.⋆♱𝕖𝕝𝕨𝕠𝕠𝕕.✮

hello, my name is elwood. im a punk teen who has been struggling with a lot this year. ive made this account to dedicate it as something like a personal diary. share my stories, keep myself on track with the habits im trying to build, and maybe inspire some other people to fix their ways. you could say this is a 2026 rebrand but for an alternative boy instead of the normal clean girls. I plan on posting regular updates, the content consisting of:

○ goals of 2026

○ project pan

○ some of my life stories

○ goal progress

○ hellenic polytheism

○ cleaning

○ vision boards

○ outfit, piercing, and tattoo ideas

○ dreams I have

○ and really just so much more

I hope I can build a community of fellow alt kids who have very few people to look to for glow ups and life resets. im gonna make 2026 my year.

Good News

I have gotten very particular this summer about fixing my life up. This morning, I went outside first thing, took deep breaths, did qi gong, stretched, ate a high protein breakfast, took an in-depth shower, and wore clothes that made me feel confident. Now, this may be unfortunate if you don't want to put in a bunch of effort, but it has jurastically improved my day. I would absolutely recommend it.

Adulting 110

Creating a Will:

• Take inventory of what you own and what you owe.

◦ Real estate: Homes, land, or commercial properties.

◦ Financial accounts: Bank accounts, investment portfolios, and retirement funds.

◦ Personal property: Vehicles, jewelry, family heirlooms, and electronics.

◦ Debts: Mortgages, car loans, or credit card balances (as these will need to be paid out of your estate).

• Decide who you want to inherit your assets. You can name specific individuals (family, friends), organizations, or charities. It’s also wise to name contingent beneficiaries in case your primary choices pass away before you do.

• The executor is the person responsible for managing your estate, paying off any remaining debts, and distributing your assets according to your wishes. Choose someone trustworthy, organized, and willing to take on the responsibility.

• If you have minor children or dependents with special needs, name a legal guardian who will care for them if you are no longer able to do so.

• You have three main options for actually writing the will:

◦ Use an online estate planning service: Companies like Trust & Will, Quicken WillMaker, or LegalZoom offer guided templates that customize the document based on your state's specific laws.

◦ Hire an estate planning attorney: This is highly recommended if you have a complicated estate, a blended family, significant wealth, or fear your will might be contested.

◦ Write it yourself: You can use a basic statutory will template, though you must ensure it strictly adheres to your local legal requirements to be valid.

• To make it official, you must execute it according to your state’s laws:

◦ Sign it: You must sign and date the document in front of witnesses.

◦ Gather witnesses: Most states require two disinterested witnesses (people who are not named as beneficiaries in the will) to sign the document as well.

◦ Notarize it (Optional but recommended): While not always required, adding a "Self-Proving Affidavit" signed by a notary public makes it much easier for the court to validate the will during probate.

• Keep the original document in a secure, fireproof place. Ensure your executor knows exactly where it is and how to access it.

• Accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and life insurance policies have their own designated beneficiaries. The choices you make on those specific account forms will override whatever you write in your will, so make sure those are updated, too.

Adulting 109

Medical:

• Establish Primary Care: Find a local primary care doctor, a dentist, and an optometrist. Get an annual physical and biannual dental cleanings on the calendar.

• Keep Your Own Medical Records: Know your blood type, your vaccination history, and any family medical histories. Keep a digital folder of recent lab results.

• Medical Power of Attorney: Designates who gets to make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated (e.g., knocked unconscious in a car accident).

• HIPAA Release: Allows doctors to share medical updates with your parents or a trusted adult if you are in the hospital.

Adulting 108

Retirement:

• 401(k) Employer Match: If your job offers a 401(k) and matches your contributions (e.g., "we match up to 4%"), contribute at least that amount.

• Roth IRA: If you don't have a workplace retirement plan, open a Roth IRA through a brokerage.

• 4% Rule: This rule states that you can safely withdraw 4% of your total retirement savings in your first year of retirement (and adjust that amount for inflation every year after) without running out of money for at least 30 years.

◦ How to find your "Number": Take your expected annual expenses in retirement and multiply them by 25.

