I’ve been 30 years old for a few months now. Like most birthdays that end in zero, I’ve done a lot of thinking about where I am in life, where I have been and where I want to be. Surprisingly, I have had a lot of light bulbs go off in my head in the last year. A lot of light bulbs that I wish had switched themselves on a lot earlier. By sharing these gems, I hope that they may others on their journery. My list totals a couple of dozen, but I’ve merged alot together to bring you some of my best:

1. Credit cards are toxic. Not just bad, but insanely stupid. Want 50,000 reasons why, check out my post on how I accumulated $250,000 in consumer debt (without buying a house).

2. The rat race sucks. I work 8 to 6 everyday and sometimes on Saturdays. I get paid a decent wage, but most of it goes to pay off debt and for a place to live. What kind of life is that?

3. Because of #2 above–you must do one thing for yourself above all else. Start your own business, buy real estate, and build your passive income now. That way by the time you are 30 years old you aren’t stuck in a cubicle reading about all the C students who aren’t in cubicles.

4. The internet is in its diapers. Invest in it now. Of course, ten years ago when I wish I knew this, it was definitely true. But I also think its true in 2015 and beyond. The internet isn’t even walking yet.

5. Learn to eat right and exercise now. Make it a habit and routine. Fast food, although fast and easy, is not the answer to anything. It will poison you in the long run.

6. Negotiate your first salary. I know the economy is in the can right now and this may not work for all. But I just accepted my first job and didn’t negotiate. I think I could have negotiated $10k more, and therefore, it cost me $50k in the first 5 years. That’s a lot of dough.

7. Move somewhere amazing and further than 2 hours away from home–Now! I have always lived within 2 hours of my hometown and parents. I hate the cold weather here in the midwest and would rather be in sunny Florida or Arizona.

8. Learn to type but be weary of carpal tunnel. I work in an office where a lot of people type and everyone complains of the symptoms. I also work in a business where we see and hear about a lot of injuries. Typing is a must in this internet age, but don’t take it for granted. Age and pain will catch up to you. So take care of your body. And I know all you young folks think this is a crazy old person comment…and I do too, but someday you’ll undertand (about when you hit 30). Body aches and pains seem to start at about age 30.

9. Life is not about stuff…and you can’t take any of it with you. So don’t keep up with the Joneses. When you buy something, ask yourself if you are just going to be throwing it away or selling it in a rummage sale in about two years. Most things won’t even pass this test.

10. Television and modern day news are useless. Another one that may sound crazy. But watch the nightly news tonight. Next week tell me what you remember from that news cast. Not much. Even better, tell me how that news cast helped you. Did you increase your savings or pay off debt or feed the homeless because of some news story about local crime or some celebrity being arrested. Seriously…think about it. If I had all the time I lost being a news junkie and put that towards the goals such as killing debt and increasing passive income, there is no doubt I would be a millionaire.

Is there anything you have learned that you wish you had learned much earlier…please let us know in the comments. Thanks!