When do we become adults? When is that magic moment when we look in the mirror and think, “It’s time to start acting like an adult”. Society tells us, being an adult starts on our 18th birthday, although many of us aren’t ready to step into our “big girl shoes” until long after that milestone.
Some societies mark the beginning of adulthood with special ceremonies. A girl in the Apache tribe is painted with a special herbal concoction and then is not allowed to touch or be touched for several days. During this time, even drinking water—which is done from a special ceremonial tube—becomes a challenge.
Aside from the government issued identification cards we carry with us when we turn 16, 18, and 21, no other special ceremony marks the beginning of time when we are required to handle our own problems.
Stepping into your senior stilettos is pretty simple. You can either find a mentor to help guide you through the major adult milestones, or you can follow these tips for entering the adult workforce and set yourself up in such a way that people will know you have your stuff together.
1. Find a job you love
Whether you go to college or not, there are a number of avenues to help get your foot in the door of the career you are aiming for. Get yourself a job that you can see yourself keeping, and set some realistic goals for yourself with regard to where you want to be in five, ten, and twenty years. Set the bar high, and work to improve yourself personally and professionally. You’ll find much more fulfillment in being able to create a professional identity for yourself as well as a personal life.
2. Start investing
No matter how much money you make, you are bound to need a little extra from time to time. Down payments on property, taxes, vehicle repairs–all of these things come up unexpectedly and must be dealt with. Rather than stressing out and having to draw from your monthly pot of gold, put some aside each month for a rainy day. Find a financial mentor or adviser who can help you put together a budget to ensure your money is well spent as well as saved. You’ll be glad you did.
3. Purchase insurance
We are talking about all types of insurance — medical, dental, life, accidental death, liability — you name it, it’s just smart business to cover yourself. Many insurance companies have package deals that offer comprehensive insurance coverage for a reduced fee; if you were to purchase insurance options separately, you might have to pay more. Experts at Medicare Wire recommend checking out different types of medical coverage that will be necessary for your retirement insurance needs. You might stop working at some point, but your needs for medical insurance will not stop. Shopping early and planning ahead will save you time and money in the long run.
4. Consider purchasing property
Purchasing property, no matter how small, is a good idea of building up equity and having assets attached to your name. Many women wonder what the point of owning a home is independently, but consider the cost of monthly rent. You are not building equity, you are not building value, and essentially you are throwing money away by doing so. Consider purchasing property to improve your credit score, to improve your asset situation, and to prove to yourself that you can do it on your own.
5. Write up a will
Life happens. Unexpected illnesses pops up. Car accidents happen. Tragedy strikes daily, and we honestly don’t know when it will happen to us. Regardless of how old you are, write a last will and testament to protect you, your assets, and your loved ones. Medical powers of attorney are important for when you cannot advocate for yourself, and you’ll want to ease the burden of making major decisions when your loved ones will be distraught at losing you. You may only be in your thirties, you may think these things are unlikely, but you need to protect yourself and your family should the unexpected happen.
While it isn’t always easy to bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood, it can be done successfully by following some simple bits of advice. If you’ve taken these simple steps, then you’re already on the right path to ensuring your adulthood is well-managed. Keep going, keep setting goals for yourself, and create a wonderful quality of life.