◦ Example: If you determine you can live comfortably on $50,000 a year, you need a total retirement nest egg of $1,250,000 ($50,000 × 25).

• Where does the money come from?

◦ 401(k) / 403(b): Work-sponsored accounts. You withdraw a little bit of this every month.

◦ IRAs (Traditional or Roth): Personal accounts you set up yourself. You withdraw a little bit of this every month.

◦ Standard Brokerage Accounts: Regular stocks, bonds, or index funds. You withdraw a little bit of this every month.

◦ A small percentage of every paycheck you earn goes toward Social Security. When you reach retirement age (currently between 62 and 67), the government starts sending you a monthly check. Social Security is only meant to replace about 40% of your career earnings, so it’s a safety net, not a full retirement plan.

◦ Pensions: Some government, military, or union jobs still offer them (a guaranteed monthly check from your employer for life).

◦ Passive Income: Money from rental properties, royalties, or a small business you own but don't actively run.

Adulting 107

Money:

• Open a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA): Traditional banks pay almost 0% interest. An HYSA pays significantly more, meaning your emergency fund grows passively.

• Establish and Monitor Credit: Open a credit card, use it only for things you can already afford (like groceries or gas), and pay the statement balance in full every single month. Tracking your score via free tools helps you secure lower interest rates on future car loans or mortgages.

• Automate Your Bills: Put your fixed expenses (rent, utilities, phone) on auto-pay linked to your checking account so you never hit a late fee or ding your credit score by accident.

• Right before your next paycheck, put all money into your high yield savings account.

• Gross Income vs. Net Income: Gross: The total amount you earn before taxes and deductions are taken out. (e.g., "I make $25 an hour.") Net: Your actual "take-home pay." This is the money that lands in your bank account after taxes, healthcare premiums, and retirement contributions are subtracted. Always budget based on your net income, not your gross.

• W-4 Form: The tax document you fill out when you start a job. It tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your paycheck. If you withhold too little, you owe the government money at tax time. If you withhold too much, you get a tax refund.

• Credit Score: A three-digit number (usually between 300 and 850) that acts as your "financial GPA." It tells lenders how trustworthy you are with borrowed money. A high score gets you low interest rates on cars and houses, and can even impact your ability to rent an apartment.

• APR (Annual Percentage Rate): This is the total cost of borrowing money, expressed as a yearly interest rate. Lower APR is always better when you are borrowing.

• Principal: The original amount of money you borrowed (for a loan) or invested. If you take out a $10,000 car loan, your principal is $10,000. Your monthly payments pay off a mix of the principal and the interest.

• APY (Annual Percentage Yield): The real rate of return you earn on a savings account or investment in a year, taking into account compound interest (earning interest on your interest). Higher APY is always better when you are saving.

• HYSA (High-Yield Savings Account): A regular savings account, but on steroids. Traditional banks might pay you 0.01% APY on your savings. An HYSA (usually through an online bank) might pay 4% or 5% APY. Keeping your emergency fund in an HYSA means your money grows safely just by sitting there.

• Premium: The amount you pay every month (or year) just to keep an insurance policy active (like health, car, or renters insurance). You pay this whether you use it or not.

• Deductible: The amount of money you have to pay out of pocket for medical care or car repairs before your insurance company kicks in and pays the rest. For example, if you have a $500 car insurance deductible and get into a $2,000 accident, you pay $500, and the insurance covers the remaining $1,500.

Adulting 106

Filing Taxes:

• Gather your personal info and tax forms: Collect your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), along with those of any dependents (like children).

• Gather all forms showing your income from the past year. Employers and financial institutions typically send these out by late January:

◦ W-2: If you are a standard salaried or hourly employee.

◦ 1099-NEC / 1099-MISC: If you did freelance, contract, or side-gig work.

◦ 1099-INT / 1099-DIV: From your bank or brokerage for interest and dividends earned.

◦ 1098-E or 1098-T: For student loan interest or college tuition payments.

• Choose your filing method: Decide how you want to file. Most people use online tax software because it walks you through a simple question-and-answer format:

◦ IRS Free File: If your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less, you can use for free through the official IRS portal.

◦ Direct File/FreeTaxUSA/TurboTax: Trusted online platforms that guide you step-by-step.

◦ Hire a professional (CPA): Consider this if you own a complex business, have rental properties, or had massive life changes.

• Determine your filing status: Your software will ask you to pick a status. This determines your tax brackets and your standard deduction amount. Choose the option that fits your life situation on December 31st of the tax year:

◦ Single: Unmarried.

◦ Married Filing Jointly: Married and filing a single return together.

◦ Married Filing Separately: Married but filing independent returns.

◦ Head of Household: Unmarried, but you pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home for a qualifying dependent.

• Input your income: The software will prompt you section-by-section. Copy the numbers exactly as they appear from your W-2 or 1099 forms into the matching digital boxes. The software uses these numbers to calculate your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

• Claim deductions and credits: Ductions lower your taxable income. You have two choices:

◦ Standard Deduction: A fixed dollar amount given automatically based on your filing status. Roughly 90% of taxpayers take this because it's higher than tracking individual expenses.

◦ Itemized Deductions: Listing out individual deductible expenses (mortgage interest, large charitable donations, medical expenses). Only do this if the total is greater than your standard deduction.

• The software will also check if you qualify for tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit), which directly reduce the amount of tax you owe dollar-for-dollar.

• Review and hit submit: The software will double-check your return for math errors or missing information. Once cleared, it will show your final tally: you will either receive a refund (the government owes you money because you overpaid throughout the year) or you will owe a balance.

• Provide your routing and account numbers for direct deposit (the fastest way to get a refund) or to schedule a payment, then digitally sign and e-file your federal and state returns.

• Important Reminder: The traditional deadline to file your federal income tax return and pay any tax owed is April 15th of each year. If you need more time, you can file for an automatic 6-month extension (giving you until October 15th) using Form 4868, but note that this extends your time to file, not your time to pay any taxes you owe.

Adulting 105

Insurance:

• Health Insurance:

◦ Under Age 26? Stay on your parents' health insurance plan until you turn 26.

◦ Through Your Job: If your employer offers health benefits, human resources will give you sign-up paperwork when you are hired, or during "Open Enrollment" (usually in the fall). The premium is automatically deducted from your paycheck before taxes.

◦ The Government Marketplace: If your job doesn't offer it, go to HealthCare.gov during the Open Enrollment period (usually November to January). You might qualify for subsidies that make it affordable.

• Auto Insurance

◦ Go online to major carriers (e.g., Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, Allstate) or use a site like The Zebra to compare quotes.

◦ What you need to provide: Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), your driver’s license number, and your driving history.

◦ Pro Tip: Opt for a higher deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in, like $500 or $1,000) to lower your monthly premium.

• Renters (or Homeowners) Insurance:

◦ The easiest way to get it is to bundle it with your auto insurance. When you apply for car insurance, click the box that says "Add Renters Insurance." Companies usually give you a multi-policy discount on both.

• Disability Insurance:

◦ The Workplace: Most professional jobs offer Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) as part of their benefits package.

◦ Action: During onboarding or Open Enrollment, check the box for "Long-Term Disability."

◦ Individual Policy: If your job doesn't offer it, you must buy a "private" policy through a broker (e.g., Northwestern Mutual, Guardian).

◦ Action: Search for "disability insurance broker." Be prepared to provide tax returns to prove your income.

• Term Life Insurance:

◦ Workplace "Basic Life": Many jobs give you a policy worth 1x your salary for free.

◦ Action: Name your beneficiary in your HR portal. Even if it's just your parents or a sibling.

◦ Private Term Policy: If you have a mortgage or kids, you need a policy that is 10x–12x your annual income.

◦ Action: Use a comparison site like Policygenius or Term4Sale. You will fill out a health questionnaire, and for larger policies, a nurse might come to your house for a quick medical exam (blood draw/blood pressure).

• 4-Step Action Plan to Get Covered:

◦ Take Inventory & Gather Info: Write down your vehicle's VIN, guess the total dollar value of your clothes/electronics (for renters insurance), and find your gross monthly income.

◦ Check Employer Perks First: Ask your company's HR department for their benefits package. If they offer health, dental, vision, or disability insurance, sign up through them.

