As a new adult, you are likely encountering a ton of unique adulting 101 questions. For some questions, you might have an answer and for others maybe not. Either way, it is okay. A lot of adulting is unique and there is often no one answer for everyone.
But, if you want to make the most of your twenties and early thirties it can be helpful to have a list of adulting 101 questions to refer to whenever you’re in doubt.
So, we are tackling some unique adulting 101 questions to help you navigate your adult life like a pro! To get started, we’ve outlined a few common struggles faced by new adults – and offered some helpful solutions for each.
Read on to learn more!
How to balance a busy work schedule with a healthy social life?
Life in your twenties can be hectic and unpredictable. Between work, social commitments, and trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it can be easy to lose focus and end up feeling overwhelmed all the time.
Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help you set priorities and reduce your stress levels – so that you can find time to enjoy yourself and still meet your responsibilities.
First and foremost, you should prioritize the things that are most important to you. Whether it’s a new job opportunity, a night out with friends, or a good night’s sleep, prioritize it.
You should also look for ways to make the most of your spare time. Think about taking a weekend hike, binging a show, or just enjoying a quiet moment with a book and coffee.
Finally, you should try to incorporate exercise into your regular routine whenever possible. Consider taking a long walk during your lunch break or hitting the gym after work.
Taking time for self-care is also a great way to recharge your batteries and give you the energy you need to tackle new challenges – so make your health a priority and set yourself up for success by implementing these strategies into your everyday life!
How to manage money wisely in your 20s?
Juggling the responsibilities of adulthood can be a challenge – especially if you don’t have a clear budget in place to help you stay on track. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to manage your money more effectively – so that you can reach your financial goals without compromising your quality of life.
Some are free and some are paid methods. All of them can help you take charge of your finances so you can gain a better understanding of your financial situation and make smarter financial decisions in the future.
The first thing you need to do is come up with a realistic monthly budget. It should reflect your current lifestyle and plans for the future.
In order to develop this budget, spend two months tracking all of your expenses. You can use a notebook or app. Doing this tells you exactly what you’re spending every month.
Next, assess your budget and determine the areas of your life that are causing you the most financial stress. Do you spend too much on dining out? Maybe you see that you are spending $300 a month on groceries while also spending $300 a month on going out. There is definitely room to tighten your budget in these areas.
By analyzing where your money is going, you can identify areas where you need to eliminate unnecessary spending and improve your financial situation in the long term.
Remember to be honest with yourself about your spending habits. This isn’t the time to hide from reality – because it will only make your situation worse in the long run. After you’ve identified your problem areas, create a detailed plan for how you plan to tackle them.
Read More: How To Set Up An Emergency Fund To Stay On Track In Your 20s
Quick How-To Budget Guide
So, here are a few things to remember. First, assess your income and determine how much you can realistically afford to spend on entertainment, hobbies, vacations, etc. Next, identify areas where you can cut back on your spending.
For example, maybe it’s cheaper for you to go out and buy your own supplies instead of having them delivered on a weekly basis. You can also cut down on expensive restaurant meals by cooking more at home.
Finally, figure out how much money you will need to cover all of the expenses in your budget. Sometimes, you’ll need to make adjustments in order to reach your goal.
If you can’t afford the new car you have your eye on, you may have to make other sacrifices in your day-to-day life in order to save up for your purchase later. Be patient and stay focused. Establishing a budget can take time – but it will eventually pay off once you start seeing real results. Stick to your plan!
Read More: Financial Tips For Young Adults
It will be tempting to break your budget every now and then, but it’s important to stay on track if you want to see real improvement in your life.
Now if you have reached this point and feel the calling to get your financial life in order but don’t know how, check out YNAB. It stands for You Need a Budget and is an amazing budgeting software.
I have personally used it for years now and love it. It is arguably the most important adulting tool that I possess today! With YNAB you get to take the mystery out of your finances and create a budget that works for you.
You can set goals and track your progress in real-time with the easy-to-use interface. I have literally survived undergrad, graduate school, and post-graduate life because of YNAB.
