20 Things I Wish I Knew Before My 20s

This past January, I celebrated another year around the sun! However, I think turning 22 was the birthday I’ve been dreading the most. I once used to think I’d be considered “grown up” at eighteen, and then changed that mindset to 21; however, I think I’ve finally settled on 22. Surprise, surprise! The responsibility has really kicked in!

Nonetheless, being in your 20s is hard, especially when it feels like you’re learning new things about basic living every day. Now if you’re anything like me, you call your mom for any minuscule question you have (that’s what moms are for, right?). What do you do when your mom doesn’t pick up though?  

For this reason, I’ve created a list of the questions I’ve called my mom to ask about in the couple of years I’ve been in my 20s so you don’t find yourself in a pickle on short notice!  

1. Check your insurance policies – Yes, I mean all of them. If you’re still living off your parent’s insurance policies, you’ll want to be sure you have access to all of the information needed to use them, such as policyholder date of birth, restrictions, and more. Don’t forget this includes health, dental, car, etc.! 

2. Changing a tire – Now I know this is a bit cliché, but it is super important to know. Fortunately, there are many informative videos floating around the internet to help you learn. For extra preparation, keep the necessary tools stored in your trunk to save you time if you don’t have someone within reach to come to your aid.  

3. Understanding how loans work – You likely have a basic understanding of how loans work, but do you know all the kinds of loans that exist? This is a good time to get familiar with the type of loans you might need for future purchases, such as a car or home, so you can prepare for the requirements to obtain them.  

4. How to build credit – Did you know your credit score is more than just making payments on time? Your score is based on the diversity of your credit, length of credit history and more. If you’re interested in viewing your score, you can create an account with one of the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion; these will help you review and manage your credit history.  

5. Family medical history – You probably know your own medical history, but do you know your family medical history? It is important to understand the hereditary and genetic conditions that have impacted your family in past generations to help your doctors rule out potential diagnoses.  

6. Getting your driver’s license renewed – Getting your license renewed can vary state to state, so it is important you’re up-to-date with your state’s policies regarding license renewal. If you’re in your 20s, there’s a chance your license could be expiring soon and you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your local DMV.  

7. Booking a vacation – Vacations are unfortunately more complicated than booking a hotel or Airbnb. But, it doesn’t have to be hard. I’d suggest setting aside a budget for your entire trip and allocating to each expense, even the little ones like Ubers you’ll incur during your trip to ensure you don’t overspend and have a fun trip! 

8. Wine pairings – Truthfully, this is one I haven’t quite mastered myself. From my understanding and observation, the wine should be complementary to the food. Visit here for beginner tips on complementary wine and food pairings.

9. Cooking (in general) – If you didn’t grow up cooking in the kitchen, being on your own can bring a harsh reality to cooking. It doesn’t come easily for everyone. My tip? Learn one sheet pan meals that you can toss into the oven after a long day. Meal prepping will also save you loads of time if you’re not fond of spending your evening choosing your next meal.  

10. Annual, monthly and weekly expenses – Now, we all know about bills, but have you sat down and sorted through your weekly, monthly and annual bills? Keeping track of all these expenses can be difficult, especially when they all have different due dates. Be sure to write them down in an accessible location with reminders so you won’t forget! 

11. The difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen – You might be saying, “Aren’t they both painkillers?” The short answer to that is, yes, however, the type of pain you experience can determine which might be a better option. This article from the Cleveland Clinic can help you choose which painkiller is best suited for you.  

12. The professional email and the personal email – You might be like me and be using the same email you created at 12. Before you start applying for jobs, transition your childhood email to your fun email where you receive sales promotions and personal mail, and designate a new one for your professional endeavors, using your name for a title.  

13. Updating your vaccinations (especially if you’re in college) – It was a shock to me when I entered my senior year of college and was told one of my vaccinations had expired. If you’re in college, or even if you’re not, double check your records to be sure you’re up-to-date with your vaccinations.

14. Being a new patient at the doctor’s office – Being in college away from home, I’ve had to switch to doctors more local to me. This comes with its own challenges of being a new patient. When calling a new doctor’s office, ask if the office is taking new patients and have your medical records or access to them handy for reference. 

15. What to do when you get in a car accident – Unfortunately, accidents happen. You might not know how to handle one if it’s your first time. Whether it is or is not your fault, you’ll want to start by calling 911 and make sure help is on the way. Depending upon the severity of your accident, you might need to call a tow company. Then you’ll want to call your insurance company to report the accident and file a claim.  

16. Going into the bank – Most of us are accustomed to mobile banking or using the drive-thru at our bank. However, occasionally, you might need a trip into the bank which can feel a bit intimidating if you’re not sure exactly what you need. If this is the case, be sure to have easy access to all your financial information and a researched list of what you’re looking for or want to accomplish in your finances.  

17. Passports – Where do you get one? How much are they? For more information on how you can apply, visit the U.S. Department of State website!  

18. Renting and Co-Signers – Finally, a place of your own! Living away from home has its perks, but there’s a lot that goes into being a renter. If you’re new to renting and haven’t built a strong credit foundation, you might need a co-signer to sign a lease, which protects the landlord from losing out on money if you don’t pay. In addition, many rentals require you to have a minimum monthly income verified with proof before entering into a lease. Keep this in your memory when hunting for the next place you call home.  

19. Taxes – If you’ve been working since your teenage years, you likely already know how to file your taxes. If you haven’t, you might be a bit confused about all of the numbers that play into it. Fear not, websites such as TurboTax make the process of filing taxes easy by guiding you through each step. All the information you’ll need should be accessible on your W-2 from your employer.  

20. Wedding Guest Attire – As you reach your 20s and your friends begin to get engaged and married, you might be confused between black tie, cocktail and semi-formal attire categories. As a general rule of thumb, black tie is as fancy as it gets, elegant gowns and tuxedos, followed by cocktail, which is a bit more relaxed with shorter dresses and suits. Semi-formal can be a bit more casual than cocktail, but still look like you belong at a wedding.  

But the most important thing you need to know is…it’s okay that you don’t have to have it all figured out! As long as you have friends and family in your corner, you’ll always have someone to ask for help! 

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• twenties