By Lewis R.
By the time you graduate high school, you’ll have all kinds of knowledge, like about Shakespeare’s plays and the pythagorean theorem. But some things aren’t taught in school, even though they should be. Here are 7 things you should know how to do by the time you hit 20.
- Apply for a Loan
The time may come when you need a new car, and unfortunately, when you are young you may not have had enough time to save up for one. Getting a loan can sound pretty daunting, but getting an online auto loan pre approval can make it a little less scary. Getting a loan this way also means you don’t have to wait around; you can find out within minutes if you are approved.
- Make a Budget
You may think you don’t make enough money to bother with a budget, but people who don’t have a lot of money are the ones who need a budget the most!
Include the bills with a set amount, such as gas and electric. Then list the other bills you have that can vary every month, such as credit card payments and cash for fun. Writing out a budget helps you to see exactly how much you are spending, which can help you see where you can cut out some unnecessary expenses. It’s also just a good habit to get into for when you do get that high paying job.
If you’re not a paper and pencil kind of person, not to worry – there are plenty of budgeting apps to choose from.
- Go to the Grocery Store
Once you have a budget, you should have a set limit on how much you spend at the grocery store. It certainly isn’t easy to stay within that limit, but that’s why this is on the list of things to learn about!
It may come as a shock the first time you head out to the store on your own, with your own money, thinking that you’ll be getting fillet mignon but coming home with some noodles and tomato paste. You never realize how much groceries cost when your parents are paying for them. Keep in mind that coupons and store brands may help when you’re trying to stick to that budget.
- Do a Load of Laundry
This seems deceptively simple. What could be so hard about throwing clothes into a machine and turning it on? Of course it’s not that easy at first, but with some expert tips you’ll soon be washing and drying (and even ironing) like a pro.
- Balance a Checkbook
It’s important to know how to balance a checkbook not just so you know how much money you have to spend, but also so you know your bank is taking good care of your money. If they make a huge mistake (or if someone has hacked your account) you’d want to know right away, right? And nowadays keeping track of your money is easier than ever; you can use a banking app on your phone.
- Write a Resume
Before you can get that high paying job, you’ll need an awesome resume. Learn how to do it right at first and it will save you a lot of time and trouble later.
- Save
When you’re not even 20, it is hard to believe you’ll ever have any kind of an emergency. What could go wrong? Just in case, get in the habit of putting money into savings when you get your paycheck. It doesn’t even have to be a lot at first – even $50 a month will eventually add up to a nest egg that can help when you need it the most.
High school is great, but some skills fall through the cracks. Make sure you’re ready for life after you graduate high school by learning some real-life skills that will serve you well throughout the years.