If you could give any advice to someone in their early 30’s - what would it be?

[ForAquaMember]

Recently entered my 30’s and curious to know what advice you’d give to me

By now you should have been contributing for several years into a pension.
If you haven't already started, do it NOW!

If an opportunity ever comes up to work outside your own country -take it.

Yeah, pension for sure

And make sure you exercise and use sunscreen (and a good moisturiser)

And god yes- the pension one.

I did not do that, I am now 52 and have no pension to speak of. I do have another good financial option (I inherited a flat and rent it out) but that is literally my only security.

Pension pension pension.

Start a pension if you haven’t already

use sunscreen

I believe it’s law now to be opted into a company pension at 22 but yes I have been in one for over 10 years now!

100% this.

I’ve had opportunities with my current employer and grabbed with both hands and will do again.

If you want to start a family, don't assume you can leave it for another 5 or 10 years.

Another vote for pensions!
Sunscreen, night cream general body moisturising.
Learning about early signs of perimenopause just in case.
Cultivating your own hobbies and interests.
Travelling as much as possible, better still work abroad.
Be selective with relationships and friendships. Understand your own boundaries and desires and work on those.
Therapy! So many people I know in their 40's are going through it and sometimes it's too little too late. Think of therapy as a way of learning more about yourself, you don't need a crisis.

Save as much money as you can. Make sure you have a good work/life balance. If your grandparents are still around and you have a good relationship spend time with them.

If you haven’t yet started exercising regularly, start now.

Think sensibly about your diet!

It’s very easy to put on a couple of kg a year without really noticing. The classic middle aged spread.

Make solid contributions to your pension

Look at your career, do you want to do this for the next 30 years or should you retrain?

Avoid debt.

Don’t eat processed shit.

Always wear sunscreen.

This is all great advice, I’ll be taking on board!

Retinols! Stat.

If you want to have children, get going soon. You don’t know what your journey will be until you start trying

If you’re financially solvent and have assets, don’t get married. Think very carefully who you’re going to have children with.

Do things for your own enjoyment now while you have energy and choices. Pensions and diets are important but no guarantee of a healthy retirement to tackle your bucket list.

Sunscreen and hat.

Make the most of your parents, assuming you have nice ones, because when they go it can be quite a shock how much you miss them.

You are at your prime! Enjoy it. But it also means no more procrastination. Whatever is important to you, having a baby, retraining, going for promotion do it now if it's possible, or start on a 5 year plan to head in the right direction.

You are old enough now to know what you are good at, what you struggle with, what makes you stressed. Accept who you are. If you want to change something it can be done but start now, work on it slowly bit by bit.

Don't mess with your hair or fillers. Keep in touch with your friends.
Live somewhere you love. Location over property. You can make anywhere home if the location is right and the neighbours are nice. Love and appreciate your body as it is. Remember nobody has a perfect life.. don't let social media tell you otherwise!!

Never underestimate the power of compound interest. Save any amount of money that you can afford. Nothing beats financial security. Try to avoid any debt or credit cards (unless you can clear the latter each month)

Wear sunscreen on your face every day.

Make sure you start a family sooner rather than later if that is what you want.

Match friend's energy, don't people please.

Look after your health but not obsessively!

Looking at my crepey chest - moisture your decolletage and try not to sleep on your side.

Also don't get too comfy- if things are OK whole years can go by where nothing changes. OK can be well, OK, but you could be missing out on something even better.

Only have children with a good dad because the pain of seeing your children suffer because of their dad, the dad you chose, is the worst. Good dads are good men, good brothers, good sons, good friends. There will be signs.