The Young Adult's Guide to The Galaxy - The Young Adult's Textbook

By S.M. Mitchell

For many people who turn eighteen, they see the world as their oyster, filled with opportunities and excitement. Nowadays, becoming eighteen feels like a death sentence to those feeling unprepared for the responsibilities of adulthood. This book works as the textbook for things you were never taught in school, things you wished you were able to learn earlier. From taxes to military service, this book will provide some answers to questions you may have about what to do now that you are a young adult.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.M. Mitchell
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201565435

Book preview

Introduction

While raising my son and guiding him through the confusing phase of young adulthood, I have tried to teach him as much as possible.  I want to give him a head-start in life, in the hopes that he will make better and wiser decisions. It’s not that I have made numerous poor choices throughout life, because I haven’t, but there were definitely some things that I could have done much better (e.g.  I would probably have several thousand more dollars in my bank account right now if I had been a bit wiser in some areas).    

While sitting down one night, I thought ... Why not write a book about the things that I have taught my son and would like to teach him?  Maybe it could help someone else who is struggling with the first big decisions of their lives.  Maybe it could help guide someone when they’re feeling overwhelmed. 

First and foremost, I want to emphasize the importance of getting and staying healthy.  Life will throw a myriad of things at you, and although health and fitness cannot protect you against everything, being mentally and physically healthy will help you get through these trials much easier.  You’ll also live a more fulfilling life, able to do and enjoy more, without the hindrances associated with poor mental and physical health.  Keep active and eat as healthy as possible.  Find what works for you and makes you happy, and stick with it. 

Throughout the remainder of the book, I will discuss some basic information about finances, college, military service, job hunting, and whether to buy or rent a home.  I’ll be using my life experience and some of my professional experience as a financial analyst.  I will try not to get too detailed with some aspects of the lessons, as each individual is different and their current situations vary immensely. However, my advice and guidance should help you get a solid footing into adulthood. 

Finances

Budgeting

Finances, mainly poor financial decisions, are what trip most young people up.  Making poor financial decisions can cause problems that will take years and years to fix.  Having good credit and living within your means is vital to the start of a successful, and less stressful, life. 

The first part of any discussion of finances is building a budget.  To some, this may seem to be common sense, but it is harder for some.  In today’s economy, it’s even more important to watch what you have coming in and what you have going out.  Wages have remained quite stagnant for over two decades, while the cost of everything (e.g. rent, groceries, utilities) has increased.  Here’s an example:

In about 2008 I came back to the US after a three-year