For many, life truly begins in their 20s. You’ve moved out of your parents’ place, you’re putting the finishing touches on school, and you’re ready to enter the true world of adulthood. It’s a time to leave behind a life of partying and supervision for a world of responsibility and looking to the future. Below is a list of a few of the defining achievements for 20-somethings that many consider a rite of passage into adulthood.
Starting a Career
Before your 20s, work consisted of part-time jobs flipping burgers or cleaning up after others. Making the transition from a job to a career is one of the major achievements someone in their 20s can accomplish. While an entry-level job often doesn’t have any upward mobility, a career will give you the opportunity to earn promotions, increase your salary and begin work on creating the rest of your adult life.
Buying a Car from a Dealership
Having a career can open the doors to many adult achievements, including the ability to purchase a car from a dealership instead of buying used from a private seller. While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with buying used or buying from a private seller, there is definitely a sense of accomplishment and adulthood that accompanies buying from a dealership. Being approved to buy a new car on credit, or even to have the income to buy a car outright, is a huge achievement. However, if you can’t afford a new car, even buying used from a dealership is a step in the right direction. Dealers like Bay Ridge Nissan carry both new and used, and sometimes offer discounts to first-time buyers, which lets you know this is a significant stepping stone.
Becoming Debt Free
Once you’ve locked in your career and bought a new and reliable car from a dealership, it’s time to start paying off your loans. While young adults in their early 20s often misspend their money and amass stacks of debt, one major adult accomplishment is paying off those debts. Whether it’s credit card bills or student loans, paying off your debts in full is one of the biggest achievements a 20-something adult can accomplish.
Starting a Family
When you hit your late 20s and begin to cross over into your 30s, it’s time to take the last step into adulthood by starting a family. Your late 20s is often the time to start settling down and putting the wheels in motion to create a family of your own. Some may find it too soon to start trying for a baby; however, the late 20s is around the time most adults start finding that special someone and getting married.
Accomplishing even half of these achievements can put someone in their 20s ahead of the pack. By starting with a plan of what you want for yourself, you’ll be able to achieve your goals much quicker. Even if you’ve yet to land your dream career, dream car, or the love of your life, looking forward is the best way to make sure you’re making progress toward adulthood.
