BIRTHDAY Balloons

your education right now is more important that you know. Don't blow it off.
Life gets better as you age
Avoid credit cards and debt (mortgage being an exception, but understand value vs desire)
Eat healthy now. many people gains lots of weight after they move out because they are free to eat whatever they want. Most of it will be bad for you
Don't marry because of sex. Marry because you like spending time with the other. Sex is a short lived event and the rest of the day is not.
Remember to spoil yourself once in a while, but not too often. Frequency matters, keep it special

Marriage because of sex will only last as long as the sex itself

Or she...don't know you that well.

He's right.

So, what you're saying is keep balancing my life?

I'm not turning 16 for a few years but all I can say is

Don't crash your car 👌

Yup

Superpowers and the like often manifest when the person turns 16. Be prepared in case you turn out to be a protagonist.

Ok

WHATTTTT! I WANT SUPER POWERS!!!! WHERE DO I GET!!!!

Wow, congrats! Happy early birthday! I'm not 16 yet, but I just wanted to say congratulations. It's tough being a teenager, but you're almost done.

Being a teenager is one of the easiest things in life. Being old is hard, and it sucks. Enjoy your youth because it will be gone before you know it.

Thanks. I try not to want to grow up, like most girls my age, but teenage years suck sometimes.

All years suck some of the time. I would sell my soul to the devil to be 16 again. When you get older, your body deteriorates and with that comes lots of pain and frustration.

Oh. Thanks for the advice!

Ya riggght

Thanks

Yeah, no prob!

Life does eventually get better. Enjoy it, even when times are tough. Also, when it comes to education and growing up in general:
1) CONSIDER THE COST. If you cannot afford it, or cannot reasonably afford it (as in you cannot pay it off within two years)... DO NOT GO THERE.
2) Don't go for a liberal arts degree or business degree in a 4-year university. It's not very marketable (unless you're very specific), and you'll be laden with a heavy price tag that you'll have to match one way or another. I recommend scholarships. 😉
3) Learn adulting skills if you haven't already. There is a book, I believe called "The Useful Book," that you can borrow or buy. Great reading. Plus, great for college and beyond.
4) Be responsible when you go out. Have fun, but stay safe and have an accountability partner. If stuff goes crazy, get out.
5) Start saving regularly, starting with $1000 that you don't touch (except for an emergency). Add $1000 every year. Just under $84 per month! When you get a better job, save 15% if you can.
6) Small purchases (under $100): before purchasing something you don't need, ask yourself how many hours it will take for you to buy it.
7) Larger purchases: ask yourself if you can afford it twice and if you needed it yesterday.
8) Give 10% of your gross pay to your church. If you don't go to church, give it to a charity.
9) Don't spread yourself thin over your schedule.
12) Colleges (and some jobs) love volunteering and internships.
13) Exercise at least 45 minutes per week. It'll make a difference.
13) Take up an artistic or musical skill. You don't have to be a virtuoso, but this helps round you out a bit, plus it exercises your mind.
14) Remember that discipline is not a d word. It's simply practice for when the real thing happens!
14) Take a little time to read something fun!
15) Be brave, but know you cannot succeed on your own. Get help if you need it, no matter how embarrassing it feels. You're always and forever loved.
16) Take time to have fun. It's a tough serious world out there, it's nice to break the tension every so often.

I know this was super long, and I don't know how much of this you do already, but these are just some concepts that I wished I fully understood when I was your age.

Have a wonderful Birthday, Lacey! Best of luck to you! 💝

Wow, that's a lot of good tips, Nonnie! I'll use them when I grow up too! Thank you!

Lol Thanks!

Thanks

Lotta good advice here. I'll just add Save for rainy days (or weeks or months); unexpected financial emergencies should never ruin your life. also be open-minded about everything AND skeptical at the same time. Go slow with anything new. Congrats on the big 16!

Thanks

Don't text and drive!!!

Point taken. I heard people wreck when they text.

Yes and they kill people who are minding their own business.

I don't see how it's not a crime yet

It is. In every state in the United States, there is at least one law that specifies what is legal/illegal with regard to texting while driving. Many states do not even allow people to hold their phone in their hand. Hands-free is only way to use phone whilst driving in those states.

Oh

Over texting while driving

Well, this advice is for anyone really. Study hard and don't flunk any subjects, it'll slow ya down. (For me that's kinda too late anyways) but one thing we all can agree is don't dive head first into the unknown situations and stay safe.

Ok

That's all I can say, I'm turning 17 this year so...yeah....

Ooh, when is it? I wanna wish you a happy birthday!

Augest the 12th

Alright, I'll be sure to remember!

Alright

My tag line and focus on your education...

never smoke

Be responsible

Like, getting a job?

Maybe but what I'm saying is don't let your age get to your head. You need to keep following the law and don't get too reckless

Got it.

Wow edgy

How did you get so edgy?

I don't remember you being so edgy

You wanna talk about it?

I am politley going to turn down that offer. I'd rather not.

It'll make you feel better

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C'mon, let's do it in the private chat

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