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What advice would you give to your younger self? Share with Legal & General - NOW CLOSED

(624 Posts)
EllieGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 04-Feb-19 14:42:13

We’ve all been asked this question at some point. Our answers can vary from ‘I wish I’d taken more risks’ or ‘I would have stopped caring about what people think’, to ‘I wish I’d had more fun’ or ‘I wish I’d travelled the world more’. But if you really think about it, what practical advice would you have really benefited from when you were younger? What would you have told your younger self? What would you have done differently? A recent survey carried out across Mumsnet and Gransnet revealed that some Gransnet users consciously put off financial decisions. Is going further with your finances something you might have given more consideration to, with the benefit of hindsight? Whatever advice you’d like to give to your younger self, Legal & General would love to know.

Here’s what Legal & General have to say: “On our savings journey, a nudge in the right direction can make the world of difference when it comes to our financial futures. It’s starting off early, saving little and often over a longer period, that can really pay off*. Although it’s never too late to start saving, what tips and guidance would have motivated you to do more with your money and just get started?”

Would you have taken more risks when you were younger? Is there any information you wish you would have known back then, such as how to save into your pension, how to invest your money or even how to save your money from an earlier age? Would you like to tell your younger self to be more confident in the decisions you make? Or perhaps you wish you’d spent more time with friends and family?

Whatever the advice you would like to give to your younger self, post them on the thread below and everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one GNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).*

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

*Open 4/02/19 to 25/02/19. To enter please post on the thread below. One entry per person. One prize to be won: £300 voucher of winner’s choice (from a list). Winner chosen by random draw performed by computer process.

*The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and any income from them is not guaranteed. Legal & General Unit Trust Managers Limited.

Sparklepants3 Wed 06-Feb-19 20:53:48

To not waste so much money! Looking back growing up I was in a good position and living with my parents. I wasted my money and didn't save any, I could have saved for a deposit for a place. But, at least I had fun ?

Sm55 Wed 06-Feb-19 20:41:42

I would tell myself to stay in school and take my A levels and go to uni but I probably wouldn't listen as I never listened to anyone.

cathwarbur Wed 06-Feb-19 20:30:28

I wish I had been more adventurous, I look forward to new things now but sometimes I am not healthy ( old age) enough to do certain things

kamoc Wed 06-Feb-19 20:18:51

it would be to put myself first and not always think about everyone else before myself

towser44 Wed 06-Feb-19 20:10:21

Start thinking about a pension plan and your retirement as soon as possible! It soon comes around and then it's too late!

pamhill4 Wed 06-Feb-19 20:04:27

Oh so many words of advice but would I have taken them being so headstrong I wonder? Ask your parents for their history and take notes!
You have lovely legs so stop being shy and show them off
Stop being shy full stop
Travel, travel and travel!
You aren’t responsible for everyone and you can’t solve everything
Slow down and enjoy the moment
And finally
The little things are really the big things in life

robinson131 Wed 06-Feb-19 20:01:47

I'd tell my self to stick in at school and get good qualifications to set me up for a job.

IamaWallis2 Wed 06-Feb-19 19:53:48

Learn to save and to realize that if you don't have the money ready when needed, for example, a holiday you want - then you don't put it on your credit card. So you don't go on that holiday until you can afford it and you make do and mend. Learn this lesson and you will not get into serious debt.

freefan Wed 06-Feb-19 19:47:53

Follow that dream and don't be put off as the future works out. Oh and cuddle the people you love just a little bit longer and spend time listening, like really listening to what they have to say and teach.

Funkyferret Wed 06-Feb-19 19:40:01

To have more self-belief. I always thought everyone else knew better than me so when they laughed at or put down my ideas, I'd shelve them. Now I know I wasn't always being wrong or stupid and there are some things I should have pursued.

matphil Wed 06-Feb-19 19:32:16

To be more confident and stop worrying about everything. To not care what others think and to do your own thing. To enjoy your life as much as you can.

RosemaryAnne Wed 06-Feb-19 19:32:15

Wish I'd known back then how phenomenally house prices would rise. I worked in an Estate Agent and it would have been worth getting into debt to buy a property knowing now how much house prices would go up. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Cotswoldgranny Wed 06-Feb-19 19:24:44

I should of told myself to cut down on the cycling and hiking...especially when wet as now my knees are to arthritic to crawl around the floor after my toddler grandson!!

angiemary Wed 06-Feb-19 19:21:30

To do better at school & to try much harder.

tiredoldwoman Wed 06-Feb-19 19:19:06

Stay on at school .

s861421 Wed 06-Feb-19 19:17:03

Dont get into debt, but make memories. Most of my problems now are caused by my huge debts, and I wish I could have stopped the circle in the first place

hellymart Wed 06-Feb-19 19:13:28

Find a job you love! Go to London and work on a magazine. Travel more because when you get older, you won't be bothered! Don't rent that house for two years - a complete waste of money - BUY a house and pay a mortgage instead of rent. Find a man who wants the same as you. Have children.

pauline1245 Wed 06-Feb-19 19:04:22

Never be afraid to ask ...

Elrel Wed 06-Feb-19 18:56:37

I'd tell my younger self to take full advantage of the good free education offered, not to worry about boys, and to be happy with my looks.
I would tell her to appreciate the value of money and realise that there would always be people better off than me, and many more far worse off.
Most of all I'd say she should treat her parents with respect and realise that they were doing their best and that nobody is perfect!

RachDayxx Wed 06-Feb-19 18:52:36

Don't be afraid to take risks and do what you want to do, not what others think you should be doing. Have the confidence to meet your dreams head on.

quizqueen Wed 06-Feb-19 18:42:38

Marry someone you can't live without, not someone who will just do! Also, spend more time being nice to your parents.

Jennylynn Wed 06-Feb-19 18:41:29

Be more confident. To not get involved with boys and concentrate on my education. Wait for Mr Right to come along and not marry the first male who would marry me through fear of being left on the shelf. Put my family first.

astojag Wed 06-Feb-19 18:41:10

Don't be in awe of the overconfident types, their swagger is normally false.

marpau Wed 06-Feb-19 18:37:58

Avoid paying interest wherever possible

Cambia Wed 06-Feb-19 18:31:46

Check your pension payments! Mine was married woman’s and only found out a couple of years ago, so virtually no pension! Definitely save as much as possible.