund.
Live to eat, not eat to live. Girls like boys who are a little sophisticated about wine and food. A little will go a long way.
Learn to cook. Feeding your friends and loved ones will make memories that you'll have forever.
"Don't treat people with [such] disdain." - advice given to Bunny Garnett. It pays to be polite. And be nice to everyone, because you never know who you will meet. After all, Bob Woodward met Deep Throat before he even became a journalist.
Don't take advantage of your friends.
Be a giver, not a taker, but know when to stop giving. Don't be a doormat.
It's okay to bail out a situation if it puts you or your sanity at risk.
Safety third is contextual. When you're back on the asphalt, it's safety FIRST. Not kidding about this one. I don't know you gave you that advice, but when you are driving on the road or back in reality camp, make safety your first priority. You can't help others if you are incapacitated. Put on your air mask first and then assist the person next to you. Buckle up!
Be nice to old people. They've had long and interesting lives. Talk to them with respect and kindness, even if you disagree.
Buying a house is better than renting. Get a condo if you're too busy to do the maintenance yourself.
Learn to smoke, drink and play cards. You don't have to do it all the time, but at least you won't look like a dork if someone offers you a cigar. Plus you can make a month's worth of laundry money in quarters with a quick dormitory poker game.
Enjoy reading and read widely.
Learn to enjoy classical music, because you never know when you'll have to sit through a concert.
Don't fidget. Learn to sit still and be a fly on the wall.
Be trustworthy and keep secrets when you're asked to be a secret keeper.