Change is never easy. Total lifestyle change–even if it feels to be for the best–is even harder. Avoid the standard post-college lifestyle pitfalls here.

1. AVOIDING
POST-COLLEGE
LIFESTYLE
PITFALLS
A quick guide on what to be weary of in your post-grad
life.
L I O N E L B A R Z O N I I I

2. AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS01
CHANGES EVERYWHERE
Do you remember what it was like making the transition from
high school to college? Meals were no longer cooked for you
around dinner time most every night. The food was probably
less healthy, tasted worse, and the money came out of your
pocket (either directly if you paid your own way, or indirectly
via loans). You were also, of course, paying for your room–and
it was probably smaller and more cramped than the one at
Mom & Dad’s place.

3. AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS02
GETTING ACCLIMATED
But, over time, you got accustomed to it. And then, at the end of
your four (or five, or six…) years at college, things made a drastic
switch once again. Suddenly, you’ve found yourself with a more well-
paying job and a little bit more money on your hands. So what’s your
first course of action when you get that first paycheck at your new
office job? Buy a new car, an expensive new watch, or a few other
luxury items you can now afford.
Right?

4. AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS03
LIFESTYLE INFLATION
Excessive lifestyle inflation comes almost naturally when you move
out of your parents house, get your first job, and live alone. But it
doesn’t have to happen at all if you know how to manage your
money, your expectations, and your lifestyle.

5. THE STEPS.
Spend Responsibly
Plan Ahead
Do Your Research
Be Reasonable
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS04

6. SPEND RESPONSIBLY
So you’ve got that first paycheck and, chances are it’s a fair bit higher
than anything you’ve received in the past. But just because you have a
job making $50,000 now doesn’t mean you can buy a $50,000 sports car
or put a huge down payment on a house.
Your parents aren’t around anymore, but that doesn’t mean you should
order Chinese or pizza every night–learn to cook and buy your groceries,
you’ll save a ton of money.
In addition, consider buying some items for your house or person used.
Rather than spending $500 on a new couch, get a hand me down for a
fraction of the cost. The same goes for most anything you need for a
new apartment.
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS05

7. PLAN AHEAD
What do you do with the aforementioned money left over from those
paychecks? That’s right–put it into your savings account. Saving a little
bit from each check and depositing it into your savings account will add
up over time–as long as you really, really force yourself to not touch it
(except in emergencies).
Budget out your spending–check what you’re spending on rent, on
utilities, on a car payment, student loans, and any other regular expenses
you may have. Then subtract that and look at what’s left over. Try to put
a large chunk of that into your savings every month, but be sure to leave
some for a night out every now and then!
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS06

8. THE MORE MONEY YOU SAVE NOW,
THE LESS YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF
NEEDING LATER.
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS07
KEY TAKEAWAY:

9. DO RESEARCH
One of the biggest money-sinks that people–especially young
people–seem to run into is making impulse buys. Yes, that $200 TV on
Amazon seems like a great deal–and it probably is, but do you really
need it? Take a day or two to think things over and determine how much
you actually need that TV before you make a large purchase. The same
goes for most any larger purchase, be it a mattress, a car, or which
apartment you’ll be renting. See if there are cheaper (but still suiting
your needs) options available.
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS08

10. BE REASONABLE
It’s one thing to attempt to live within your means, watch your spending
and exercise a degree of frugality when it comes to your finances. It’s
another thing to go overboard. No one wants to live paycheck to
paycheck in their 20s and 30s in an attempt to save up enough money to
be buried in a gold-plated casket when you’re 95. Be reasonable, track
your spending, plan ahead and do research, but don’t be afraid to spend
a little money so that you’re living comfortably when you can.
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS08

11. IF IT'S SOMETHING LIKE A CAR OR
MATTRESS, ERR ON THE SIDE OF
QUALITY OVER PRICE.
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS10
KEY TAKEAWAY:

12. I’m not miserly. I wouldn’t advocate for you to live life at its
most frugal, surviving only on rice and beans so you can save
for retirement. You should splurge sometimes. You’ll never get
your youth back, so enjoy it while you can. Take a trip every
now and then, take your spouse on a nice date or pay for the
version of Hulu that comes without ads, but make sure that
your spending habits and your earning habits balance out
when all is said and done.
AVOIDING POST-GRAD PITFALLS11
CONCLUSION: