Financial Regrets, I've Had A Few

I’ve compiled my top seven financial regrets. If only I knew than what I know now about personal finance I'd be rich beyond my wildest dreams. Take these lessons and don't make the same mistakes:

1. Using Credit Cards - I got my first credit card in my twenties and my second one a couple of years later. I wish I hadn't. My credit cards were used as an extension of my income and to fund my bad spending habits until both cards were full of debt.

2. Taking out Loans - To gain my independence I financed my car through a loan. I should have waited and saved up instead of using car finance.

3. Buying a House - Sometimes I think I shouldn't have bought a house and continued to rent for longer, maybe even move back in with my parents for a year or two to save money. I love my two bedroom pad however buying a home is a big decision that involved higher bills, repairs and maintenance.

4. Not Maxing Out My Pension - While I've always paid into a company pension I should have increased my pension contributions sooner. Doing so would have ensured that I invested more into my retirement every month. That extra money should have been growing and making more money.

5. Under Earning - For a long time I didn't realise my earning potential in my career. I lacked confidence and wasn't sure what field of IT I should specialise in. My roles were mainly support and service desk work. Until I moved into Cyber Security I didn't really find rewarding work with a higher salary that paid me what I has worth.

6. Not Living on Less -. When my income went up so did my spending and waste levels. I seemed to be always chasing to buy more stuff when I didn't need to. Budgeting and being more frugal never crossed my mind, spending was my weakness when I could have lived on a lot less and curbed my spending.

7. Not Dealing with Debt - My debts were ignored for a long time. I wish I would have learned about money management and the damage that debt does to your wealth sooner. I let them build up and get out of control.

My financial lessons have been learned. What are your financial regrets?