#1 Look after you health
Firstly, if you live in the western world then most likely you probably weigh 10-15kg more that you should, so make that your first priority. If you can't jog around the block, then make that your second goal. Being physically fit will save you from needless medical bills, persevere you looks and help prevent Alzheimer's. Its no point worrying about retiring at 70 if you you don't making it to 60.
Probably especially important if you're in the US where healthcare costs can be catastrophic.
I just got a walking treadmill for my standing desk as a way of getting more exercise in. I don't mind walking, I just hate that it's so boring and seems such a waste of my time. So doing it while I'm still productive feels better.
Cutting down on alcohol is an instant health win and also saves you money - just think about what it really is, a voluntary high tax you choose to pay to the government. Who would want to pay that?
#3 Stop buying crap.
Yes ... stop impulse buying. Fast food, fashion sneakers, smart phones ... what ever does not last 5 years.
Always remember that shiny new thing will become the old outdated tat that you have stuck in a draw that you don't use anymore. Some things are worth buying, and some things are worth paying to get a quality version of, but don't buy anything for appearance or because you "want" it.
I read a good trick recently which was to calc. how many times you'd use something, and if it averages less than $1 per use it was OK. Just something to make you stop and question it's utility value. The other trick is a self-imposed waiting period based on the cost of the item, like # of days or weeks per certain $ of cost. Often the impulse goes away if we just wait long enough, and many of the fancy new things turn out to be crap if you wait for the reviews to come in (Apple VR, Rabbit R1 AI and many
#4 Buy gold
Buy gold bullion. Don't invest in shares, don't invest in anything that give you just a piece of paper, just buy 99.999% gold. Why? Gold from the dawn of time is the ONLY asset that offers protection from ANY kind of economic problem. Save every cent and as soon as you can buy a 1/2oz gold ingot or a 1oz gold coin. Then save more and buy another one ... and then another. Don't let others care for your wealth.
Bitcoin has also done quite well and now there are ETFs or equivalent in many countries is a far less risky investment than it once was.
But definitely real gold rather than paper - I read there is something like 30 times more gold owned than exists, because it's re-sold. Plus you never know if someone selling you the "share" really has it in their vaults and hasn't sold the same claim to other people.
Costco has started selling gold bars and can't keep them in stock.
The only downside to gold is that it isn't really rare - if the price goes up the miners mine more and vice versa (often in environmentally devastating ways), plus it could be mined from asteroids or comets at some point. Bitcoin is rare across the entirety of the universe. But you can't hold it and stroke it like you're Smaug as you can with gold, LOL.
