What is the best piece of advice you've been given?

[pouracupofambition]

I'll start. If you don't know the answer say you'll come back to them. Don't be forced into a commitment. Applies to business and personal life.

What about you?

@cerisepanther73 she’s fab. It took me far too many years to realise that all her relationship advice was spot on. She laughed a lot when I told her this and pointed to the virtues of experience (both her own and second hand).

Only lend as much as you can afford to lose.

Only buy an item of clothing if you love it. Learned the hard way by having too many 'that'll do' items that I was never happy with.

Whilst you can and of course should be a friend to your child, there are times when you have to be the parent.

My current favourite, picked up off MN: never leave a room without doing at least 2 things to improve it. Doesn't have to be anything major - straighten the cushions or pick up something off the floor.

Listen more (like really listen) and talk less.

Focus on your own life, don't worry about what everyone else is doing.

It's nice to be flirted with, but a flirt makes a shit husband.

Always pay into a pension, however small.

You wont always be invited - and that's ok.

Trust your gut.

If I don't pick it up, nobody else will.

Life doesn't owe you a living.

Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.

A good dog is a tired dog.

Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance

And

Ensure you are always financially independent (as in make your own money)

Don't take criticism off someone you wouldn't go to for advice.

Fair does not mean equal when you're raising children (paraphrasing Carolyn Hax). Not given directly to me.

The waiting before making a purchase is a good one. My dad always said if you still really like it in 2 weeks, get it then. Whether big or small, the companies know people buy more when they feel stressed about the purchase and try to coax you in with 'limited time offers' and a lot of money is wasted that way.

If you don't like a situation, walk away from it. Obviously doesn't apply to certain things like having kids but that's something you should be prepared for mentally beforehand really.

Sleep with all the bad boys, but marry a good one.

Well that advice would have worked until about 20 years ago in the South East.

Where I live most young people entering the workforce haven't had a chance of owning property for decades.

In the last couple of years though their chances of even being able to rent is under threat, where a two bedroom apartment costs £1600 per month...

As I said in the post, it was 1972 so very different than today but it was very good advice for me which was what the OP was asking.

By an old manager of mine.

Never make yourself irreplaceable.

A borrower nor a leader be! I've lived my life by this, money complicates friendships and relationships.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your big mouth shut.
Also...
Don't overshare... Most people don't care anyway...

A trouble shared is a trouble doubled.

Trust your gut when it comes to your kids- if you feel there's something wrong, there is.

This saved my dds life when she was a baby.

Remember how you got him as that's exactly how you will loose him

Always ask yourself:
Is the juice worth the squeeze

Never explain, never complain

I've recently started to use this royal mantra - for want of a better work.

It's never failed me yet!

I don't know is an acceptable answer- took me ages to learn this, that I didn't need to solve people's problems for them.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be
treat people as you want to be treated yourself.

my manager- there is no I in team

A previous LM used to say that to me.
And (just to wind him up), I always said: Yes, Bob, but there is a 'me'.

To work out if a person is good or bad, don't listen too much to what they say (possible virtue signalling). Look at what they do, and what they don't do.

Treat every minute as if it’s is the first minute of your life and every day as if it is the first day of your life.
I used to be a dreadful worrier. As soon as I left a conversation, I would go over and over it in my head. I would go back of things that happened ages ago.

Now I know that I cannot change anything that is done or said in the past. As soon as I worry I just tell my self ‘first day’

you've got to get under someone to get over someone

Empty the bin before it needs it

Never leave a room empty handed