Advice for the Graduates

Another high school graduation is almost upon us so perhaps you'd like to take this opportunity to share some wisdom learned during the years AFTER diplomas are presented and hugs and tears are shared.

This is the 13th year since my own high school graduation and although it seems like ages ago, sometimes I have a hard time remembering that I'm now an adult and in my 30s! lol. How funny and how quickly time passes.

Okay, here are some of my own life experiences and bits of wisdom that I'll pass on. Please feel free to add your own. Or, if you are one of the privileged who are graduating in the next couple of weeks "CONGRATULATIONS." Perhaps you'd also like to contribute some thoughts or have some big question on life that you need help with!

1. Don't run up a bunch of credit cards. Hard lesson learned (twice now). Pick one or two good cards with a low interest rate and stick with them. Don't fall for all those department store cards and gimmicks. Your credit score is IMPORTANT. Don't ruin it early on.

2. It's HARD to maintain your high school friendships after graduation. Between families and work and working overtime, there's not too many hours in the day left to hang out like old times. You gotta really work at it and make time to get in touch (or hope your friends make the time to call you!).

3. Work isn't everything. Don't stick with a dead-end job that you are not happy with. Life is too short and you spend too much time at work anyway. If you are not happy and not making the money you thought you would ... move on! That is one of the best (although hardest) decisions I ever had to make.

4. Keep a balanced checkbook. For most of us, money is tight. I'm pretty good with my checkbook these days (finally!) but for a while there, I'd be crossing my fingers that a check wouldn't get to my bank before I could get the funds in there. Once you have bounced four or five checks at a time, you'll learn this lesson the hard way. Bank fees add up FAST!

5. Don't visit a car lot and buy a new car in the same day. Another tough lesson learned. I had a car that had an oil leak in it. Just for the heck of it, I stopped at a car dealership in Savannah on a Sunday afternoon and before I knew what happened, I was driving a new car home that night! Loved the car but I hadn't really looked at my budget good before I'd jumped into that! Needless to say, a few months later the car wasn't mine anymore.

Okay, so I realize that many of my thoughts have to do with money issues. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that you just gotta have to get by with. But, again, I surely believe that money isn't everything. It doesn't buy you happiness or love, as the song goes. Be good to the people closest in your lives, maintain a positive attitude and outlook, and take time to enjoy the life around you. Do your part to make the world a better place.