Use birth control. (Though not speaking from personal mistakes, just firsthand observations.)
Be yourself; everyone worth knowing can sniff out fakers (including employers), but you’re fine the way you are.
I’ll echo the “don’t get into debt” advice. It’s not just crippling financially, it’s also psychologically crippling; the overwhelming guilt when you buy something that isn’t a necessity can be amazing. It’s been years for me and I still appreciate that free and clear conscience when I buy a book.
Most of your co-workers and friends spend way, way beyond their means. Don’t emulate them.
That’s a really, REALLY good point - if everyone seems to be doing better than you are, and having nicer things, and taking better vacations, etc., chances are they’re putting a lot of it on credit. You’ve got decades worth of living and accumulating to do; you can take a year or two to save up and buy yourself nice things with real money.
If a random guy is trying to fuck you and won’t stop when you tell him, don’t stop telling him because you feel bad that you might hurt his feelings! You’ll fuck up your entire life and lose the only man you’ve ever loved.
If you’re ever visiting or on a farm where cows are kept and you see these metal, rake-like things above each of them when they’re in their stalls…? Don’t touch 'em.
Fear the beer goggles. If you’re on a bender and this hot chick is showing interest in you there is nearly a 100% chance that in reality she is far from hot and in the morning you will hate yourself.
If your (adult) boyfriend will defy his parents to date/sleep with you but won’t defy his parents to marry you, dump that mama’s boy and run for the hills.
The best advice I’ve ever gotten is to not be afraid of change. If you’re not happy where you are, it’s worth taking the chance on making a change in your life and trying something new.
It’s better to have good friends than cool friends.
The best advice I’ve ever heard if you’re wondering if your SO is “The One”: Ask yourself if you would still marry this person if it turned out that you could never, ever have children together. If the answer’s yes, that’s a good sign. It’ll help keep you from settling just because your biological clock’s ticking.
Yes, and buying him gifts or giving him money won’t make him love you, won’t make him stay with you, won’t even make him like you.
I’m sorry, but one has only to watch the American Idol auditions to know that this isn’t always true. Some people love to sing, desperately want to be singers, and just can’t sing.
I would suggest watching a couple of weeks of “Judge Judy” as a requirement for everyone thinking of doing business with, loaning money to, or co-signing loans with friends and/or family. If you say no to your family or friends, they might be mad at you, but it’s not going to end up in court.
