💰 Money Things I Wish I Knew In My 20s | Aja Dang 

I feel like community college isn’t talked about enough. I went to community college for 2 years to complete my gen eds and transferred my credits to a 4-year university. My community college was free because I received a scholarship for doing well in high school. I still got the college experience of moving away for my last 2 years!

Omg! 36? I just turned 33. You look beautiful! I just finished grad school and luckily am interviewing for a job that will pay back 40k on my loans, and I’m using your videos to get rid of my debt in 2-3 years. You are inspiring 🙏🏼. And totally agree with everything you said! I wasted so much time and money in my 20s

I'm currently 27 and seriously started saving money since I was 22, having a big goal which is buying a house is what keeps me going. I'm buying my dream house end of this year. Watching your financial journey to being debt free inspires me

If one has to take out student loans for undergrad I would recommend going to state school…and pick a major that is pretty much guaranteed to get a job

Happy birthday Aja! I’m currently 25 and am very fortunate that my family took a finance class together (Dave Ramsey seminars) and although I didn’t understand or see much value when I went at 19.. I’m so glad I did bc I refer back to it + utilize other strategies from videos like yours! I feel behind regarding some stuff (I live at home w my parents still) but I know I’m one of the only people in my friend group who financially has been taking steps for the future because I’m the one usually telling others what I’ve done and what steps I’ve taken. Thank you for always sharing and being honest with your journey ❤️

I remember the vlog you looked at your student loan debt at the time it was posted and then watched your journey to be debt free, and everytime i watch your content it is INSANE to see you thriving and doing so well after all of that. The dedication you have is something I envy, well done! Watching these videos always makes me appreciate the hardworking person you are.

Aja! I am obsessed with your new hair cut it looks fab❤. I would love a video regarding how to properly maintain a credit card. Can you also cover secured credit card too! I hope you have an awesome birthday beautiful girl 🎉

I can resonate with you Aja. I reflect on all the money I could have saved in my 20's

I'm in my 30's now and I gotta admit that I actually wasn't very savvy with my budgeting in my 20's. Not that I was in massive debt besides student loans, but I remember I would tell myself that I don't need to be so strict with my budget since I wasn't earning that much from my first job after graduating from grad school. I had the mentality that I will make more later, so I rewarded myself with shopping and luxury items. Thinking back, I spent a lot of money on things that I didn't use long term and I could've saved that money to pay back my student loan faster. The mindset of not being too strict with budgeting when not earning very much wasn't helpful. When I later earned more, I became more serious with my finance because I felt stuck with my student loans and didn't feel that I was making a lot of progress. When I finally put my foot down and learned to expand my income, get a side hustle, and identify a date to pay off all my loans, I made it to the finish line with no more student loans. Now, I turned my side hustle into my full time job and quit my day job knowing that I can further expand. My next goal is to buy my own property. So all in all, I could've made different choices in my 20's, but learned a lot from that. Thanks for sharing, Aja! And happy birthday!!

Happy birthday!! I will say, working during school actually had so many non monetary benefits for me. I was better at managing my time and my social schedule and somehow got the best grades of college when i was working 2 jobs. But the biggest thing was that because I paid for my living expenses with that money, it significantly reduced the debt I took out! My last year of school I cut back to one job and took out more debt and interestingly my grades didn’t do as well. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Love the tips! Currently 25, I’ve been working full time since I graduated from undergrad and go to grad school part time. I’ve been saving the last 3 years and been putting it into high yield savings and it’s such a game changer!! I wish I did this when I started working in my part time waitress job in college.

Please keep making these videos! I am learning so much that I can then teach my daughter so that she has great financial health! Happy Birthday 🎉🎉🎉

I went to community college for 2 years & transferred to university for my last 2. I’m going into my last year at university and am on a “pay-as-you-go” payment plan in which I make monthly payment for classes. I finished saving up my entire college tuition last year. It is 100% possible to graduate college without student loans! While it may be harder for some people (for example, I was living at home while saving for school so my living expenses were very low), everyone can go to school debt free by choosing inexpensive schools and working while in college. The biggest privilege is the privilege to make excuses instead of working hard. Loving all the comments of other debt free college students and graduates! Wishing everyone the best!

Happy birthday Aja!!! Please make a video on how to work a credit card 🙏🏻

aja i stared watching you when covid hit back in march 2020 (can't believe we are coming up on the 3 year mark!). those were such scary times for me after getting laid off immediately from my job. you've singlehandedly changed my entire personal finance journey and taught me financial literacy. i wanted to say thank you for that, and i'm so grateful for your content 💗

I vouch for community college for the first 2 years if you want to go to college - I saved so much and had a program where all of my credits transferred. Beware the credit cards & apple pay. Cook as much as possible instead of doing takeout (and go to Aldi)!

