Of all the everyday things in your life, what have you bought/done that has improved your quality of life most dramatically that you'd recommend to others? What did you have to learn the hard way because no one ever thought to give you any advice or scheduled an appointment for you? Share here and we all benefit!
Since I'm a senior in college ready to enter the job market, I recently decided to start thinking more about certain aspects of my personal health, future, and how I'm perceived by others. However, I wanted to make sure the little "improvements" were things I felt so strongly made my life better that I would use them even on days I spent home alone. With that and a sound future in mind, the best lifestyle recommendations I can make are...
1) Get your wisdom teeth taken out ASAP.
I know this isn't an everyday surgury, but for almost everyone it will help in the long run. For one reason, it is nearly impossible to brush them, especially if they are half-impacted through your gum, so food trapped around them can eventually lead to tooth decay and bad breath. Also, if the tooth begins decaying or if you can't brush/floss between the wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it, the problems can spread to the adjacent molars. This is all in addition to the usual problems of the strain wisdom teeth put on the rest of your mouth. Also, get this surgury done as soon as possible. It gets harder to do the longer you wait.
2) If you have acne, talk to a doctor before choosing to try over-the-counter medicine.
I know this seems expensive, but it's the only thing that's worked for me definitely after ten long years of trial and error. What's more, from waiting too long and from trying to stick with over-the-counter products without consultation, I have scarring on my face that's probably never going to go away. If you talk to the doctor and what they recommend still doesn't work, at least you'll have the comfort of knowing you tried. Don't look back and regret it like I did.
3) Use an electric toothbrush and brush/floss regularly.
Electrict toothbrushes cost just as much as normal ones, maybe only a dollar more, but reach the edges of the gums you can't get with a normal toothbrush or floss. This saves money in the long run because it prevents cavities. This is an especially good idea if you have a battery recharger. Don't stop flossing, though! Floss at least once a week, and don't shy away from getting way up in the gums. This is not only a worthwhile investment financially, but will help you have a pretty smile, too. If you want whiter teeth, my roommate last year had great success with whitening strips, but I've decided to buy Listerine whitening mouthwash because it kills germs as well.
4) If you have oily skin and want to take away the shine but still want to look like you're not wearing make-up...
...my aunt who works for Mary Kay suggests Time Wise foundation. It's a powder that you just brush on lightly and it really softens up your face without looking like you put anything on. She gave me a sample and I've been very impressed with the results. I don't know how much it costs yet, but I still think it's a wise investment if you're planning to go on job interviews, etc. Even if you're sweating, you won't look like it.
5) Take ginkgo biloba.
I've been meaning to buy this for awhile, but I only got around to it today. Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow throughout your body, including your limbs and your brain. Therefore, if taken regularly, it's proven to not only give you more energy, but also improve your brainpower! You don't see results for four weeks, but when you do I don't see why it shouldn't improve overall quality of life. I mean, who doesn't want to be sharper or have a better memory? The choices you make and the tests you take in your teens and twenties can determine how you will be perceived in the job market, so I think taking proven natural supplements like ginkgo biloba early on is one of the best decisions a person can make.
6) Start paying into retirement the instant you get a steady job.
This is my mom's recommendation to me, and as expensive as life is today, it's a sound one. Invest that money you set aside into the stock market, but aim for a variety of risk levels so that you make a decent amount of money but don't lose it all. These are usually called mutual funds and are often taken care of for you, but ask around before you jump into a plan. Social Security is not something we can count on, so preparation is absolutely necessary. If you have a steady job that pays well, plan to set aside as much as 25% of your regular income for retirement. Yes, everyone needs a little spending money, but the less we worry about having a steady future the more stressfree and productive our entire outlook on life becomes.
7) Buy, don't rent.
I'm talking about a house here. Every dollar you spend on rent is a dollar wasted. A purchase, however, is something you can sell later on, so even if you sell at a loss, you're spending less money overall than renting. However, if you improve the house or buy in an up-and-coming neighborhood, you can even sell your house at a profit, so it becomes a magnificent investment overall. Paying off loans for a house is also one of the best ways to build up credit for other purchases, as long as you pay on time and regularly.
