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| quote: | Originally posted by AnotherWay83
i dunno man. just because you can't easily attach a monetary value to your memories and experiences, or perhaps have something tangible in front of you as a reminder or signifier of some sort, doesn't mean they're worthless, as you seem to be implying. maybe in your particular case as per your own assessment, it was all stupid and easily forgettable and that sucks. but for me all the good times i had in my earlier days, even tho they cost a heck of a lot, were totally worth it and if i had to go back i'd do it (and them  ) again.
now if you were to argue that the same amount of fun could've been had for much cheaper, that would be more interesting. but you can always chalk that up to "being young and clueless"  |
Oh yea, don't get me wrong, I had a blast and won't forget the memories.
It's funny, because there was another dude in my unit who saved all the money he made in South Korea because he wanted a new Cadillac when he got back to the states more than anything else. In my eyes, he was being financially responsible while I was blowing it all.
Long story short, he came back home and bought that brand new Cadillac. A month later it flipped over in the rain and he broke his neck. He totaled his Cadillac and he spent 6-12 months sitting at home doing rehab sessions, from what I last heard from him.
So, yea, I definitely cherish the times I had and memories I have from those "young and dumb" days. I think the army kind of set me up for financial irresponsibility once it gave me that much money in a country like South Korea, but at the same time spending an awesome year there and having that money to blow just made the experience that much better.
Considering the position I'm in, I can't complain really. I fucked my credit up, blew my money, but I'm still in a position where in five years - after I pay my student loans off - I could have great credit and be "financially free" to start investing and saving for the bigger and better things in life.
So back to your point, I agree. I wouldn't do anything different because when I'm in my 30s and have my fuck-ups from my early 20s fixed I'll be telling people how awesome they were and how much fun I had living on the wild side. Not everyone can recover like that or "snap out of it" before it really messes up their future. I was lucky enough to do so.
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