The greatest lesson I learned in My 20s

Your 20s are a wild ride—friends, parties, late nights, dating, and endless hours at work. It’s a time of freedom, fun, and figuring life out. But looking back, there was one major temptation that cost me big time: finding ways to get rich quick.

I’m not talking about hitting the casino or playing poker with friends. I’m talking about something more subtle but just as dangerous—betting hundreds of dollars on sports, throwing thousands into penny stocks (equivalent to crypto/NFT today), and hoping to strike gold overnight. It felt exciting, like I was just one lucky break away from financial freedom. But in reality, it was a losing game that drained my time, energy, and money.

If I could go back, I’d do things differently. Instead of chasing fast money, I’d invest in the S&P 500 or solid companies I truly believe in. I’d let my money grow over time rather than gambling it away on short-term hype.

Here’s my advice: Be an investor, not a trader. Play the long game. And if you truly want to see blessings come back to you, consider giving to charity instead—because generosity pays off in ways money never can.

Your 20s are about building, not gambling. Learn from my mistakes, and set yourself up for real success.