It’s likely partly due to our age differences. Charlie Brown and Ben Le Fort are youngest, in their late 30s, Jason Clenenden is into his 40s, and the oldest of the bunch, I’m (barely still) in my 50s.
Just Starting Out? Top Money Tips from Top Finance Writers
On learning financial savvy: “Educate yourself as to the best place to store your money for you. Don’t just expect your employer or your parents to know best.”
On listening to your heart, and being ready to pivot when it’s time to do so: “Don’t think what you want now is what you’ll want when you’re older. And don’t listen to what the status quo tells you to do if it niggles you.
This could be sharing a house with housemates to save on one of the “big three” budget items – housing. It could instead be what Ben most laments having failed to do – buying a multi-unit house instead of a single-family home, living in one unit, and leasing out the other units to renters.
My emphasis is on avoiding the trap of high-interest debt. My own worst financial mistake was buying more car than I should have, with more money I didn’t have than I should have, at higher interest than anyone should have to pay.
All of us advise those of you just starting out to do whatever you can to avoid debt, and to start investing for the future as soon as you can. Charlie and follow that by encouraging you to avoid lifestyle inflation.