Learn to balance a check book even if you never write checks. It doesn't matter what form you use... any money coming in and going out of your account keep track of. It's vital to your financial security. It's tricky to earn credit, but you'll need a credit score. It's actually better to have bad credit than no credit.. it's rather funny that way. How I started to get credit was my mom had me put her bills and loans and all sorts of things in my name or jointly. She was very ill when I was teen so she was actually preparing me to take over her finances when she no longer could do them herself, but I'm glad she did that. It taught me a lot and gave me credit. Another way is set up allotments. Buy high priced items like jewelry and set up allotment to come out of your pay check. There are a lot of ways to build credit.. just never have more than one credit card.. none is better but if you must... no more than one and don't' get the first card that comes in the mail. Look for a credit card with no or low fees.. look for one with a lowest rates. You can negotiate a lot of things in life. Your rent, your credit card, and so on. The worst thing they can do is deny you, but you can try again. You'll be surprised what you can negotiate. If you find yourself in debt do not ignore the creditors or the collectors. You can negotiate with them.. they just want their money they don't want your house, car, or whatever it is you bought. Speak with a manager no one else. Ask to defer payment, reduce payments or whatever it is you need done and they'll work with you. Death in the family.. lost your job... whatever they'll understand.
Now the best advice of all. YOU are responsible for your own happiness. No house, boyfriend, kids, job, materialistic thing is going to give you happiness. Happiness is not a thing or place or a person. Happiness is a state of mind. You have to be positive and look at things positively. You have live in the moment for happiness to happen. The past is over nothing can be done to change it. Learn your lesson from it and move on.The future isn't here yet so no need to worry about it. Live for the here and now. Make the best of it as you can. The future will take care of itself as long as you live presently.
You cannot please everyone. Some way some how you'll disappoint, anger, irritate, or some how create an enemy no matter what you do. If you try to do something for someone else's happiness all the time you'll end up miserable in the long run. You need to do what you like to do and what you want to do. You need to make you happy. No one can prevent you from happiness except you.
Love yourself for who you are right now. In ten.. twenty years you'll get wrinkles, unwanted hair in places you couldn't yet imagine that you didn't have before and disappearing from places you rather have it, your butt, breasts, and skin with start to sag, you'll gain weight in places you don't want it and lose it in others you rather not... right now at 21 you look your best you ever could. Embrace your 21 year old body and your sharp 21 year old mind. Don't waste it getting wasted. Don't waste it on some guy that doesn't treat you right. Love yourself. No one can love you properly until you love yourself first and best. Treat yourself right. And go after the guys that will too. Make friends that encourage you and support you.. not negative witches.
Being a little bit selfish is healthy for you. Take a day off once in a while just for you. You don't have to do anything elaborate. Just do what you want to do and have it your day.
There is no shame if you actually live up to any stereotype. Embrace it with humor. There is a reason why it's a stereotype.. you aren't the only one.