Would love a credit card video on how to get the most out of them responsibly!

Yes do a vid about credit card

Happy Birthday, Aja. You don't look a day over 30, especially with that new haircut and great skincare routine.

Happy Birthday Aja! I really loved the "learning about yourself" part of your 20s. Its sooooo hard! xD

I just turned 30. I completely agree with everything u said!

Wow this is so helpful. I didnt know about closing your credit card and how it effects your credit score! Thank you so much

Happiest of birthdays Aja. You just keep getting more and more beautiful all the time

I love how you're sharing your story for others to know more about money things and make changes earlier. It's impressive what you achieved and awesome how you're helping others :)

I would add to be mindful of lifestyle inflation. Especially if you land a high stress but high paying job, that lifestyle inflation can become golden handcuffs real fast.

Please do a video on credit cards. I am also terrified of going into debt from CC’s, but mainly bc I don’t understand them 100%. Researching but your content would help, thank you!

Happy birthday Aja! I’m currently in my 20s ❤ Thank you for these tips

Make a video about how to use credit cards! I could use a refresher and my siblings who are teens could use a lesson too.!

Because of your videos I am already doing most of these things an I am 24 and so grateful to have found your videos a few years ago!!

Happy Birthday Aja! Your video thumbnails are on my vision board 😂 Working towards my fully funded emergency fund! Thank you for your content and being real about money ❤

Happy birthday, queen! 👑✨ this video was so great, I watched it twice already 😅 I’m in my mid-twenties and really want to turn my financial situation around. Thank you for your amazing content, Aja 💕

Thank you so much for being here for us as someone needed in our 20s

Happy birthday! As someone in their 20s, I love this video

Loved this video!! The money tips I would add are understanding good debt vs bad debt and the time value of money! ☺️

Happy Birthday and thank you for another great video! You are truly helping me on my finance journey. I'm in my early 20s but I'm glad that I can use your videos to help guide me.

I just turned 35. My finances during my 20s were all over the place. I actually got a large settlement but I helped my sis paying off a remaining balance to get her degree. I put a large down payment on a very gently used vehicle that I later totaled. I wish I did put a large payment on my student loans because that would’ve saved me so much interest. I definitely could’ve made some better decisions but I was learning and living. Hindsight is nice but I don’t want to shame my younger self. That said, I do believe strongly in mentoring and try to help current college students. Even listening helps.

I appreciate this video so much! I'm in my late 20s now and definitely needed this.

Happy birthday Aja🎉 Man, I’m so happy ALL education is free in my country😊

Happy Birthday Aja!! Your money journey inspired me a lot! ❤

I wanted to work during school but didnt since family wanted me to just focus on school. I regret it since ot would have forced me to balance school better and manage time wisely. It would have been fine to work part time along side school. I would have learned a lot of discipline when it comes to money a whole lot faster.

Happy Birthday Aja❤ Thank you for all the tips! Yes please do a video on how to effectively use a credit card & pay it off in a smart way.

Happy Birthday Aja🎉thank you for the tips!

Happy birthday Aja! Amazing journey and it's always so nice to see all your videos, learning so much💜💙 so thank you so much for sharing

been loving these more "candid" (dunno if that's the right word?) videos! thanks for sharing your honest insights and experiences~

Happy birthday Aja!!! 💕💕💕💕

Happy birthday! Please make a credit card video I’m 25 and lost 😭

Happy Birthday! Thank you for helping me change my life by posting about your journey!

Please make a video about credit card debts and how to pay it off 🥺 thankyouu!

I tell my little sister “nothing you could buy right now for immediate gratification is gonna be equal in worth or value to what you could have in 5,10, 20+ years if you saved it.” That’s not as simple or eloquent as I’d like it to come out but I hope she gets the idea. $100 here or there, a $500 shopping spree yea that all sounds like great fun but a one time investment of $500 accumulating interest for years and the peace of mind that would bring you now & later in life… that’s priceless compared to a dress or a bag etc

Happy Birthday! Wow, I am one year younger than you and everything you said I was like yes me too! I am glad that people who are in their 20s now have this information and hopefully they take at least 1-2 points and start now. If/when I have kids I definitely will try to be proactive with them to build those habits so its not so much of a learning curve when they are independent.

I remember being a freshman in high school and my grandma and I went to TJ Maxx and she bought me a winter jacket that was over $100 and I thought it was so expensive, but I still use it now at 23 years old and it's gotten so much more use then the bunches of cheap coats I could have gotten.