◦ Shop & Bundle Auto/Renters: Go online to 2 or 3 major insurance websites. Input your info for car insurance and add renters insurance to the quote. Compare the total monthly costs.

◦ Set to Autopay: Once approved, set your premiums to auto-pay.

• Your Setup Guide:

◦ Check your 'Benefits Summary': Check your work email/portal. Look for a PDF called "Summary of Benefits." See if your employer already provides Long-Term Disability or Basic Life Insurance. If they do, you're likely already covered for the basics.

◦ Designate your Beneficiaries: In your HR portal, officially list who gets the money if you pass away.

◦ Evaluate your 'Gap': Do you have a mortgage or children? If YES, shop for a private Term Life policy. Do you work a physical job or have no savings? If YES, ensure you have Long-Term Disability.

◦ Apply and Underwrite: For private policies, you'll submit an application. The insurance company will "underwrite" you—meaning they look at your medical history to decide your rate. Once they send the final offer, sign and pay the first premium.

• Dental Insurance:

◦ 100% Covered (Preventative): Routine cleanings, exams, and X-rays are usually completely free to you twice a year. The insurance company pays the full bill because they want you to catch problems early.

◦ 80% Covered (Basic Procedures): If you get a cavity and need a filling or a non-surgical root canal, the insurance company pays 80% of the cost, and you pay the remaining 20%.

◦ 50% Covered (Major Procedures): For complex work like crowns, bridges, wisdom teeth extraction, or dentures, the insurance company splits the bill down the middle. They pay 50%, and you pay 50%.

◦ Dental insurance is the exact opposite—it has an Annual Maximum Benefit (the most they will pay).

◦ This limit is usually quite low—typically between $1,000 and $2,500 per year. If you need extensive dental surgery that costs $4,000, the insurance company will max out at their limit, and you are responsible for the rest of the bill.

◦ From your workplace, dental usually costs around $15–$30 a month. You sign up during Open Enrollment, and it is deducted straight from your paycheck.

◦ If your job doesn't offer it, you can buy plans directly from major carriers (like Delta Dental).

• Vision Insurance:

◦ The Exam: You pay a small copay (usually $10 to $25) for your annual eye exam to check your prescription.

◦ The Hardware Allowance: The plan will give you a fixed dollar amount—typically $130 to $200 every 12 or 24 months—to buy frames or contact lenses. If you buy designer frames that cost $250, and your allowance is $150, you pay the $100 difference out of pocket.

◦ The Lenses: Basic single-vision lenses are usually covered for a flat copay ($25). However, upgrades like anti-glare coatings, polarization, or progressive lenses will cost extra.

◦ Through your workplace it often costs less than $10 a month. You sign up during Open Enrollment, and it is deducted straight from your paycheck.

◦ If your job doesn't offer it, you can buy plans directly from major carriers (like VSP).

Adulting 104

Moving Into a House:

• Make a list of options for places that you want to move.

• Visit the locations listed and finalize the area.

• Aim to keep your total housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) below 28% to 30% of your gross monthly income.

• You will need cash for two major things: the down payment (typically between 3% and 20% of the purchase price) and closing costs (lender fees, taxes, and insurance setup, which usually run an additional 2% to 5% of the loan amount).

• Compare rates from online lenders, credit unions, and traditional banks. Choose one to take a loan from and get a pre-approval letter.

• Interview local real estate agents and partner with one to help you through the housing process.

• Search for a home that fits all of your needs.

• Your agent will help you decide on a fair offer price based on recent sales of comparable homes nearby. Submit the offer alongside earnest money (usually 1% to 2% of the price).

• Hire an independent inspector to check the structural, electrical, and plumbing health of the house. Concurrently, your lender will order an appraisal to ensure the home is actually worth the amount you agreed to pay.

• Do a final walk-through to ensure the seller made required repairs and left the place clean. On closing day, you'll sign paperwork, pay your down payment and closing costs via wire transfer or cashier's check, and get the keys.

• Complete a move in de-bug and clean.

• Call a wifi company to put in a router.

• Move in and create a whimsical space.

Adulting 103

The Rest of College:

• Determine housing budget, look for houses, review leases, and secure a gurantor.

• In September-October of freshman year, tour apartments and sign a lease.

