Are you a single guy in search of a few guidelines for saving money, finding a mate, planning for retirement, enjoying a fun social life, and finding the ideal work-life balance? If so, you’re like many other men who have chosen to be single for the time being and who want to get the most out of the solo lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits-all system for navigating singlehood, but staying socially engaged and keeping an eye on personal finances are two reliable ways to start. Additionally, it typically helps to be diligent about dating, planning for retirement as a single person, and avoiding the common impulse to become overly devoted to your job. Use the following suggestions as a general roadmap for building a rewarding lifestyle while single.
Stay Socially Connected
It’s easy to fall into a rut of staying home on weeknights after long days of work and sleeping in on Saturdays and Sundays. Unfortunately, a large number of unmarried guys take the path of least resistance and get into the habit of being non-social. Try setting a goal of taking part in at least two social activities per week. That means in-person, fun get togethers that don’t take place in bars or restaurants. Take dance lessons, join hiking clubs, go to movies with your church group, or create your own events and invite others.
Be Financially Responsible
Even though you don’t have children and a wife, it’s still imperative to use a detailed monthly budget and keep expenses as low as possible. In addition to watching what you spend on social events, explore the idea of refinancing your student loan to take advantage of better terms, more favorable interest rates, and additional time to pay. Professional men often turn to Earnest student loan refinancing to get the job done, refinance their old obligation, and pay much less each month. Wisely handling your school debt is a big part of being financially responsible as a single adult.
Screen Potential Mates
When it comes to serious dating, men can learn a vital lesson from women. When females decide to seek husbands in the digital age, they do background checks, look at social media sites, ask mutual acquaintances about guys they’re interested in. Plus, women often use a one-year rule when dating. Namely, they don’t consider marriage until they’ve been seeing someone exclusively for at least one year. Guys should employ all the same guidelines to winnow out unworthy candidates from the dating pool. The dos and don’ts of relationships will of course vary from person to person but taking time to do that initial screening can save you a lot of headaches and wasted time.
Plan for the Future
You might say to yourself you don’t plan on having a wife or children, so why should you care much about life insurance and long-term financial planning? First, everyone needs to plan for retirement unless they intend to work forever. Second, life insurance serves many purposes, including a savings function, the chance to leave a legacy to a charitable organization, and a resource for borrowing against the cash value of a policy, should the need arise. Finally, don’t fall into the workaholic lifestyle, which can be a trap for anyone who lives alone.
