My Grown Up Checklist!

Growing up and loving it! Growing into an adult is fun but being an adult can also be stressful sometimes what with responsibilities like bills, mortgages/rent among others. I never really had a written checklist as a new adult in my early 20s but more of a mental checklist (and I still do even though I write things down nowadays) of what I wanted to do and when I was going to do it.  It was more like I would like to travel to such and such a place by the end of the year or purchase a new laptop for example and work towards that. My grown up checklist to my 20something year old self would have looked something like this;

Travel…

And travel some more. Travel opens you up to a whole other world; it exposes you to different cultures, people, languages and broadens up your mind in ways that cannot be described. I have a much better appreciation for other cultures and groups of people thanks to my travels. If you can, travel. It does not have to cost an arm and a leg you can take advantage of the many offers available like discounted package tours, stay in hostels or bed and breakfasts as opposed to hotels to save up on costs. Travel to destinations where you have friends or family willing to accommodate you for a little while. It doesn’t even have to be outside of your country of residence you can travel to another city or town within your region. It is amazing how different two cities in one country can be. Soak up the culture as much as you can learn something new whether it is the local language or how to cook the local delicacies while on your travels. Be  a “cultural historical” type of traveler, don’t just spend your days on the beach and nights at the club go sightseeing, visit the local museum and cultural spots hang out with locals if you can. 

The London Eye, London UK

Save

Growing up I was never really taught the culture of saving I learnt how to save the hard way all by myself and I am still learning as I go on. Put something aside every week or month. You are never too old or too young to start so go ahead put something away for a rainy day/retirement or a home purchase today. Check out Personal Capital for tips on how to reach your financial goals. 

Read…

As much as you can. Go on pick up a book and read something it does not matter what just read. You will be surprised what you will find in a book. Do not limit yourself read whatever you can be it fiction/non fiction novels, academic books, self help books, religious books, newspapers or magazines just find something you like and read. Knowledge is power and reading provides plenty of it use it to your advantage. It doesn’t matter the medium whether hard copies or E-readers just read.

Give back…

To your community. People mostly assume that giving back has got to be a sort of financial or material donation like clothes and such. Not everyone will have some spare cash or used clothes or equipment to donate. If you do that is well and good, if you don’t you can also donate your time by volunteering at a local shelter, soup kitchen, charity shop, nursing home or school the list is endless. You can help with the chores, help read to the residents or teach young people life skills there is a host of activities and chores that you can help with. If you are in a position to donate both your time and money go ahead. Either way whatever you are able to do will be appreciated. 

Invest…

Wisely for a financially secure future. It can be anything from stocks and bonds or business to real estate. Personal Capital will come in handy in helping you plan for a financially secure future and also help you manage your wealth when your investments pay off. While you are busy investing financially do not forget to invest in lasting relationships with people who add value to your life. Do away with the toxic and negative people. Cheers to a great and financially secure future!