What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Tell Old Mutual Wealth for a chance to win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

Old Mutual Wealth has asked us to find out the best pieces of advice Mumsnetters have ever been given.

Here’s what they say, “Old Mutual Wealth is a big advocate of advice. In life and in financial matters, the guidance of someone you trust can make the difference between failure and success.”

So, what’s the best piece of advice someone's given you? Maybe someone has shared a genuinely life changing tip? Perhaps they passed on the secret on how to get your kids to clean their room/go to sleep/eat their greens. We’d also, more specifically, like to hear about the best financial piece of advice you’ve ever received. Whether it’s on how to save? Or maybe on what to do with your savings? Whatever they are, we’d love to hear them!

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Use a mortgage broker - simple but true

I live by the mantra, "What will be will be." It's saw me through lots of tough times and made me believe in myself.

My dad has only ever given me two pieces of advice, and I have never forgotten them:

1. Buy bonds
2. If you ever get chased by a bear, can't escape and are attacked, curl in ball -protect your vital organs.

Thanks dad, it's been invaluable!

"Babies can't read" from my Mum, when a little overwhelmed by parenting advice

Don't sweat the small stuff

Live every day like it's your last

It's easier to seek forgiveness than permission.

That might sound kind of irresponsible, but for me it has been great advice. I'm the kind of person who dithers a bit about making a courageous decisions...especially at work, so this has helped me be a bit braver.

As for financial advice, I really can't remember having any! Hmmm, maybe that's the problem!!

My nana always said, re money "Never be a borrower or a lender". I have pretty much stuck to that, except with having a mortgage, and am very cautious with money anyway by nature.

Treat others like you'd like to be treated

My mum always tells me to breathe... like take time out to take in deep breaths. Relax the body and mind. I try to do it twice a day and it actually feels good...!

A friend once told me - if your boyfriend/lover/partner makes you happy more than half the time, then great. But if the bad times outweigh the good times, then it's just not worth it!

Never stop holding hands.

Sounds a bit contrite but it's worked for us. It's a daily physical connection which even if he's being an annoying bugger means we still appreciate each other and in my mind show each other that the love is still there.

DHs grandma gave us that piece of advice and her second most valuable advice was that the best thing you can do for your child is teach them respect, manners and independence. Being their friend comes second to being their parent.

My grandfather told me that kindness and a smile don't cost anything. He was always so kind, warm and radiated happiness.

This too shall pass.

Never get into a pissing contest with a skunk.

Save 10% of your salary each month...or at least give it a bloody good try.

And although I'm not a fan of her book - Sheryl Sandberg's 'Done is better than perfect' mantra comes in pretty handy sometimes...

My nan used to say:
Money lost - nothing lost
Honour lost - much lost
Courage lost - all lost.

The strongest part of a woman's body is the bony bit of the hand where it joins the wrist. In a dark alley and whacked across a jaw, that might just save your life. People automatically try and punch or slap an aggressor, but you need to turn your hand backwards.

Before you speak, THINK -
T - is it True
H - is it Helpful
I - will it Inspire confidence
N - is it Necessary
K - Is it Kind

From an agent: "Just write the bloody novel."

Will you really be angry about this in three months time? If not, then it is not worth stressing so much about it now. They can phrase it much better than I can but it has helped offer some perspective when I have none.

My mum always advised me to put a bit of money away, no matter how low my income was. Even when I've been at rock bottom I've always managed to squirrel something away, and those savings have come up trumps on more than one occasion.

Mine is "failing to prepare is preparing to fail" - applies to all walks of life

Best bit of parenting advice; grow a thick skin!
It's so true, everyone has different views and sometimes you will be 'wrong' just do what you believe is best x

In times of great shock or domestic disasters keep doing what you always do rather than knee jerk reacting with major changes.

Get on the property ladder as soon as possible, and clear the mortgage as quickly as you can.

The best piece of financial advice I ever received came from Monica's dad in Friends. Yes, I know, he was not exactly a qualified IFA, but he told her, "Always save 10% of your income each month, then you'll never be stuck".

I have done this now for years and the financial cushion it's created has saved me several times.