My best advice is get a campus job if you are a student. You will learn how to manage your time between classes and work. Usually most student jobs are 10 to 20 hours max per week. You also get to know faculty and staff in a different way and they and your fellow student workers will help you with the system that every university has. Also with taking up student loans, make up a budget that you think you will make after graduation. Rent, utilities, transportation, food and extras. Then see how much you have left to pay off a student loan. I know of several people who took huge student loans to go to ivy league schools but in all honesty did not get ivy league jobs and 20 years later are still paying off student loans and these are people whose kids are now in college.😢

Happy early birthday Aja! Thank you so much for all of your videos. You have helped me to be debt free and continue to motivate me to keep going. Btw, my other favorite RU-vidr, Sophia Chang, shouted you out in her most recent video! ❤

Happy Birthday 🎂 & Thank You For Making These Kinds Of Videos ,I Have Learnt So Much From Watching Your Channel Over The Years 💛❤️💙

You have no idea how much I needed this video 😂

Happy Birthday!!’🎉

We loved those sparkly Steve Madden shoes

I started a Roth IRA for my daughter when she got her first job in high school. 👍🏽. I plan to do the same for my younger daughter when she starts her first job in high school.

Happy Birthday. Like the way you say Important

I am in my last year of my 20's (actually last 5 months) and I was fortunate to have become debt free at 24 and started investing at 25. But if I could go back to my early 20's I would have definitely not take out any student loans and would have gotten a job at school because they paid more than minimum wage. I would have also started investing before.

Loved this!

Credit card video would be interesting.

I wish I had read I Will Teach You To Be Rich when I got my first out of college job. I'm reading it now and I've already learned a lot of what's in the book already by trial and error but if I had just read it back then I would be in a totally different place now!

I would have liked to know to buy more second hand and things like the real real where you can find classic high end at the same price of new cheaper clothes (like DVF dresses at 31$!).

Really interesting video and happy birthday….I feel lucky that in Ireland college is 3k per year for everyone….

Please please please make a video about credit cards!!! Happy birthday btw :)) 🎉🎉

HBD … 36 ! Ur fabulous 👌🏽✨❤️

although working while being in undergrad does help you out a lot financially, just keep in mind that your social life in college will be severely impacted

New subscriber🎉

Credit card video please

What are some high yield savings account you would recommend right now?

Can you do a video on how to open a Roth IRA, it’s one of my goals to open one this year but I’m unsure on how to go about it.

Happy bday! So your major was marketing/journalism? Do you think it was worth it for the work you do now? Would you still do it if you go back in time?

Love the thumbnail!!!!

aja this whole time i thought you younger than your age!!! you are beautiful!

What about closing a credit card because I never use this specific one.Main thing was its ANNUAL FEE! I only choose non-fee card now

I wish I saw this in my 20s.. 😭

Happy 36th Birthday! I wish I would have NEVER BOUGHT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF cheap clothes and accessories. I also wished I would have never taken out extra money from my student loans to live off of and tricked off the rest on unnecessary crap that I have nothing to show for in my 30(s)! To all t the people in their twenties watching this video, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!

Shirt shirt shirt. Where’d you get that shirt?

Youre giving major marilyn monroe vibes here 💚💚

PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE CREDIT CARD VIDEO

so when i can close a credit card? would it be never 😅

Okay but selfishly, if you hadn't tackled/talked about your debt repayment in your videos when you did, it may not have motivated ME to pay mine off as fast as I did...so maybe it all worked out haha!

Do you not pay interest on student loans until you graduate? It would probably be cheaper to pay off any interest as you go instead of saving 10k to stop the compound interest?

please do a video on psychology of women and money/finance - would love to learn about societal expectations of women in patriarchies and how that affects us and money

does anyone have the link or know the title to the video she referenced at the end of hers to watch?

I’m sorry… 36?!??! Girlllll you look literally 25

I’m so happy I have came across your YT channel back when I was in high school because you are truly an inspiration. I remember DM’ing you on ig in 2017 about how you manage bills/debt, transitioning into an adult, etc. - you responded and spoke about your debt on your YT. Which really helped me in my early & mid 20’s to be more wise in my finances. Likewise thank you so much again Aja for being so open about your struggles and being real with us. Also Happy Birthday!! 🤍

YAS YAS YAS! Snaps for Aja! @ my 20 year-old-self for real. Totally what I wish i knew then. Great advice!

36 is looking amazing on you 🫶🏻

my advice: start your Roth IRA now!!

The gap year is a big thing now I believe. I graduated with my bachelors in 2019 and all my teachers were preaching the importance of a gap year. How it could help you and save you money and time. Best advice given. I’m 25 and I’m in my masters haha. I’m trying to rope my debt together. I’ll end up with about 75k debt after my masters is complete

You’ve mentioned that it took you quite some time to build back up your credit score. Maybe you can make a video about that? Things you did in building up your credit score. 🤍

Credit card video please