5 Things We Need As Adults Nobody Thought To Teach Us In High School | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

5 Things We Need As Adults Nobody Thought To Teach Us In High School

Have you used the Pythagorean Theorem yet? Did we learn all we should have in high school?

215
5 Things We Need As Adults Nobody Thought To Teach Us In High School
acearchie / Flickr

In high school, we learn a lot of things, but we do not learn what I think we should learn. I haven’t used the Pythagorean Theorem yet in my adult life. But, we should have learned the things we will actually need to know as an adult.

1. Cars

Oh My Gosh

We have to buy insurance for our car — if you want full coverage, that is about $120 to $140. We have to buy windshield wipers for our cars and those are about $20. We have to get an oil change and tire rotation every three months - oil change is about $30 and a tire rotation depends, but I looked the other day and a place had it for $11. Tires have to be bought every once in a while — about $200 per tire and then add getting them put on the car with balancing and you have another $150. Lastly, you have to buy the sticker that goes on the tag every year; if you live in Tuscaloosa City it is more expensive than Tuscaloosa County and mine is about $90 every year.

All those prices add to $1,221. I didn’t add that I have the rear windshield wipers, plus the front windshield wipers, so that’s an extra $20 for me.

2. Taxes

Did you know that when you make about $600 a month based on your hourly wage… you don’t actually get $600? You get maybe $400 of it. That’s a lot of money you are missing out on because of taxes.

From about February to April, you have to file your taxes. This is the time when the government and the state determines whether they owe you money or you owe them money. They could owe you money and it be great! Or you could owe them money and you have to come up with that money before April.

3. Bills

I still live at home with my parents; however, when I graduated high school, I didn’t realize you had to pay for so much to live on your own. I understood that rent was to be paid, in addition to phone, electricity, water, cable, and internet bills. But, I didn’t realize you had to pay for trash.

Hopefully phone and internet and cable can be combined into one price but usually, electricity and water are separate.

4. Food


You try to eat healthily and it costs you an arm and a leg. You don’t eat healthily and it costs you an arm and a leg because it runs out quicker and it’s not as good for your body.

You realize, as an adult, that you can’t eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. You have to cook large meals and possibly freeze the rest to eat throughout the week. You have to take your lunch every day to save money.

5. Saving and Debt

While I was in high school, I never saved money. I always figured I could do that later. Now, I wish I would have saved money. I would have been able to pay outright for some things instead of getting into debt over it. Also, debt is real. Debt collectors are real people who annoy you until you give them money.

Being an adult is hard. I never expected it to be this stressful or this expensive…

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

10 Wonderful Things About The Holidays

Some of the best things about the upcoming holiday season.

1238
christmas decoration

As the holidays approach, there are many wonderful things that start to appear. From weather to food and even to the decorations, there are so many wonderful things about the holidays.

1. Cold Weather

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

14 Thoughts Every College Student Has During Winter Break

The most common: "Is it time to go back to school yet?"

3552
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Little Changes You Can Make That Will Have a Big Impact On The Enviroment

Simple switches to eco-friendly habits could add up and have a positive effect on the environment!

676
flower in hand
PxHere

In the past decade, there has been a recent surge of compassion for the environment. Many people are beginning to realize how much of a negative impact their daily lives have on the environment. In case you weren't aware the average person has about four pounds of trash per day and American's make up only 5% of the world population and produce a startling 40% of the world's waste. If you care about the environment, here are some smalls changes you can make that will have a big impact!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

4947
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments