5 Money Skills You Learn When You’re Single
Financial skills I learned when I didn’t have a girlfriend
Hi Paulo, when will you get a girlfriend?
Isn’t there a girl out there that you are interested in?
These were some of a bunch of questions I heard whenever I went to the house of relatives, neighbors, and friends.
I was really, really angry, because what’s the rush?
Why always the same speech?
Why so much pressure?
So I decided that I was not going to spend so much energy trying to convince them. Because at that moment in my life I was not in a hurry. I liked being single.
I know that there is a lot of social pressure and it is “said” that at a certain age you should already have a “serious relationship”. But this is not true. Growing up is hard, it should come with an instruction manual.
Here are some lessons I learned in singlehood.
Making more money when you are single is the best time
We are all growing up.
Some of my friends are married. Others have gone traveling around the world. Some still live at home with their parents. Others are doing very well financially. And others are without employees.
Your small group of friends will not always be the same. There will be friends who will be for life, but others will leave when they want to.
Each one will go it’s the separate way.
You will meet new people, spend your money on certain things, work in a new company or travel the world, and possibly meet the love of your life.
If something is not a priority for you, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t for others.
Everyone brings their own story and everyone will choose their own goals and dreams.
I have learned not to spend so much money on things that are not life and death
We have been sold the idea that the best thing that could happen to you in this world is to have a date.
But do you enjoy being with yourself? Just you and you.
I dated a girl for two years. As time passed, our priorities changed and I decided it was better to split up.
Suddenly, I started to get to know myself.
Today I know that I like to buy books, listen to loud music, go for walks with my friends on the weekends, and watch the clouds and see the sunset.
If I want to order a pizza and watch a series, I do.
If I just want to sit quietly on the couch reading my book and drinking tea, I completely surrender to that moment.
Sometimes I go back to see how much money I have spent, and other times I applaud myself for keeping my promise not to spend so much money on things that are not life and death.
Always put my priorities up there
For some of my friends, one of their priorities is to get married and start a family.
For now, I’m investing in myself. Learning about myself and striving to grow in my career, investing money in courses and any masterclass that comes along are my priorities.
What are yours?
Make your own list.
Go be a tourist in a new country.
Move and start living in an exotic country.
Change jobs if you have to.
Start a side hustle online.
Take a weekend trip to the interior of the country you are in.
Compare yourself financially to yourself. Not with others
It’s always me against myself.
If Amanda is already married, if Moe has already proposed to his girlfriend, if Samantha is already buying a house, if Eclat already has a girlfriend… Everyone goes at their own pace. Don’t compare yourself. Don’t put pressure on yourself.
Observe yourself and turn to see your past self. What habits did you have, and how much did you grow?
Look back on your savings account compared to your twenties.
Being a cowhand enslaves you. Do one nice thing yourself
I have saved a lot and taken many small trips by myself.
There is nothing wrong with going out with friends who are boyfriends. You shouldn’t run away from it and you should start normalizing being “single” without feeling uncomfortable about it.
You are not late.
You are just going at your own pace.
Enjoy every step, save to accomplish everything you want, and be happy.
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