Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

[email protected]

Under 30:

1. Not Investing Early: Missing out on the power of compound interest by delaying retirement savings or other long-term investments.

If you are 25 and you invest $12 a day into an account reaping basically between 6-8% return you will have a million dollars by the time you retire. That is only $360 a month. That is nothing… if you think its a lot add up how much you spend at the convenience store, on clothes you don’t wear, on tickets, on junk food and fast food and maybe even online gambling or girls… its peanuts.

2. Staying in Unfulfilling Jobs/Careers: Remaining in a job or industry solely for the paycheck, without pursuing opportunities that align with their passions or offer growth, leading to stagnation.

Here is a secret. There is someone out there willing to pay you for what you want to do if you are good at it. You want to just play guitar all day? Learn to read music, join a musicians union, hang out with other musicians and producers… it is not that hard. You may not make millions, but you will earn a living doing what you love. I have quite a few friends who do it full time and part time and make decent money.

3. Prioritizing Work Over Relationships: Sacrificing personal connections, family time, and mental well-being for career advancement, leading to regret and strained relationships later.

I know you are under 30… you have a lifetime ahead of you… but actually you are just about in midlife. If you live to 75 you are only a few years out from reaching that half way mark.. and trust me the next 35 will fly buy 3 times as fast! So focus on relationships.. your parents, your spouse, your brothers and sisters, your childhood friends, men at church etc… make that a solid priority!

4. Failing to Address Mental Health: Ignoring or suppressing mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, due to societal pressures or a "man up" mentality, preventing them from seeking necessary help.

Look its no secret that a lot and I mean most of 30 and under came from dysfunctional families. From No dads to 4 dads… It can cause a lot of stress, mental baggage and a lack of skill in dealing with it. The internet, phone and social media pressure does not help. One of the greatest manly things you can do is go in for counseling and mental health screenings. Get the help you need and don’t ever be embarrassed about it. You would not be embarrassed by going in for a broken arm… mental health is no different. And you are truly doing if for your current or future family.

5. Making Major Financial Commitments Without a Plan: Taking on significant debt (e.g., for an expensive car or a house they can barely afford) without a solid financial foundation or emergency fund.

Nothing wrong with buying a new car… but that doesn’t mean it has to be the brand-new or the best or even middle of the road. My car is 25 years old with 200,000 miles on it…and that car has not had a payment for 22 years.

If you are going to purchase a house, car of boat or motorcycle… talk to a legit financial counselor. You might be surprised at how much they can help you. There is nothing wrong with spending money, there are only wrong things to spend money on.

I will say this, I do see a lot of 30 and under young men who are really on the right track. They have learned the hard way from watching their parents make all the wrong and stupid decisions. Good for you! It will be worth it!