Welcome to the Good Money Podcast where we help you create a plan for your money so you're

confident and in control of your future. On today's show, we're digging into a very interesting

question. What would you tell your 18-year-old self about money? I'm 53 years old right now and

I've learned so much that I wish I could go back and tell my 18-year-old self,

here's what to do and more importantly, here's what not to do. You know, I was a senior in high

school at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas. I was working at a local grocery store and

really my biggest concern was where was I going to go to college and how could I continue to put

enough money in my bank account to make my car payment and have a little bit of fun with friends.

You know, here's what I would tell my 18-year-old self. Number one, be you. You know,

here pressure at age 18 is so strong. Back in those days, I would joke, if I woke up and there

was a new pimple on my face, my day was ruined. Many of you can relate to that or if I didn't have

the newest shoes or the coolest shirt or didn't have the latest in fashion, I could compare myself to

other people so easily and we know that comparison is the thief of joy. So I thought graduating

high school, the peer pressure went away. Oh no, no, no. Here pressure at age 53 is so great. It just

looks a lot different. See if you can relate to this. You're at a dinner party, you're with some

friends and suddenly the comparison game comes up and now it's about our kids. So my son or daughter

goes to this college or they're in this school or they're at this job. Well, suddenly now the chips

you're bargaining with are your kids occupations where you live, what you drive, your job and it's so

easy to compare yourself again. And I just want to encourage all of you listening right now, whether

you're 18 listening or you're 53 or older, be you and be the best version of you that you can be.

So three things I would tell my 18 year old self. Number one, be you. Number two, know what you

want. And if you don't, don't settle for what someone else tells you you should want. You know,

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