Reflecting on our youthful days often stirs a cocktail of nostalgia and a sprinkle of regret. Many of us, now navigating the choppy waters of adulthood, often ponder the same question: “What do I wish I had known earlier?” We asked some young people to share their wisdom, and their insights are both humorous and heartfelt.
Uwimbabazi Muratangabo Lydia sighs, “I wish I had saved more or had made it really important. The benefits of saving while you are young: if I had started saving when I was younger, I would be at a level I am happy with, able to meet my basic needs without difficulty.”
When you’re young, saving money does not seem as important as spending money. But if only we had realized that keeping away those coins could someday translate to financial stability during the ‘broke days.’ The piggy bank might have seemed like a cruel dictator back then, but Lydia’s words remind us it was more like a wise, tiny advisor we chose to ignore.
Mugisha David echoes this sentiment, “Who I am today is the one who prepares my future, like saving to help me in the future. If only I had started when I was younger.”
Mugisha hits the nail on the head with his poignant reflection. The idea that our present selves are sculptors of our future can feel like a daunting revelation. It’s a bit like realizing halfway through a cake recipe that you’ve forgotten the eggs. You can still bake the cake, but it won’t quite have that perfect rise. Starting early with even the smallest of savings could have added that extra fluff to our financial futures.
Then there’s Dierah, who brings a broader perspective to the table, “Being informed on time and knowing how to share that information with others.”
Dierah’s insight is a reminder that knowledge isn’t just power—it’s also meant to be shared. Imagine if we had been more informed about taxes, insurance, or how borrowed money isn’t free money (despite what our 18-year-old brains told us).
Moreover, sharing this wisdom could have saved many from the infamous ‘debt spiral.’ Information and communication are like the salt and pepper of life—they make everything better when used wisely.
The common thread in these reflections is clear: the sooner we start certain habits, the better. Saving money, seeking knowledge, and sharing information are foundational blocks that support a sturdy future. It’s almost like planting a tree; the best time to do it was twenty years ago, but the second-best time is now.
