Advice To Your 16 Year Old Self??

Question

Hey everyone, this is my first post on the BiggerPockets forum! Looking forward to hopefully getting a response or two.

I'm jumping on here to make a post today because I want to be successful in the real estate/finance space someday. But to do that you have to have elite knowledge and connections. Which is why I come to you to ask... if you could do it all again, if you could be 16 years old one more time what would you do the same and what would you do differently?

As hinted at in the title I am 16 years old, going to a good highschool and living without expenses. Plus not to brag, but from what I've heard from peers and family members I'm pretty driven and a hard worker. My biggest fear is that my drive and passion could go away at some point in my life and I'd be forced to settle with a boring, average job while living a boring and average life. Real estate is fun and not boring due to the amount of risk that must be taken. Lol.

So with all that being said, what advice do you have? What opportunities do you see for young people to make money or start an entrepreneurial venture in this day and age?

Can't wait to hopefully hear a response or two but glad I joined this forum and hoping to learn a ton from y'all!

Caleb Brown · Answer

I would tell myself -

1) Do not always buy food, clothes, shoes, junk, etc. Sure it's nice but flushing away money.

2) Start a side hustle/business. Or intern with a field you want to pursue.

3) Budget and save the rest. Put it in an account you can't touch.

4) Save, save, save and house hack as soon as you are able.

5) Finish school strong even if you are not going to college.

Mohammed Rahman · Answer

That’s a solid first post, Jackson, and the fact that you’re even asking this at 16 already puts you way ahead of the game. If I could go back to that age, I’d tell myself a few things:

First, don’t underestimate time. Compounding is your best friend, whether that’s compounding money in investments or compounding knowledge and relationships. Start stacking skills early—sales, communication, finance, negotiation—because those never go out of style and transfer into every business you’ll ever touch.

Second, get into the habit of saving and investing right away. Even if it’s just a couple hundred bucks from a part-time job, get used to living below your means. At 16, you have zero expenses and tons of time, so build the discipline now.

Third, get around the right people. You can shortcut years by finding mentors, working under investors, or even offering to help for free just to be in the room. Don’t chase money in your first job, chase the skills and network.

Lastly, don’t let fear of losing passion stress you out. Passion tends to come from competence—you’ll stay excited about real estate or finance if you’re good at it and seeing results. Just keep trying things, stay consistent, and keep moving forward.

If I were you today, I’d start some kind of hustle that builds cash flow (even small), consume everything you can on real estate and finance, and find people in your area already doing it. By the time you’re 21, you’ll be lightyears ahead.

Syed Ahmed · Answer

Love this question. At 16, the biggest advantage you have is time and the freedom to experiment. If I could go back, I’d focus on learning skills that compound in value over decades  things like sales, negotiation, and financial literacy. I’d also start building relationships early because the people you meet can open just as many doors as the money you save. Real estate will still be here when you’re ready, so right now stacking cash, studying markets, and maybe even shadowing or working with investors in your area can put you years ahead of the curve

Michael Murphy · Answer

My advice to my 16-year old self would be:

1 - Don't get married

2 - Listen to the guy that told you to buy Apple in 2003.  He wasn't as crazy as you thought.

3 - Pursue a career you can practice anywhere.  You don't want to get locked into a career that requires you to live in a high-cost location.

4 - Set goals and realize that you get satisfaction from hitting them not from the material rewards.

5 - Listen closely and try to learn from others instead of trying to impress them with your own knowledge.

6 - Take care of yourself physically.  Keep going to the gym after high school and college.

Aaron Zimmerman · Answer

I would say to educate as much as possible and try to hustle to earn as much income in your early years. Live frugally and try to get into the game as soon as you can. If you have to partner, do it

Jackson Cole · Answer

@Syed Ahmed Hi Syed! Thanks so much for your advice, I will take that to heart. Great to hear from you.

Advice To Your 16 Year Old Self??

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