Is 15 too young to decide you want to join the military when you become of age?
That's great and all, but how about your ASVAB? That's the first thing you do when you go to MEPS. And have you started talking to a recruiter? If you tell them you wanna join now, then once you do become a senior in high school, it should be a breeze to get in (for those that didn't know, you can actually go to Basic during summer of your last year in high school). But the first thing you need to worry about is study, study, study. Especially in today's Army. You won't get anywhere without some sort of degree, if you want to make it a career. Anyways, it's a very good lifestyle to get into. The military will look out for you, and you can get a lot of benefits if you can play your cards right. You can never start to early when it comes to thinking about your future. Just don't neglect the present.
I'm a 21 year old, ex military, now in college trying to figure out how to invest my money. I've decided mutual funds are good for me due to their lower volatility. How do I choose when to invest in those mutual funds, and are they truly the best route for me?
First of all - Congratulations for making this decision and being thoughtful about it. Mutual Funds are good but can be expensive, charge high transaction fees (the cost of purchasing a fund) and have high minimum initial investment amounts. I suggest opening a brokerage account through Schwab, Fidelity, E*Trade or the like, use their asset allocation tool to help you decide how much goes in to the various asset classes and then implement that allocation using ETF (Exchange Traded Funds). Be aware of the management fess, but iShares and Vanguard have a great selection of low cost ETFs that will give you broad diversification at a low cost. There are lots of ETFs with all sorts of bells and whistles these days. Stick to the basics at this point until you can understand the various extras (Beta, Leverage, Low Vol, Alpha etc.) The important part is using the asset allocation tool to get the mix right. Good luck and all the best with college.
I want to start my own business but I am only 14 years old. I don't know the least bit about running my own company. What can I do today to prepare for my future?
You can start selling services or reselling products right away without a steep learning curve. Find something that you're passionate about, define the target audience and start interacting and selling to your prospects.There are different types of businesses, so look around, browse the Internet and compile a list of services that don't require a solid initial investment. Find a business mentor and start learning about freelancing and running a small business. There are plenty of different aspects of forming a business - dealing with sales, marketing, product development or service structuring, pricing, accounting, management and so forth. Read more about startups and how they took an idea from the ground and turned it into a successful business. Follow entrepreneurs and business owners on social networks and read what they share, and see how their products and services operate. Watch shows like Shark Tank or Startups USA, attend local business meetups if possible or business classes at school or the local university.As you grow your network and learn more about building a business, it would be much easier to build a simple business plan and start selling services. You will likely have to develop a new skill, so you can also consider an internship or joining a community in your field.
What would happen if a 15 year old takes a Plan B pill?
15 year olds can use Plan B. It was only made over the counter a few years ago anyway. Before that, EVERYONE had to go to their doctor and get a prescription for it. Then, they said anyone 18 and older could buy it over the counter, and not too long ago (maybe a year ago) they made it available over the counter for anyone 17 years old and older. If she is 15, technically she is suppose to she a doctor and get a prescription for it. But, like many younger people do, they get older friends/boyfriends to buy it for them. It's technically illegal, but a lot of people do it. It's not going to harm her though. She may experience the symptoms you describe or she might not. Everyone is different and reacts differently to medication. Take care!
Should I join the military to learn discipline?
Joining the military JUST to learn self-discipline may not the right path. However, not only can the military change your life, it’s guaranteed to, just not necessarily in the way you are asking.There is a misunderstanding about the military and self-discipline. The military will demand that you demonstrate discipline, and it will put you through disciplinary proceedings if you are unable or unwilling to do so, but it won’t give it to you. If you are envisioning something along the lines of a college course like “Self-Discipline 101 - Exploring Modes of Personal Restraint and Denial” or some such, it’s not going to happen that way.Self-discipline happens when a long-term goal you want to achieve is more important than immediate gratification. For instance - you have to have at least some measure of self-discipline or you wouldn’t be graduating with a bachelor’s degree - a four-year (or more) undertaking. Do you have a job or jobs? If yes, have you been fired for not showing up to work or not doing what the boss asked? No? You have some self -discipline. Do you maintain some kind of exercise routine? You have some discipline.You say you want to start a business, but don’t have the discipline. I say you you don’t have the right business idea. If you hit on one that really fires you up, to the point you’ll set immediate desires aside in order to make the business succeed, you’ll discipline yourself and make it happen.
Should I join the military?
I'am 17 turning 18 in a few months and finishing school in a few months. I don't have or want to get a job. I don't want to go to collage, I have no plan for after school. So I started thinking why not join the military, seems like a good place to start after high school. They'll give me a job, housing, pay, benefits, chance to get away from home/family a fresh start and so on. So should I?
15 year old girl. I want to join the army?
You've plenty of time to make your decision. Just stay in school and concentrate on your education. You can browse the various service web sites to get an idea of what's going on. Stay away from drugs and bad company and remember that any advice you get here is probably worth as much as...well you think about it. Everyone has an opinion, what makes anyone else's advice better than your own. Good luck to you