There are so many things that are important to know as you get older. If there are some fundamental things you don’t know how to do, there’s no better time than today to learn how to do them. Whether you need to figure out how to change the oil in your car or how to avoid a fistfight, there are so many online resources that can teach you these very necessary skills. To learn about all of the things you should know, keep reading.
1. How to Change Your Car Oil
If you don’t know how to change your oil, now is a better time than ever to learn. If you find yourself asking questions like, “how much oil does my car need” or “is it possible to change my oil myself?” then get ready to learn. Changing your oil is a valuable skill to have, especially because it’s easy to do and cheap.
You don’t have to be a mechanic or a car specialist to know how to change your oil. In fact, it’s something that everyone can easily learn. Once you learn how to change your own oil, you won’t have to go into a mechanic every few months and pay upwards of $20, instead, you’ll be able to do it for the price of the oil and filter, which is a lot cheaper.
2. How to Change a Lightbulb
If you don’t know how to change a lightbulb, you’re in luck, because this one is really easy. For most regular lightbulbs, all you have to do is unscrew the bulb (make sure that the lamp or light is turned off first) and screw in a new one. For some types of lightbulbs, it may be more complicated, but for simple screw-in bulbs, you’ll have the hang of it in no time at all. Just don’t forget to turn the light off first, because lightbulbs can be incredibly hot to the touch!
It’s also important to know how to dispose of your lightbulbs, but this changes depending on the brand and the type of lightbulb, so read the package they came in for the correct disposal method.
3. How to Open a Savings Account
As you get older, it’s important to have a savings account so you can set aside a portion of your paycheck each week. Saving is incredibly important, as you never know when you’re going to have an emergency that you might have to pay for. You may also want to save up for specific things, like buying a house or a car. With a savings account, it’s much easier to accomplish these goals.
Most people will open a savings account at the bank they use for their checking account, but you don’t have to do this. Sometimes other banks have better interest rates, so you may want to look into opening a savings account with another bank.
4. Talk to a Stranger
Many millennials have anxiety, which means talking to strangers can be hard for some of them. However, it is a necessary skill. So, whether you’re learning how to talk to strangers or learning how to treat your anxiety so it’s easier to talk to strangers, good job! It’s really scary to approach new people, but it’s something we’re required to do all the time. Whether that means making an appointment with your doctor or making a new friend, you’ll be glad you know how to do it.
5. Speak in Front of an Audience
As a child (and a teenager), many people are terrified of speaking in front of audiences. This is something that can generally be avoided as a young adult, but as you grow older, speaking in front of audiences is just a part of daily life. Whether you work for a company that requires presentation, or you have a lot of friends, you should learn how to speak in front of an audience or crowd. Not only will it help you in your professional life, but it can also help you feel more confident in your personal life.
6. Change a Tire
There’s nothing more annoying than getting caught in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire. To avoid this, you should learn how to change a tire. All cars come with a small donut in their trunk, so you’ll always have something to change out your flat for. Sure, you can use AAA and call them when you have a flat, but what if you’re somewhere that doesn’t have cell service, or what if your phone is dead?
To avoid getting caught in a situation like that, learn how to change a tire as soon as possible.
7. Do Your Laundry
Doing laundry is a fundamental skill that everyone should know. If you’ve managed to move out of your family’s house without learning how to do your laundry, it’s time to learn now. You can easily learn how to do your laundry by looking at your washer and dryer, but there are a few things that your unit won’t tell you. Like, what’s the difference between cold cold and hot cold? Should you separate your clothes based on color, or does it not really matter?
8. Grocery Shop for a Week’s Worth of Meals
Being able to feed yourself is really important, and it’s something that many people don’t know how to do. With Door Dash and Uber Eats within reach, it’s so easy to order food delivery and forget about cooking meals in your home. However, eating at home isn’t just healthier, it’s also cheaper. By learning how to cook a week’s worth of food for yourself, you’ll be able to spend less money on food. It may be hard to find recipes you love, especially if you’re a picky eater. However, there are so many options out there for you, you’re bound to find something you love.
9. Win or Avoid a Fistfight
This may seem like a weird thing, but it’s an important skill to have. You don’t want to find yourself caught in the middle of a bar fight. When you’re an adult, fighting is more serious. You can get arrested for assault if you get mixed up in a bad fight, so it’s important to know how to win or avoid a fistfight. The best option will always be to avoid one, but if you really have to get involved, you better know how to win.
10. Handle a Job Interview
Job interviews are, unfortunately, a very important part of growing up. When you’re looking for a new job, you’ll need to go through the application and interview process over and over again until you receive an offer. Whether you’re interviewing for a completely new position or for a promotion, it’s important to know how to speak to interviewers, answer questions, and ask questions.
Once you nail the art of interviewing, you’ll be able to get any job you want (granted you’re also qualified).
How to Keep Learning as You Age
While this is a great list of things that you should know as an adult millennial, there are always more things to learn. If you take anything away from this, it’s that you should always be learning, no matter what.