Think of Money as a Result, Not a Goal…
It’s natural to want to live comfortably later on, but according to several of the Quora responders, the best way to attain this goal isn’t to focus on money itself. “Don’t stress about money. It will come,” summarizes copywriter Patrick Gant.
So what should you focus on instead? Finding what you like to do and getting good at it. “You don’t have many responsibilities during your 20s and can take risks,” writes Agarwal. “So follow your passion–don’t get tempted by short-term gains. If you want to do a Ph.D., don’t get attracted toward the huge job package. First, find your passion.” (Though, don’t think you have to absolutely adore your job–“Only 0.1% of people have a dream job,” cautions another responder.)
…But Save
Money shouldn’t be your primary motivator, but nearly everyone who responded agreed that you should still focus on sensible financial planning, especially setting away a rainy-day fund to cushion you when you hit inevitable bumps in the road. “Start saving,” advises Drew Eckhardt, a systems software engineer. “Set aside six to 12 months of living expenses. You don’t want to panic or change your lifestyle if something bad happens like injury, sickness, or job loss.”
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