yeah...my kids are awesome. when they are gone (out of the house) I don't know what I'll do, but I'll have my awesome wife to do it with.
huh huh huh...he said do it.
get married. have kids. be a dad. be a good one. it's the greatest thing you'll ever do. and when you're old you won't be alone.

eh, ya got me by a few months... :cuss:

...honor your mom and dad. not just in the way you treat them, but in how you live your life.
...be honest and trustworthy. the only thing you truly own is your word.
...if you get married, LOVE your wife...don't try to fix her problems.
...if you have kids, be their parent when they are young, so they will be your friend later.
...be good to people...you''l find out that most are aquaintances, and only a handful become friends..
...work hard. work honest. pay before you play.
...don't get caught up in the past, nor the future.
...serve others...sometimes this is just a smile or encouraging word.
...DO NOT live out of your means..making more money doesn't always have to mean a bigger and better house, car etc.
...you are not what you own. who you are is more importnant than what you are..
...do not let others define who you are...be comfortable in your own skin.
..if you can't afford it...save for it...DO NOT get into debt.
...take care of yourself...someday, it can and will catch up to you.
...SAVE SAVE SAVE...you'll be surprised how fast it accumulates.
..lightening does strike, but you gotta run out in the rainstorm with a rod in your hand. IOW, take risks and believe in yourself.
...never stop learning to learn.

bonus....watch out for planes breaking apart in mid air. those are a bitch.

If you havent already, start a savings account that it would take a guy with a gun to your head to get you to break into it, before you pay a single bill, pay yourself.

Find a job you enjoy.

Work hard. Be smart with your money, but don't be afraid to blow some. We never know which day will be our last. If there are people in your life that you love deeply....tell them...and show them. Spread some money around to your fellow Planeteers :)

Never EVER come back from Juarez telling the Drill Sergeant about the transvestite you were unknowingly making out with.
No, not really a personal experience, I was just in the formation the Drill Sergeant called at 0100 hours to blab it to the entire company.

God is great
Beer is good
People are crazy

Live fast, die young.

Caveat: I'm just about to turn 30. But there are some things I'd do differently if I could wind the clock back five years.

Save, save, save. You can NEVER save, dollar for dollar, like you can from age 25-30. Especially if you're single with no kids and no significant debts.

Enjoy yourself. Don't stress too much about "the plan."

Don't worry too much about your opportunities at your current job. Focus more on the opportunities you will create for yourself, period.

Take every bit of training and opportunity your job will throw your way. Nothing is too small or insignificant. Case in point: when I was 25, I was asked to learn something at the sports mag I worked for that I absolutely hated with a passion. That ended up being a key skill set that set me on the path to the awesome job I have at United Health Group now.

Be willing to change your expectations as life changes around you. If you want to get married at 27 and don't meet the girl, wait. If you DON'T want to get married until you're 30 but meet the girl, don't wait.

You've got a lot in front of you. 25-30 have easily been the best years of my life so far. Even better than the college years. Enjoy them. The time will pass more quickly than you can imagine.

Ah **** I messed up lol

The first time your women asks you 'Do these pants make me look fat?', just say 'Yes it does'. She will never ask you that stupid question again.

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Heh. The Al Bundy variation is even better, but it can be hazardous to your health..... :$2500:

"It's not the dress that makes you look fat. It's the FAT that makes you look fat!"

This 1000x's over, always buy high and sell low.

Travel

Holy shit, you guys really came out and represented.

There's some incredible stuff in here, guys, and I plan on glancing at this thread many times over in the next couple years.

Seriously; thanks for all the heartfelt advice and anecdotes.