25 Pieces Of Advice About Money From Millennials You'll Wish You Knew Earlier

Money advice tends to sound simple until real life gets involved, and then every decision feels a lot bigger. This roundup pulls together a stack of millennial money lessons about saving, debt, credit cards, retirement, and the everyday choices that can quietly shape your finances.

The ideas range from practical habits to hard-earned reminders about loans, banking fees, student debt, and spending traps. Some of it is blunt, some of it is familiar, and all of it comes from people who have already learned the expensive way.

By the end, you may find a few rules worth keeping in your back pocket.

It’s great to have savings, but it’s even better to let it grow without you lifting a finger.

brittanybethpaulson

Unless it’s absolutely necessary, try to only avail yourself of the financial aid you need and reject the extra that you can cover.

lkay09

Check out credible alternative banking mediums that can save you some money in the long run.

frygrrl

Always make sure you understand all the things the bank demands, especially those pesky hidden charges.

asoibay823

There are jobs that can help pay for your education. If you’re lucky enough to get multiple opportunities, weigh the benefits.

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If you’re thinking about starting early, the Roth IRA offers a good deal. As soon as you turn 18, you can start investing for retirement. It's taxed but tax-free in the end.

terryinaustin

There’s a strategy called the avalanche method; it helps you eliminate debts with the highest interest and pay everything off faster.

You can implement the method in four steps:

1. List all of your debts from highest to lowest interest.
2. Make sure to pay them regularly, but pay extra on the one with the highest interest.
3. When you pay off the first debt with the highest interest, move on to the second one.
4. Repeat until all your debts are paid.

zingingcutie23

If you receive a promotion at work, make sure you let your bank know. They’ll likely raise your credit limit, but it’s better if you don’t utilize it.

taylorw42f280661

Want to ensure you get your money’s worth? Use it an amount of times equivalent to the price you paid for it. $1 = 1 use.

baebumblebees

If an employer offers you a 401(k) match, take it. It’s basically free money, especially if you have it in the form of retirement savings.

caroliner4f34a2a95

Buy a used car in good condition instead of a new one. Car insurance can be more of a hassle if you don’t own the vehicle, and interest on payments can hinder your chances of getting a cheaper down payment for something else.

triplegoddess83

It’s a lot like the sibling who wanted a risky business loan, but the family pressure backfired.

Someone shared a tip that their father gave: If you don’t have the financial capacity to lend money, don’t.

cheerbear48

Choose a credit card with the best points and cash rewards, and as much as possible, pay the entire bill.

myfirstnameisdanger

Student debt is something that cripples many people's financial capacity, so if you’re about to take one on, weigh every option that could benefit you in the long run.

mj2005

Need more money? Here are three strategies you can mix together.

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Do what works for you and combine strategies if you can.

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You can’t always help the surprise when you have...

kelciewigginhart

no option but to pay for everything you need; it’s better to know these tips.

kelciewigginhart

End of advice.

kelciewigginhart

If there was an instance where you received your bills and had no idea how that happened, it’s time to study the science behind them.

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There’s a stigma about living at home, but there are benefits you can reap in the long run as long as you pay your share as much as you can.

squish37

Keep things documented. Get that deposit back.

winoheathen

It doesn’t matter if the college you attend isn’t well-known. If you’re determined and the school isn’t bad, you should go for it.

lawyerlady

The earlier, the better. There are apps that can help you stay on top of your finances.

danh48

Saying no to outings sometimes to save money does not make you lame. What’s worse is having a large debt because you keep partying all the time.

joljah21

Brands aren’t everything, especially in grocery shopping; check out your bang-for-buck deals. You’ll end up with more food as well.

dbien715

A payday loan might as well have the word ‘NO’ trailing it. Don’t do it.

anda_panda

Sales can be distracting; you’ve got to ask yourself if you’re really saving money when you buy something you don’t need just because of a discount.

alealibroberg

Small habits, like learning what you can about finance and then applying it, will pay off in the future. There are many lessons that might seem daunting, but if you trust the process, it's better to learn about them as early as possible.

Then it's a matter of keeping yourself updated about the dynamics of money-saving and investments. Maybe someday, you can share your own advice with the younger generation.

Want another tough money choice? Check out the dilemma of refusing to lend parents money in crisis.