Just a couple lifestyle recommendations that I think can save everyone a lot of frustration and money in the long run.
What do you suggest?
Since I'm a senior in college ready to enter the job market, I recently decided to start thinking more about certain aspects of my personal health, future, and how I'm perceived by others. However, I wanted to make sure the little "improvements" were things I felt so strongly made my life better that I would use them even on days I spent home alone. With that and a sound future in mind, the best lifestyle recommendations I can make are...
1) Get your wisdom teeth taken out ASAP.
I know this isn't an everyday surgury, but for almost everyone it will help in the long run. For one reason, it is nearly impossible to brush them, especially if they are half-impacted through your gum, so food trapped around them can eventually lead to tooth decay and bad breath. Also, if the tooth begins decaying or if you can't brush/floss between the wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it, the problems can spread to the adjacent molars. This is all in addition to the usual problems of the strain wisdom teeth put on the rest of your mouth. Also, get this surgury done as soon as possible. It gets harder to do the longer you wait.
2) If you have acne, talk to a doctor before choosing to try over-the-counter medicine.
I know this seems expensive, but it's the only thing that's worked for me definitely after ten long years of trial and error. What's more, from waiting too long and from trying to stick with over-the-counter products without consultation, I have scarring on my face that's probably never going to go away. If you talk to the doctor and what they recommend still doesn't work, at least you'll have the comfort of knowing you tried. Don't look back and regret it like I did.
3) Use an electric toothbrush and brush/floss regularly.
Electrict toothbrushes cost just as much as normal ones, maybe only a dollar more, but reach the edges of the gums you can't get with a normal toothbrush or floss. This saves money in the long run because it prevents cavities. This is an especially good idea if you have a battery recharger. Don't stop flossing, though! Floss at least once a week, and don't shy away from getting way up in the gums. This is not only a worthwhile investment financially, but will help you have a pretty smile, too. If you want whiter teeth, my roommate last year had great success with whitening strips, but I've decided to buy Listerine whitening mouthwash because it kills germs as well.
4) If you have oily skin and want to take away the shine but still want to look like you're not wearing make-up...
...my aunt who works for Mary Kay suggests Time Wise foundation. It's a powder that you just brush on lightly and it really softens up your face without looking like you put anything on. She gave me a sample and I've been very impressed with the results. I don't know how much it costs yet, but I still think it's a wise investment if you're planning to go on job interviews, etc. Even if you're sweating, you won't look like it.
5) Take ginkgo biloba.
I've been meaning to buy this for awhile, but I only got around to it today. Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow throughout your body, including your limbs and your brain. Therefore, if taken regularly, it's proven to not only give you more energy, but also improve your brainpower! You don't see results for four weeks, but when you do I don't see why it shouldn't improve overall quality of life. I mean, who doesn't want to be sharper or have a better memory? The choices you make and the tests you take in your teens and twenties can determine how you will be perceived in the job market, so I think taking proven natural supplements like ginkgo biloba early on is one of the best decisions a person can make.
6) Start paying into retirement the instant you get a steady job.
This is my mom's recommendation to me, and as expensive as life is today, it's a sound one. Invest that money you set aside into the stock market, but aim for a variety of risk levels so that you make a decent amount of money but don't lose it all. These are usually called mutual funds and are often taken care of for you, but ask around before you jump into a plan. Social Security is not something we can count on, so preparation is absolutely necessary. If you have a steady job that pays well, plan to set aside as much as 25% of your regular income for retirement. Yes, everyone needs a little spending money, but the less we worry about having a steady future the more stressfree and productive our entire outlook on life becomes.
7) Buy, don't rent.
I'm talking about a house here. Every dollar you spend on rent is a dollar wasted. A purchase, however, is something you can sell later on, so even if you sell at a loss, you're spending less money overall than renting. However, if you improve the house or buy in an up-and-coming neighborhood, you can even sell your house at a profit, so it becomes a magnificent investment overall. Paying off loans for a house is also one of the best ways to build up credit for other purchases, as long as you pay on time and regularly.
Just a couple lifestyle recommendations that I think can save everyone a lot of frustration and money in the long run.
What do you suggest?
Comment