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21 Real World Survival Tactics For All College Grads
my21tips.com — It can be spooky out there in the "real world." Well, maybe not that scary, but here's some good practical information, guaranteed to be better than the advice your creepy neighbor gave you.
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- rearlgrant, on 07/11/2008, -1/+14I'd nix 6 -- see 10. Living with my parents after college was a mistake...
- troopa, on 07/12/2008, -0/+2Yeah, it all depends on who your parents are and what your finances are like.
- BennyGreenberg, on 07/11/2008, -1/+10Solid Advice. Don't be the "new tech" kid on the block will help you too. You do not have to have every high-tech gadget that comes out - well you want to - but it will wipe you dry!
- lmbb20, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Good call. Do what I did throughout college as well and live 1-2 generations behind "the latest" and you will save big dividends on the overprice of new retail. Also, early adoption doesn't pay... many times there is a flaw that isn't fixed until the next generation comes out.
- TechMike, on 07/11/2008, -1/+10Good list. One exception on #4 - if happy hour includes free food, buy one beer (or a soft drink) and nurse it until you're full and can go home -is this the #15 (keep living like a student)?. Supplements one of your five at home meals (#18)
- zjarmon, on 07/11/2008, -1/+8So true and my favorite is the Craigslist tip although it is true throughout your whole life!
- Michiko280, on 07/11/2008, -1/+8Graduation money? Why do I feel like I won't be getting any of that ... :(
- Michiko280, on 07/11/2008, -1/+11I like number 21... "21. Never Stop Dreaming"
- reed77, on 07/12/2008, -0/+2That was my favorite too.
- tehknotte, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1lol it would be funny if the link at the end of 21 led to a Nigerian site
- akpwnz, on 07/12/2008, -1/+8I still need to work on #4 and I'm not in college anymore :/
- Carbonlord, on 07/12/2008, -7/+1I dugg yours 12 hours ago, before you asked me 5x's already.
- Carbonlord, on 07/12/2008, -0/+3Sorry, Bro, this was a misclick for someone else. Not this post.
- BrookeGill9, on 07/12/2008, -2/+4ill hang this on my wall
- aliweb, on 07/12/2008, -0/+3nice one!
- Feep, on 07/12/2008, -7/+2An article and comments that prove Digg is currently broken.
- troopa, on 07/12/2008, -0/+2Would you prefer some more articles about Wii and Obama?
- analogkid01, on 07/12/2008, -1/+2Plastics.
- majortom1981, on 07/12/2008, -0/+3About the new car thing. Depends on what kind of car you want. Used Corollas and civics that are farely new are only like $1000 cheaper then a new one so it might pay to just buy new.
- troopa, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1True, and that's why my friend just bought a brand new '09 Corolla. I drive a '97 Subaru. Runs very well and I paid less than $3,000.
- AchaIemoipas, on 07/12/2008, -1/+1Number 5 is wrong. If your job is terrible and you stick to it you'll end up hating your career path.
It all depends on availability. If it took you 3-4 months to find a single job and you can't find anything, stick to it. If there are other similar jobs out there, get hired before quitting. Who gives a ***** about the old one? You have a job now.
Then stick to that one.
Great list otherwise.- RabeiUsura, on 07/12/2008, -0/+0You are right, if you are good on what you do, changing jobs once a year with it's respective pay raise (is easier to obtain by switching than staying) is a great way to climb up the ladder of life.
The only reasons to stick to you job are:
1.- You suck and no one would hire you.
2.- You are earing the max in the market for you current TIER, in this case stick to it until you win a promotion, then try to switch after a year (if you don;t get a promotion then we are looking at number 1). - Synchro, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Who says your first job out of school has to be the first part of your "career path". Perhaps you just need the money and someplace to work for now. It depends on what someone's goals and priorities are. Not everyone wants to climb the ladder. I know a lot of people that are fine with making just a little bit of money at a part time gig to pay the bills and live, but pursue what their real passion the other hours of the week.
- RabeiUsura, on 07/12/2008, -0/+0You are right, if you are good on what you do, changing jobs once a year with it's respective pay raise (is easier to obtain by switching than staying) is a great way to climb up the ladder of life.
- TheMachine1, on 07/12/2008, -1/+5"3. Do Rent From Your Parents"
I saw the same thing on a list of ways to not get laid. - DangerCollie, on 07/12/2008, -0/+4Really good advice. I'd add a couple.
Don't be in a hurry to get a dog or get married, they're both very limiting. The latter is also very expensive.
Get a passport and keep it current. That way if an overseas travel opportunity presents itself, you won't have to miss out because you don't have one.
I'd argue with the happy hour advice. Most of them have free food and if you tell the bartender you're the designated driver, you'll get free soda. - platinumrod, on 07/12/2008, -0/+6Coke is not cheap, and the last time I asked my dealer, there are no free refills.
- KineticShampoo, on 07/12/2008, -1/+2Hey they gave 21 tips and website it called "21 Tips". O_O Anyone else notice this?
- sneezy555, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1/sarcasm?
- troopa, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Brilliant observation, my dear Watson.
- whackaxe, on 07/12/2008, -1/+1well it's nice to know you figuerd out life for us. Hell I should be set until my mid life crisis now!
- Browncoat, on 07/12/2008, -0/+2most of that is really just common sense.
- SliWoady, on 07/12/2008, -0/+3incredibly*
- pjpark, on 07/12/2008, -1/+31. If you can afford a new car, buy one. You're paying for reliability and a warranty. Depreciation only matters if you plan on selling it or trading it in on a new car in a couple of years -- which you should not do. Keep it until it dies.
2. Don't save your graduation money. Use it to travel abroad or do something worth remembering. It may be a long time before you get the opportunity again.
3. Committing to your first job may or may not be the right strategy for you. You may need something right now to pay the bills and it is easier to find a new job when you already have one.
4. Moving is expensive and can be a real hassle, and your salary in your first few years of employment should go up rather quickly. Whether you spend half your income on rent is up to you. Just weigh the risks and benefits of getting a cheap "starter" apartment and getting something that you can live with for a while. If you live in an area where home prices are not astronomical, then definitely get the cheapest apartment you can find and move up to a house as soon as you can. - hamobu, on 07/12/2008, -1/+4Living with your parents can be a pain, but on the other hand it is better to pay rent to your parents than to some stranger. Keep the money in the family. There is no telling how many times my family helped me in a big way, and I help them too. My family is a source of strength and pride. Family unity seems to be something that we as a society lost when we moved from farms and inner cities into suburbs.
With cars, if you buy used car, than the seller know more about the car than you and there is asymmetric information. Therefore when buying a used car, there is a risk that you are buying a defect that seller knows about and you don't. Lemon law only protects you for a month or so. This is the reason why used cars are much cheaper than new cars. It is a trade-off and not a bargain.
Finally the "real world" is nothing like you are expecting and nothing like people tell you it is. It is different in an unexpected ways and it is different for every person. It is not as scary and menacing as it sounds, but you will have to see for yourself. - t4stringer, on 07/12/2008, -0/+2I'll have to keep these tips in mind haha
- DocKC, on 07/13/2008, -0/+2The real world can certainly be scary...for ANY age!
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