Isn’t hindsight such a wonderful thing? Yes, life is made up of those ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ moments, where we think about how different things could have been if we’d just gone for that job, travelled more or started saving earlier. But that hindsight can turn into insight, a lesson learned and heeded by our future selves, as well as our children and grandchildren.
Legal & General asked Gransnet users what advice they’d give their younger selves if they had the chance, which resulted in these fantastic pearls of wisdom and money-saving tips.
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“Look after your finances, check out a fixed rate mortgage and swap at the end of your term, along with all of your utilities. It's a nuisance, I know, but it will save you hundreds, maybe even thousands of pounds.”
"Start thinking about a pension plan and your retirement as soon as possible - it soon comes around and then it's too late!"
"I would have started a pension plan as early as possible. I put off saving for ages as I thought there was plenty of time in the future for that, but in reality the years fly by so quickly."
"You should start saving and taking more risks. For example, take up that mortgage you were offered and get yourself on the property ladder...the payments are more than affordable. Stop being lazy and have more confidence in your ability to manage a property!"
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"I wouldn't worry so much about what people think and I would eat the cake, wear the shorter skirt, buy a bikini (not a one piece) and go for the promotion. As someone reminded me the other day, 'You're a long time dead.'"
"I left school at 15, so I would tell myself to complete all the night school courses I started. Education and knowledge is the key to a successful life. I finally got my degree at 45."
“I would tell myself to make more memories with my children. They had a great childhood and are both very happy and contented adults, but when I remember back to one or two of the special days when I took them on the train to visit York and Stratford-upon-Avon, I regret that we didn’t do it more often.”
"Find out as much as you can from parents and grandparents, there's such a wealth of knowledge there which you can also pass on to your own children and grandchildren later!"
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Disclaimer: 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.
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