What are your biggest early 20s regrets?

[DanielJames]

Trying to sleep tonight and my brain is playing the "did I do everything right" game

Cliffs:
22 year old
Windows Engineer (30k pa)
2 cars I like
GF for 3 years
Still live at home

What I'm asking myself is why I haven't sold the cars, ditched the GF before
It gets too serious and get a flat/apartment near work (Sheffield)

Or should I move to London?

Or California?

Hmm

[DanielJames]

B17NNS said:

Does your girlfriend know you post here?

Nope.

[DanielJames]

conanius said:

I'm reading that and life looks good for you from where I stand. Confused.

Maybe I'll feel better in the morning.

Counselling? Thats why I'm posting isn't it.

[DanielJames]

Joey Deacon said:

Looks pretty good so far. If I was you I would be trying my hardest to save a deposit and buy a property (in your name only, not with the girlfriend). If you are happy living at home then you could always just rent it out.

If I could go back in time to when I was 22 I would do the following :

Not get finance for cars or any credit cards.
Save as much as I could and buy a property as soon as possible.
Go travelling.
Not get married and not have kids.

Points 2 and 3 are quite conflicting lol.

Still can't get no rest 😓

[DanielJames]

BrownBottle said:

Regrets, I've had a few.

But then again, too few to mention.

At least you'll always have grammar.

[DanielJames]

Baryonyx said:

Sounds like you need to grip, in fairness. There are plenty worse off than you out there getting on with it, so get on and get on with it.

Maybe now would be the ideal time to stop riding mum and dad's coattails and get your own place. Book an appointment with a mortgage advisor tomorrow and have a look at a few properties. The sooner you get your foot on that ladder and start living in the man's world, the better. You're earning a reasonable amount, but it's easily frittered away, so make sure you're making it work for you.

That's a bit bitey and presumptuous!

By the way I was in the London National History Museum the other day and had a weird Pistonheads moment when I discovered what a Baryonyx was and thought hey, that's not a Baryonyx, he's a guy on Pistonheads.

The main reason I haven't moved out is quite simple, I don't think I want to live in the area I grew up, but I don't know where else I'd like to go - yet. I was thinking a year or two experience in my previous role and I'd have been able to go contracting and play the contract location game, simply following IT contracts around the country/world. Unfortunately I lost my previous job which was quite high up in IT Service Management and didn't have the experience to get back into a similar job.

Anyway long story short I still want to do the above, but as I've had to retrain slightly I don't have the experience to get into the contracts just yet.

I only got 3 hours sleep last night, pretty knackered! Thanks for the replies thus far.

[DanielJames]

STW2010 said:

DanielJames said:

Windows Engineer

Another 'engineer' then?

That's what my job title says. I'm more of a management guy at heart, but got offered this job and it was hard to turn down. I do enjoy it to be honest.

[DanielJames]

Justin Case said:

You are 22 and single, enjoy life. If you like your job keep it for now, and if you get on well with your GF stay with her, she might well be the one. Whatever you do don't buy a flat, at your stage of life it will just be a millstone and prevent you from taking up opportunities that may take you away. If you want to flee the nest, then rent; it's more flexible.

Good advice, I've had a quick look on rightmove this morning for ideas. Doesn't seem that I can rent a decent flat for any less than 700PCM, without parking.

Think I'd rather get throttle bodies for my DC2

[DanielJames]

lukefreeman said:

Not snorting enough Charlie.

Not enough Hookers.

Always avoided the party life. Maybe that is whats missing. Meeting up with school friends at the weekend though so anything could happen.

[DanielJames]

lewisf182 said:

£30k at 22? What are you complaining about lol. If the work life balance is good that sounds like a fantastic career.

Sounds like you need a slight change of scenery, a flat purchase/renting a place will provide something a bit different while not upsetting the nest too much I'da thought?

Sell both cars and buy something more special IMO. Give you something new to enjoy.

Haven't seen your Integra around sheffield, where is it you work?

I work at the BT building right in the centre mate. I commute at either 630am or 630pm though so maybe you wont see me, but keep an eye out!

I've only just got the DC5 - it's a very special car to me. On the car side of things I'm more than happy. Was just bloody fed up last night. I was having a good day until I failed at the gym doing squats (7th rep got the better of me and I went down with the bar)

[DanielJames]

Steve7777 said:

I wouldn't move out of your parents in Sheffield just to get a flat in Sheffield. My biggest regret is I didn't start moving countries earlier. It sounds like you could do your job pretty much anywhere so if you can find a company to sponsor a move to California definitely do that. You could be 22 with a decent job in California, a Mustang in your garage and Tinder on your phone. What are you waiting for?

Sounds fairly ideal that does.

[DanielJames]

Quite a lot of similarity in these posts - not taking opportunity.

So, who took the opportunity and was massively let down by it?

[DanielJames]

lewisf182 said:

Sorry, sounded like I was belittling your car there... Didn't know you had a DC5 either thought it was a DC2. I meant special as in a Lotus Elise kind of car, something which is only really practicable without kids unless you have loads of other cars etc.

Will keep an eye out! have moved to Leeds now though but I'm back now and then. You won't notice me as it just looks like a 1 series unless your viewing from behind.

I've got both the DC2 and the DC5 now. Never really been a fan of the Elise, mainly after being quite a lot faster than them on track

I know what you're saying though. My DC2 is a track car with no interior etc bar a steering wheel, bucket seats and harness, so it's probably similar to one of the cars you're describing.

Anyway on topic, been offered a new job today, same position but for our sister company. Quite a new company, and lots of exciting stuff going on with their growth. Might be the change I was looking for, will see! Also got invited to an interview for something else in Bradford - been quite an odd day on the job front. I don't fancy going near Bradford though mainly due to the horrible commute I'd have to endure.

[DanielJames]

... and if I don't take it I might be posting here in a few years saying "I should have took that job!"