• Purchase items needed for an apartment and the upcoming year of schooling.

• Fill out the FAFSA on October 1st.

• Fill out any returning student information.

• Apply for scholarships.

• Speak with advisor and choose courses.

• Move into apartment.

• Apply for jobs around campus.

Adulting 102

Freshman Year of College:

• Purchase items for dorm room.

• Have my doctor complete the Disability Documentation Form.

• Apply to colleges.

• Fill out the FAFSA on October 1st, 2026.

• Apply for scholarships.

• Create a school account and set up Duo if needed.

• Submit Intent to Enroll form and deposit after being accepted into college.

• Go to the Disabilitu Student Portal and fill out the Request for Accessible Educational Services Form. Upload your medical documents directly to the form.

• Register for New Student Orientation.

• Complete required placement exams and online orientation models.

• Meet an advisor and select schedule.

• Apply for housing.

• Complete the lifestyle questionnaire.

• Select the desired meal plan.

• Accept, reduce, or decline any financial aid offers through the Student Center.

• Submit transcripts and immunization records.

• Attend New Student Orientation when scheduled.

• Move in.

• Apply for jobs around campus.

• Share your disability memo with teachers and briefly discuss how the accommodations will work in their specific class.

• Accommodations do not automatically carry over from semester to semester. Every time you start a new term, you have to log back into the Disability Student Portal:

◦ Click Accommodation > Semester Request.

◦ Select the upcoming semester and click Submit for All Accommodations.

◦ This generates an official digital accommodation memo for your specific classes.

Adulting 101

Eighteen Years Old:

• Register to vote.

• Get all of my vaccinations and tests that are overdue.

• Get an adult doctor and express to them all of my medical concerns, going back for tests and diagnoses.

• Get tattoos and piercings.

• Go to Planned Parenthood for hormone therapy.

• Go to an adult store, buy a lottery ticket, go to a drag show, have a sleepover with my girlfriend, etc.

• Get an adult bank account.

• Apply for a credit card and begin to build credit.

I request some workout assistance!

So, I am someone who struggles with chronic pain in my wrists, back, hips, knees, and ankles. I used to weightlift 3 times a week, but that quickly became way too much on my body. Does anyone have suggestions on a workout routine for someone with these problems? I would not like to gain much weight, I would just like to get stronger, toner, and start feeling healthier. Please let me know your suggestions. Thanks!

Throughout this account's journey, I have been trying to better myself and find who I am. Unfortunately, I've had to deal with a toxic friend group, leaving said friend group, making new friends, my great grandfather passing away, show choir stress, audition stress and rejection, decisions for next year, and a plethora of health issues. Frankly, I have been feeling terrible, and I need to start anew again. Here is my list to get me jumps started into feeling better.

Deep clean room

Deep clean bathroom

Hang up posters and shelf

Make another hobbies shelf in my closet

Actually go outside and get physically active

Make choices that are best for my mental health

Focus on my studies and prepare for college

Engage in hobbies and social activities more often

Remove those who do not make me happy from my life, mind, and phone

Get off of this dang phone

Actually complete the things on my Finch

Acne Tips

(Take all of this with a grain of salt. Try and find out what works best for you!!)

drink lots of water

see a dermatologist

wash your face

wear moisturizer with spf

put retinol on at night

get all of the recommended daily vitamins

have a balanced diet

wear a toner

apply a treatment serum

use pimple patches for spot treatment

stay consistent with skincare

avoid touching your face and picking your skin

you can extract blemishes, but you need to make sure everything is sterile and that you put the right products on it

ice your face

make sure you go to sleep with clean hair and a clean pillowcase

have silk sheets and bonnets

try your best not to let hair products get on your skin

go on prescription medication if your dermatologist deems it necessary

do red light or high frequency facials

find out what kind of acne you have and figure out what is needed for that specific kind

wear primer when doing a full face of makeup

always wash your makeup off and give your skin lots of time to breathe

be sure to clean your makeup applicators, as well as tweezers, extraction tools, e.t.c.

dont be too hard on yourself! acne is incredibly common, and it is a struggle that many can relate to. you are beautiful, loved, and the furthest thing from dirty, no matter how extreme your acne may be <3