Everyone can look back on their childhood and pick out a few things their parents said, that at the time didn’t mean anything, but now in adulthood, can be fully understood. One of the conundrums of life is that there are things we can not understand until we are older but that we desperately need to grasp when we’re young. At least, if we could have comprehended the importance of those lessons, we would be a step a head in the game of college, work, relationships…. The following are now things I thank my parents everyday for teaching, or trying to teach me.
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
I remember the first time my father said this to me, we had been driving around looking for the best gas prices and I didn’t see the point, a penny is just a penny. I’ve learned, since having to pay my own bills, that a penny is not just a penny; 100 pennies = $1 and 500 pennies = a cup of coffee. . At nine I had a paper rout and spent every dime made either at the mall or the arcade. At fifteen I worked in a hospital and after that until recently I waited tables. I made good money, great money considering I still lived with my parents and had minimal expenses. I never thought twice about spending $100 to take myself and my friends to dinner. Now, I’d like to buy a house or at least a new TV but only have about $25 in my piggy bank. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have fun with your money, heck you’ve worked hard for it right? But would you rather have a Coach purse now, or new snow tires next winter? No matter how big that purse is, it’s not big enough to live in when you get evicted for defaulting on your rent. I’m currently in the midst of figuring out a way to consolidate all my credit card debt so that I can actually start having fun with my money again instead of paying 28% interest on my maxed out Visa.
You Hate Doing Chores Now but
You’ll Appreciate It When You’re Older
I’ll never forget my father saying this as I was trudging through the back yard in waist deep snow to feed our two dogs. I remember saying to myself “if you think I’ll ever appreciate this than Alzheimer’s must already be setting in.” To all those kids out there cursing under your breath while cleaning your room or taking out the trash, turn around and thank your parents for teaching you some discipline and responsibility. Building it up now will make the transition into adulthood a lot easier because when you have a job you can’t just shove your work under your bed or at least you can’t if you want to get any where in life.
As I mentioned above, I’ve been holding down a job since I was a little kid. Work ethic was never something I had to work hard at. And it has paid off, literally. I have great rapport with all my bosses which has made pie out of getting a reference when I need one. My co-workers know they can turn to me for help and my employers have confidence in me and respect for me. I do not have a degree, yet (that’s a story for another time) but I have managed to land jobs because I’ve left a trail of employers begging me to come back.
Working hard isn’t just beneficial to your career (and wallet) it makes you a reliable and respected person. When people know they can count on you to get a job done, they’re more likely to cut you slack when you need it and agree to help you when you ask.
I’m NOT Your Maid, Pick Up After Yourself!
As a teenager my room always looked like ground zero; like a bomb of clothes and make up had exploded. I wish I had developed the habit of being tidier because nothing is as stressful as having five minutes to clean up a weeks worth of dishes because your friends called to announce they’re in the area and want to drop in. As a teenager my room always looked like ground zero; like a bomb of clothes and make up had exploded. I wish I had developed the habit of being tidier because nothing is as stressful as having five minutes to clean up a weeks worth of dishes because your friends called to announce they’re in the area and want to drop in.
Having a tendency for messiness was one thing my ex had difficulty over looking, even though he said it didn’t bother him, it was apparent. Relationships are difficult enough without having these extra hurdles in the way. Chances are as person in your 20’s you have or will soon find yourself in a roommate situation, whether as an other or not. and no one, but no one wants to live with a dirty roommate.
Although having a dog and no easily accessible laundry facilities hasn’t made my attempts at tidiness any easier, I am learning to do the dishes on a regular basis so it doesn’t turn into a whole Sunday afternoon chore.
So stop throwing your clothes and wet towels all over your bedroom and get into the habit of at least putting them in a laundry basket. This way, when that cute guy or hot girl you’ve been dancing with all night at the club decides to come back for one last round, you won’t have to make them enter your apartment with their eyes closed….. unless you want to.
Take a “No Thank You” Bite
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
I remember the first time my father said this to me, we had been driving around looking for the best gas prices and I didn’t see the point, a penny is just a penny. I’ve learned, since having to pay my own bills, that a penny is not just a penny; 100 pennies = $1 and 500 pennies = a cup of coffee. . At nine I had a paper rout and spent every dime made either at the mall or the arcade. At fifteen I worked in a hospital and after that until recently I waited tables. I made good money, great money considering I still lived with my parents and had minimal expenses. I never thought twice about spending $100 to take myself and my friends to dinner. Now, I’d like to buy a house or at least a new TV but only have about $25 in my piggy bank. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have fun with your money, heck you’ve worked hard for it right? But would you rather have a Coach purse now, or new snow tires next winter? No matter how big that purse is, it’s not big enough to live in when you get evicted for defaulting on your rent. I’m currently in the midst of figuring out a way to consolidate all my credit card debt so that I can actually start having fun with my money again instead of paying 28% interest on my maxed out Visa.
