Question for those 25 and older. Did you already Know this about the Real World?

[TVFactFan]

Something I just learned this year below and I will always remember


1. It's Easier to Find a Job when you already have One

2. Looking for a Job in the Newspaper is a Waste of Time

3. Always keep 4-6 months Pay in the Bank

[dawsongirl]

I'm 26 and I still haven't done any of that. And this job I just started...I found it while I was still working, and it still took 6 months to find.

[TVFactFan]

I'm 26 and I still haven't done any of that. And this job I just started...I found it while I was still working, and it still took 6 months to find.



Yeah I realized how important it is to have an emergency account just in case of a layoff because of bills still having to be paid. I try to find jobs now from having conversations with people instead of the Newspaper or Internet. Something I did't realize at 24

[Fleet]

Something I just learned this year below and I will always remember

1. It's Easier to Find a Job when you already have One

True.

2. Looking for a Job in the Newspaper is a Waste of Time

Not really true for me. I've found several jobs in the newspaper. They weren't high-status jobs, but they were jobs.

3. Always keep 4-6 months Pay in the Bank

Very, very true. One of the wisest things to do is have some emergency money in a savings.

[Brieannas21]

I think it's true that it's easier to find a job when you already have one, because it shows that you have a good work ethic and you want to move ahead.

Also open up an IRA it's even better then just saving part of your check.

[dlemond]

1. Yes

2. No. Never dismiss the newspaper.

3. Damn, keep as much money as you can always. Philly cheesesteaks and tv dvds aside, I think that is reasonable.

[retrochick9]

#3 is VERY IMPORTANT!!!! You could be laid off at ANY TIME no matter what you do, I've seen it happen to many people, MYSELF INCLUDED. It is very, very scary when you are used to having a paycheck and HEALTH BENEFITS and then you suddenly find yourself without them.

[Brad]

1. It's easier to find a job when you already have one.

That's usually true, and it's painfully obvious when you're unemployed. The longer a gap since your last job, the harder it is to land a job.

2. Looking for a job in the newspaper is a waste of time.

I wouldn't say it's a waste of time, but truthfully, I've never applied for a job advertised in the classifieds. When I was younger, with little experience, I went door-to-door asking places if they were accepting applications.

Now that I'm older, I put my resume online and apply for jobs there. That's how I got my current job (which I'm very, very happy with).

3. Always keep 4-6 months' pay in the bank.

This is a good thing to do, but it's easier said than done. With all my debts (rent, phone, car payment, pills, insurance, 401k, doctor's bills, garnishments from my paycheck), it's kind of hard to deposit a good chunk of my money into savings.

I'm sure others feel the same way.

[TVFactFan]

When I say looking for a JOB in the Newspaper is a Waste of Time, I meant a Career Job not a Job like McDonald's-lol Those type of Jobs you can find in the Paper

[Pus$y Galore]

Yeah I realized how important it is to have an emergency account just in case of a layoff because of bills still having to be paid. I try to find jobs now from having conversations with people instead of the Newspaper or Internet. Something I did't realize at 24


I did know those three, however I had no idea that in my early twenties I should have been socking something into RRSPs (401Ks in the U.S.). The earlier you start, the less you need to put away, and you'd be shocked at how much and fast that will grow. It's tougher to play catchup when you hit your mid thirties. I highly recommend the book, "The Wealthy Barber" by David Chilton. He's a Canadian, so the terms are a little different, but its a great read in layman's terms to get you to understand easy saving and investing for retirement.

Also, best way to find a GOOD new job - Network!! Make and keep contacts everywhere. Try not to burn bridges or piss people off - you may need them down the road! ;) :D

[swedeace]

I think one of the hardest things to about the real world is to save money. I learned in my Macroeconomics class earlier this year that Americans only tend to save about 1% of their total earnings. Wow...that goes to show how difficult or non-motivated we are. It's scary. It'd be nice for us to save up in case something happens or we want to get something in the future. Pretty scary, eh?

[gilligan fanatic]

This is where I don't fit in because I am under 25 and live at home and don't have to pay rent or anything.

I make about $150 a week at my grocery store. I keep about 40 every week and put the rest in the bank. I drive, but it is one of my parents cars that was paid of years ago so I don't have a car payment. I just need to pay gas which I do every 2 weeks. It comes to about $40 which is half of what I save in 2 weeks. The rest goes to various other things. None of my friends save there money which kind of bothers me. I feel bad for them come 5 years from now. I have been at my job 4 months and I have a good amount of money in each of my accounts. I only used my checking account once so that doesn't really shrink at all. I have never taken anything out of savings