10 Difficult Decisions You'll Make in Life (and How to Make Them)
Life is full of big moments and big decisions. But fret not, from deciding where to live to finding your true calling, here's some advice to help you along the way.
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- The first big decision you'll probably have to make in your young adult life is which college—or, even earlier, high school—to go to, but that might also depend on the area you're interested in studying. Overall, college rankings aren't that dependable, so the more important question might be: what do you want to major in? Explore multiple majors in your early years, consider your job prospects, and do some other detective work to make the best college major choice you can (given the information you have at the time). It might also be worth knowing the difference in income for different college majors.
How to Choose a College Major When You're Stuck
Choosing a college major is a big decision that—if made hastily—can land you in an unemployment - Decide on a Career
College majors and degrees often correlate with occupation, but not always (see every English major like myself who isn't doing something directly related to English literature). Degree or not, at one point or another you're going to have to decide what to do with your life. We've just started our career spotlight series so you can get an insider view of what working in different occupations is like, but more generally, here are the things you should consider when deciding which career path to go in.
How to Decide What to Do with Your Life
When you're young, the world is your oyster and opportunities seem endless, but there can be a … - Make a Career Change
Or maybe it's time to jump ship to a different, more rewarding career. (Most people change careers more than once in their lifetime.) These are the things you should know before making the switch—not just income changes but also whether you have the skills and experience to hit the ground running. Switching careers is a huge decision, but inspiring stories of people going to medical school in their forties or otherwise realizing their calling later in life remind us that changing a career can definitely be worth it if you can focus on work you love. - Go Back to School or Get an Advanced Degree
If you're making a career change, you might want or need to go back to school. Or you might be considering grad school to advance your career. This calculator tells you if grad school is financially worth it, and these are the things you should think about if you're considering going back to school (in some cases, you can keep your job and attend classes at the same time—maybe even getting reimbursed for them—which makes the decision a whole lot easier.)
Should I Go to Grad School?
Dear Lifehacker,My undergraduate studies are coming to an end, but I'm not sure I want to… - Figure Out Where to Live
Where you live can have a profound impact on your finances as well as your happiness. (The closer you live to your place of work, the better). If you have the flexibility to work from home, you'll be better off in some cities than in others. Otherwise, check out these maps and other data to help you find the perfect place to settle down.
How Far Your Paycheck Actually Goes, Based on Where You Live
We all know that cities across the country differ in cost of living as well as median income. Want… - Rent or Buy a House
Related: For most of us, housing is our biggest expense. But should you buy a home or does renting make more sense? (Rent prices are all over the map.) Besides the difference in housing costs, you'll need to take into consideration how long you plan on staying in a place, whether you want to customize your pad, and other emotional and financial factors.
Why Renting Makes More Sense than Buying
SmartMoney contributor Jack Hough explains why he believes renting makes more financial sense than… - Who to Go on a Date With
Each individual date might not be a big deal or a big decision, but who knows if that person you ask out for the first time or say yes to dating will turn into your lifelong partner? Try to set realistic expectations when going on a first date, be careful when dating a coworker, and perhaps do some internet sleuthing to find out more about your next date. If you're curious about using online dating services, here's our FAQ on the subject.
Don’t Look for Perfect On a First Date
A lot of us go around trying to find that perfect somebody. Yet the person who completes you very… - Get Married or Not
Then there's marriage, hitching yourself up to another person for (ideally) the rest of your life. Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself before saying yes to marriage, what I wish I had known before getting married, the secrets of the happiest couples, and the mathematical formula for deciding whom to marry (basically date 38.6 percent of the people willing to date you and then choose your partner from further dates that are better than that pool of previous dates. If only marriage was that easy.)
6 Questions You Need to Ask Before Saying Yes to Marriage
To some, getting married is like hitting their own head with a hammer many times 'til it… - Have Children or Not
Among the life-changing events, becoming a parent takes one of the top spots. It's hard to know if having a child is a good decision for you or not, and once you're in the trenches you'll likely experience emotions you didn't expect, like guilt and also incredible pride. There's no math formula for this one, but spending time with others' kids could help you get a better sense if children should be in your future.
10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming a Parent
Raising a child is full of surprises. No matter how many books, parenting forums, and Dr. Sears… - Know When It's Time to Quit (Anything)
Finally, even if you've made the best decisions possible with the information you had at the time, you'll still have to reconsider your choices from time to time, because life is about change. Whether you need to decide on quitting a job or ending a relationship, try to take a step back and objectively ask yourself if you're staying for the wrong reasons, like the "sunk cost fallacy," and if there are more rewarding opportunities for you out there. (Not saying you should always question your marriage or ditch your parenting commitment, of course. Quitting in other areas is a big decision.)