You Hate Doing Chores Now but
You’ll Appreciate It When You’re Older
I’ll never forget my father saying this as I was trudging through the back yard in waist deep snow to feed our two dogs. I remember saying to myself “if you think I’ll ever appreciate this than Alzheimer’s must already be setting in.” To all those kids out there cursing under your breath while cleaning your room or taking out the trash, turn around and thank your parents for teaching you some discipline and responsibility. Building it up now will make the transition into adulthood a lot easier because when you have a job you can’t just shove your work under your bed or at least you can’t if you want to get any where in life.
As I mentioned above, I’ve been holding down a job since I was a little kid. Work ethic was never something I had to work hard at. And it has paid off, literally. I have great rapport with all my bosses which has made pie out of getting a reference when I need one. My co-workers know they can turn to me for help and my employers have confidence in me and respect for me. I do not have a degree, yet (that’s a story for another time) but I have managed to land jobs because I’ve left a trail of employers begging me to come back.
Working hard isn’t just beneficial to your career (and wallet) it makes you a reliable and respected person. When people know they can count on you to get a job done, they’re more likely to cut you slack when you need it and agree to help you when you ask.
I’m NOT Your Maid, Pick Up After Yourself!
As a teenager my room always looked like ground zero; like a bomb of clothes and make up had exploded. I wish I had developed the habit of being tidier because nothing is as stressful as having five minutes to clean up a weeks worth of dishes because your friends called to announce they’re in the area and want to drop in. As a teenager my room always looked like ground zero; like a bomb of clothes and make up had exploded. I wish I had developed the habit of being tidier because nothing is as stressful as having five minutes to clean up a weeks worth of dishes because your friends called to announce they’re in the area and want to drop in.
Having a tendency for messiness was one thing my ex had difficulty over looking, even though he said it didn’t bother him, it was apparent. Relationships are difficult enough without having these extra hurdles in the way. Chances are as person in your 20’s you have or will soon find yourself in a roommate situation, whether as an other or not. and no one, but no one wants to live with a dirty roommate.
Although having a dog and no easily accessible laundry facilities hasn’t made my attempts at tidiness any easier, I am learning to do the dishes on a regular basis so it doesn’t turn into a whole Sunday afternoon chore.
So stop throwing your clothes and wet towels all over your bedroom and get into the habit of at least putting them in a laundry basket. This way, when that cute guy or hot girl you’ve been dancing with all night at the club decides to come back for one last round, you won’t have to make them enter your apartment with their eyes closed….. unless you want to.
Take a “No Thank You” Bite
**If you check out the link please do read the comments, it's part of why I chose it**
If there was something on my plate that I would have rather fed to the dog, my mother always made me take a “no thank you” bite. Meaning now matter what it was, I had to try a little bit and if I still didn’t like it after that than I didn’t have to eat it. Circling back around to those picky eaters, or just picky people in general try a taste, it’s not going to kill you. In fact, it will broaden your horizons and make you a more interesting person. If you’re always too afraid to try new things, food or otherwise, than your life will never be more interesting than it is right now. The “no thank you” bite was probably the best thing my mother could have done for me because not only am I not afraid to try anything once (or twice), I actually seek out new adventures and my life is that much richer for it.
AND, being adventurous is sexy. I don’t know how many times voicing my love of raw oysters has turned into requests for my phone number. If bungee jumping really scares the googlies out of you, than don’t do it. But trying a new restaurant or something like line dancing is not nearly as life threatening and can be just eye opening.
Beer before liquor, never been sicker
This isn’t original but it is good advice, some of the best advice my brother ever gave. Life and parties have far more in common than I realized at the time of my first hangover. The obvious point to take from here is party with guidelines. One tequila shot is a good time; six is puking in the toilet. Just like the difference between one cookie and a box of cookies smothered in chocolate sauce over ice cream, is four dress sizes. Not that it needs to be said, but moderation is key. I’m a girl and not surprising I have an obsession with shoes. But 100 pairs of sandals just leaves you with no money for rent and limited available closet space, believe me on this one, I’m living it.
I’m sure most of us can recall parties that we wish we could forget, and then there are those of us who can’t quite recall those ones and we’re happy for it. Once you start time traveling, it’s time to go home. For those who need clarification; time traveling is when you’re just having fun, drinking beer in the living room and next thing you know you dancing on the table to “I like Big Butts” with some guy named Bob who apparently is now your fiance. Six hours have passed and the last thing you remember is reaching for another Bud Lite.
This is not sexy. Not only is it not sexy but it hurts in the morning and not just your head.
I’ve learned to have fun and indulge in the things I love within the borders I’ve set for myself. Although on occasion I do stretch my boarders for some elbow. Hey, sometimes that fifth beer just won’t be quiet until I do keg stand.
For more advice and how to, check out this book by Christie Mellor. It's helpful and funny. Some parts even have illustrated guides.
