Paying rent on an entry-level salary. Feeding yourself in a healthy yet budget-conscious manner. Weddings.
(Just, like, the concept of them in general.)
Yes, being a twenty-something presents you with quite a few challenges, but at the end of the day, they can all relate back to one core theme: You’re growing up, and getting acclimated to the idea of being a responsible, mature adult. To achieve this goal, you’ll have to adopt certain habits, many of which involve managing your money effectively.
If you’re fortunate enough to have any disposable income, you won’t completely refrain from splurging, but you may convince yourself that you should stop spending your extra cash on anything too frivolous. You’ll buy yourself some nice clothes, maybe take yourself out for a special dinner, but only because such purchases are still somewhat practical.
However, being practical isn’t always the best way to be happy, and you should never forget the significance of maintaining your mental health. That’s why there are some “childish” ways of spending your hard-earned money that are still worth indulging in from time to time in your twenties.
Such as. . .
Amusement Parks
If you’re an adrenaline junky, amusement parks offer safe opportunities to get your fix. That said, we typically associate trips to Six Flags with childhood. If you don’t have kids of your own, it’s hard to convince yourself to head there as an adult.
That’s the reason you should take yourself there, though. One day, you probably will have kids, and with them in tow, you won’t be spending much time on the more exciting rides such places have to offer. The thrills you get when you spend a day riding roller-coasters can go a long way towards helping you forget about the new stressors that have invaded your life. It’s worth your money to enjoy such experiences from time to time.
Treats
There is no good reason for a candy store to exist. Such establishments dispense does more harm than good. Try telling that to a little kid, though. When they step inside a candy shop, they don’t see an assortment of dentist bills and potential health problems. They see The Greatest Effing Place on Earth.
As an adult, your tastes may have shifted, but the principle is the same. While you’re less interested in sugary snacks these days, you may have an affinity for craft beer or quality wine. Justifying the money spent on such items can be difficult, but from time to time, you have to simply treat yourself. Like candy, you’re not going to get much in the way of health benefits from an alcoholic beverage, but you will enjoy yourself a little more that day.
Video Games
If you’re not a gamer, you may never be one. If you did, however, grow up with Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong, you know that video games offer a unique kind of entertainment experience. While watching a movie or TV with a loved one can be a decent way to spend time with one another, playing a video game together involves more direct interaction. You still get the experience of turning off your brain and winding down at the end of the day, while also, you know, actually talking to your significant other.
That’s why, despite the popular opinion that video games are strictly for kids, you may be better off channeling your funds towards them in your twenties than you think. They offer a surprisingly fun way of spending time with someone close to you.
Artistic Endeavors
As kids, many of us develop an interest in some form of art, whether it’s painting, playing music, or making movies. Such hobbies involve a substantial monetary investment, but as far as we’re concerned, the joy we take in giving in to our creative impulses is well worth the money spent.
When we come to realize, though, that we lack the talent necessary to truly succeed as any sort of artist, some of us give up the joy of the experience altogether. After paying the bills, can you really convince yourself to shell out a few hundred bucks for a new guitar, when you were never that good to begin with?
Of course you can. Yes, you may be correct about your lack of skill, but the little kid who can’t draw all that well doesn’t stop doodling in the margins of his notebooks simply because he won’t make a living doing it. Kids are more self-aware than we give them credit for. They know whether or not they’ve got what it takes to truly grow as an artist. The fact that they may not have what it takes doesn’t stop them from creating art. They do it because it’s fun.
You should hold on to that attitude. If being creative on the weekends helps you forget about the soul-crushing boredom of your day job, you should be willing to spend your money on it. It doesn’t need to make you millions, it just needs to make you feel better.
That’s what your extra money is for, anyway. When the week’s work is done and the month’s bills are paid, you’re left with a small amount of time during which you can be completely happy. Make the most of it. Kids know how to do this; what’s stopping you from remembering?
