Young man seeking guidance

Do you really need to go to a school? I had a colleague who was a software engineer and decided in his 30's that he really wanted to be a Porsche mechanic (he had just bought a 71 911). He went to one of those outfits you see on TV all the time and graduated at the top of the class, and went to work at an Audi dealership for like a year before he left and went to work for a non-specialist shop. He told me that he could have just started working in a shop and learned on the job, but I guess you need to get a foot in the door somehow.

I went to school for being a mechanic, ended up working for VW/Audi/Porsche for 10yrs. I still was not content. I actually ended up fubaring my left arm pretty good, I had my left elbow replaced @ 30yrs old. I now can only wrench as a hobby, but if that had not happened, I would not have my current position with GM which I absolutely love even if it is a desk job. I get to play with performance and accessory parts all day. Oh, and I work from home too, at least for the past 2yrs anyway.

Pay yourself first. Weather it's 3% or 20% put something in savings every. single. paycheck. Be really strict about it.
You will need a lump sum of money from an unexpected calamity and savings can save your skin.


If your job has a 401k put as much in as you can in there especially if your employer does any sort of matching. Putting it in early will help tremendously when you get older.


Beat down any debt starting with the highest interest rate debt. Put extra on it every payment until it's gone then start on the next highest interest debt.
Put whatever the payment amount for the one that got payed off onto the second highest.
Same money out of pocket but it pays the debt off fast.

Get a credit card and use it for fuel for your vehicles and nothing else. Pay it off every payday leaving a small amount like $10 on the card. This can help your credit rating. It shows that you can manage credit and banks will be more willing to loan money at a better interest rate.

And always remember, Best. Day. EVER! It will be if you decide to make it so.

You bunch of guys sound smart

Just one more piece of advice from an old fart like me....
If your soon to be significant other is one board then do what make you happy work wise.
Oh yeah and no matter what always keep the line of communication open with her!!
Best of luck and God bless you all!
G

Pick your projects carefully, and pick projects you know you'll love. There's plenty of project opportunities that sound cool for 5 minutes, but you won't finish them if you don't love them. Don't be afraid to sell or scrap the stuff you've hoarded if it doesn't support one of your true projects.

You need a working space, and your fiancee needs to know to not try and store stuff there.

About once a month, buy your fiancee some flowers, or a bottle of wine, or whatever, just to remind her that you're thinking of her and value your relationship with her. This is especially effective if gifts are her love language. If you haven't read up on love languages and how to communicate, DO IT. Always remember that women are naturally insecure about your relationship and need constant reassurance. Happiness in the home gives you peace in the shop.

Now that you have figured out where children come from, don't plan to have any more until you get the extra education and get more money coming in!. The advice above about clearing any debts is very good. It would not hurt to listen to Dave Ramsey and/or read his book. His methods can be a little simplistic (not trying to start any debates here) but they do work and work well. Getting married and getting into a good church family can help too.
I assume you have one of the trucks. Learn here how to take care of it and it will serve you well while all this is going on Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Yep, the love language thing is 100%.

Eveready said:

getting into a good church family can help too.

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Awesome advice!

I like the advice I’m seeing. I’m just a year younger than who started the thread and there’s been some helpful stuff for me as well.

I agree with 0xDEADBEEF on the college. I graduated early with a high GPA and everything to start college. Instead I went to work for the local Honda dealership and worked my way up. I’m no master technician or anything but it pays well and there’s plenty of room to grow.

Good luck. I’m keeping an eye on this thread for some advice as well.