Read More: YNAB Is the Best Adulting Tool For The Money Conscious Adult
If interested, here is a 34-day free trial to YNAB. Just use the link here. They offer training courses to teach you how to use the software. If you are serious about getting your finances in order then give YNAB a try!
Why is it important to establish credit early?
One of the most crucial steps in achieving financial freedom is having a solid credit score. A high credit score will increase your chances of getting approved for loans or other lines of credit in the future.
The earlier you start establishing credit, the better your chances are of building a strong credit history that will serve you well for years to come. Here are three ways to build your credit early on in life:
1) Get a credit card
Apply for a credit card with a company that offers introductory rates or low ongoing fees. This will help you build credit without putting a big dent in your wallet. There are a ton of student credit cards out there that offer competitive interest rates and no annual fees.
The best place to start would be at your bank or credit union since they may have cards designed for students. Make sure not to use too much of your available credit or you may end up damaging your credit score.
And if you are thinking what the heck is available credit!? Check out this easy-to-follow credit card 101 crash course that I created.
2) Become an authorized user on your parents’ credit card.
When you become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account, you will see a benefit from that person’s good payment history. Now, they must already have a good credit history to be able to help you.
Otherwise, what is the point? It won’t necessarily help improve your credit by leaps and bounds but it will give you some added points over time.
Please note: This option does come with some risk since you will be taking on the debt of the person whose account you are on and their account will be reflected negatively in your report if the person has a bad payment history.
That being said, if the other person has good payment history, you will be able to reap the benefits of their credit history.
How to negotiate your salary as a recent graduate?
Negotiating for a higher salary is not only the right thing to do but it’s also one of the most important things you can do for yourself early on in your career. Here are a few simple strategies that you can use to maximize your negotiating power.
Strategy 1:
Do your research. Before going to your negotiation meeting, do your research and find out how much other people in the same position are getting paid by similar companies in your area.
You should also find out how much you are worth to your current employer and how much they are willing to offer to keep you on board. This will help you arrive at a dollar amount that is reasonable and appropriate for you to ask for during negotiations.
Strategy 2:
Prepare a list of questions you want to ask during your meeting. Asking the right questions will help you make the most out of the negotiation process so make sure that you get all of your questions answered during the meeting.
Make a list of these questions before you go to the negotiation meeting to make sure that you don’t forget anything important.
Strategy 3:
Be confident and prepared. This might seem like a no-brainer but confidence is one of the biggest keys to a successful negotiation session. You should walk into the meeting with a high level of confidence and a positive attitude. This will help make your case stronger and more confident when you present your case to your prospective employer.
When you go into the negotiation session with a certain level of confidence that increases your chances of getting a raise or making a new deal that will benefit both you and your employer.
Preparation is also important because it will help you avoid making costly mistakes during negotiations that can cost you money or your job.
Always be prepared with facts and figures so you can back up your arguments and defend your position effectively.
Strategy 4:
Practice makes perfect. The best way to prepare for a negotiation is to practice first using a role-play approach. This is where you sit down with a friend or colleague and practice negotiating on an actual job offer.
Try it out a few times until you feel comfortable and confident doing it on your own. This way you can be confident going into the actual negotiation knowing what to expect and how to best defend your position.
Strategic Approach 5:
Ask for everything you want and get comfortable with rejection. Set your expectations high and don’t settle for less than what you want. The worst that can happen is that you don’t get what you wanted so you have nothing to lose by asking for it.
Negotiations work best when both parties compromise and make mutually beneficial deals so this is your chance to ask for what you think you deserve and to feel good about it. It is also a good idea to ask for a counteroffer as well so you know where you stand in the negotiation and where to go from there.
Don’t go into negotiations with low expectations just to get a foot in the door with the company. If you know that you want a raise then just go ahead and ask for it! You never know what you might get if you just ask!
Putting It All Together
There is a lot that goes into the transition into adulthood. These are just a few of the unique questions and challenges you will face. The key is to approach each new challenge with confidence and a positive attitude. This will help you build confidence as you deal with each problem.
Regardless, recognize your growth from child to adult and be open to learning new things along the way.
Best of luck adulting!
And Remember,
Adulting Starts Here
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