Aug 22, 2017

Millennials: 5 Plans For Your Future

By: Russ Zalatimo

The generational marketing buzzword of “millennial” has become a cliché way of describing the generation coming into control of our world. However, the generation of millennials—classified as being born between the early ‘80s and the early aughts—have contributed much to society with their unorthodox approaches to life. So much so, that we can thank millennials for many of the advancements of today within the fields of technology, medicine, entrepreneurship—the list goes on and on. But what can also be attributed to millennials is the “live in the now” sentiment that can oftentimes become detrimental to the future elder years of the generation. Sure, taking big risks and landing comfortably on big rewards has become something of the millennial mantra, but despite the success of throwing caution to the wind, there are some things to be taken seriously and planned accordingly in life. Here are a few of them.

 

THE ACTUAL FUTURE

Sounds like a big journey into the unknown, doesn’t it? Sure, the future can be scary and preferably avoided for some, but there is merit to setting some life goals. Would you like a family? What is your ideal career path? Do you want to own a home? Where would that home be located? These are all hypotheticals at the moment, but it’s important to think about where you’d like life to take you. Since we are kids we are told to envision the future, to the point where it becomes more of a negative than a positive. Here’s a bit of advice: your future is in your hands, but all of it can change. Having some plans in place can prepare for those changes if and when they happen.

 

SAVINGS FOR RETIREMENT

So you think that because you’re in your 20’s or 30’s, you still have all the time in the world to save money for retirement years. That’s not entirely true. With the threat of government programs like social security going extinct in the coming decades, what will be your financial backup plan for income? If your job doesn’t come with a pension, then what do you do? The goal? Now is the time take the money you have and put it into savings. There are many ways to do this by way of investments that can be both modest and conservative. It’s not about the gamble of playing stocks or even flipping real estate (though those are both viable options), it’s finding ways to make money from your money for your later years in life. If you’re not financially savvy, hire a financial planner. It may change your life.

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Yes, it’s true that advancements in science and medicine have offered us the luxury of longer lives. Think back to yesteryears when even the common cold produced gigantic threats of health complications. But just because modern medicine now plays in your favor, it doesn’t mean that you should test fate by hurting your bodies. The assumption is that as you age, you’ll be able to fix yourself up, as if to suggest that decades of smoking, drinking, drugging, and poor eating will somehow be erased with an acai bowl. This isn’t some “Just Say No” campaign, though. Rather, it’s a call for moderation. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re an adult (hard to believe sometimes, right?). Just because medicine is readily available doesn’t mean that abusing your body is a privilege. Limit your intake of toxins: that can be any synthetic drugs, smoke, or chemicals found in various foods. Exercise regularly. Take care of your bodies. You only have one.

 

MENTAL HEALTH

It’s true that millennials may be the generation most in touch with their emotions, so this may be information that you’ve already have, but a reminder doesn’t hurt. Stress is a mental condition that manifests itself physically, so get a handle on your stress. Meditation can help significantly, as well as other relaxation techniques. If you’re feeling that your mind is out of sorts, check in with yourself. Seek out a therapist or even psychiatrist. Do the work on yourself to ensure you are well-prepared for the road ahead. There is no promise that life will get any better or worse than it is right now, so finding ways to cope with every day will be beneficial now and in the long run.

 

GIVING BACK

The phrase is called “pay it forward,” and while this piece is dedicated to the “future” so to speak, there are ways to balance your life with philanthropy now. This isn’t just writing a check to a charity, though that definitely helps. Volunteering for community organizations that you are particularly passionate about is one important way. Another is putting in work for places like non-profits that could use your expertise but can’t offer pay. A popular millennial opinion is to always be paid for your work (even in the early years of your career), and sure that’s a reasonable mindset, but getting in the habit of helping people with nothing but good karma in return will show you how it’s not all about that paycheck. The reward can be something greater; it’s called building a legacy.