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How to Win at Adulting: Your Guide to Living in the Grown Up World

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Is everyone expecting you to behave like a grown up? Problem is, you can't get used to the idea that you're not a child anymore. Your brain screams: "RESIST!". It's a painful transition but it's one you can't avoid so you may as well do it with spirit and panache. 'How to Win at Adulting' hols your hand through all the finer points of behaving like a grown-up. You'll find brilliant tips for succeeding in the adult world - and, with any luck, no one will find out that you're not qualified to be there!

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

9 people are currently reading
84 people want to read

About the author

Helen Redding

15 books6 followers

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5 stars
3 (3%)
4 stars
28 (30%)
3 stars
40 (43%)
2 stars
14 (15%)
1 star
6 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
2 reviews
April 18, 2021
This book is trying to be a funny guidebook. Unfortunately, it is not funny enough to be read for entertainment nor informative enough to be read for advice.
Profile Image for Adrian.
102 reviews10 followers
July 3, 2019
This book reads like it’s made by some middle aged person whose trying to relate to 20 some year olds. Or like some weird wine person. A lot of contradicting points, tips that leave out so much, (and more than a few spelling errors) this book doesn’t even tell you much of what it’s saying you should know. Not worth a read unless you’re so lost you’re essentially an adult baby
Profile Image for Nina.
12 reviews
February 26, 2023
Me gusta tener esta clase de libros de capitulos de dos páginas en el baño y entretenerme mientras aprendo cosas nuevas en lugar de estar en el celular. Es un libro con tips de vida interesantes aunque muchas son de sentido común.
Profile Image for Valeria .
72 reviews
December 17, 2020
This book was informative, and there were a lot of tips and information I hadn’t thought about that can help me to grow as an adult. However this book does seem to fit for those who just finished high school or are about to finish undergrad.
I liked the book! Don’t get me wrong! The overall message is there-love yourself and learn to grow up. I think that’s what you’ll get out of this book, it’s funny and point on!
Profile Image for Ginger Vampyre.
525 reviews8 followers
January 29, 2021
A cute little guide for us "pamper millennials" on how to make the transition from teenager to adult. It actually has some good tidbits about how to interview, a proper resume, wine knowledge, and speaking to your doctor. I personally feel it does put too much emphasis on "an adult means buying a house and fitting in', but to each their own. I have absolutely no desire to ever own a house in my life and therefore get cranky with that being seen as a necessity to be considered an adult.
Profile Image for C Mccloud.
91 reviews6 followers
April 27, 2021
It’s okay, but maybe it would be more helpful to someone who is just starting off because if you are in your mid 20s or older than you will know everything in here. Some of the advice I thought was dumb, like when it talks about buying or renting and ask “can you afford it?” Lol you won’t get anything if you can’t afford it the landlord/bank will make sure you know that.
1 review
March 10, 2022
I'm a big fan of books and periodicals that revisit the true basics of a given topic or skill. They are succinct and make great staples for one's personal library. "How to Win at Adulting" is one such book. It's a bullet list within a flipbook on how to be an adult. Simple, straightforward. It can serve as an introductory manual for a college junior or a handy refresher for older adults.

I don't really understand the complaints of other reviews here. Society seems to get offended that we may need to consciously learn or relearn what should be "obvious". The Japanese teach their youngest schoolchildren literally how to live, yet the West takes such knowledge for granted. Honestly, what is more important? Nuclear physics, 17th-century European history, commerce & geopolitics? Who GAF? What good is any of it, really, if you don't have an informed foundation for such concerns?

As for the author's prickly tone... well, it's appropriate for the topic if you think about it. Being an adult means dealing with the world as it is, not as you'd wish. Ever work in customer service? Yeah. And anyways, Redding drops the attitude where it's important, such as the chapter "Self-Care." The chapter "How Not to Be Gross" treated me to some hearty laughs.

The older mind ruminates endlessly. As I approach middle age, this "For Dummies" kind of instruction returns me to a beginner's mind and what's most important. As for youngsters, "How to Win at Adulting" can clue in the youngest adults who may have lacked good role models in adolescence. I was one such 18-year-old and would've liked to have this in my purse.
Profile Image for Samantha Trenchik.
71 reviews
July 5, 2022
This book is a cute little “guide” for teenagers who have just graduated high school. I know that it was meant to be quirky and funny but, an abundance of the book just felt like I was reading memes. I think there were good intentions with this book but, ultimately, it is not a guide for anyone in their mid-late twenties. The author would give vague ideas on what you should do as an “adult” such as, paying taxes or figuring out which insurance is important to have. However, that was the end of it and there would be no more explanation on the subject other than, you definitely need to do these things as an adult (pretty self explanatory). The “funny” bits of this book seemed to mostly revolve around the fact that all adults love wine and that will ultimately happen once you’re a “grown up”. All in all, it seemed to be full of clichés and didn’t happen to be as helpful as I thought it would be.
Profile Image for Ciara.
65 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2023
One look at this book and you think, there is no way someone could go over all the nuances of adulting in such a tiny book, less than 100 pages. And you would be right. Who knew adults needed a book to tell us not to fart in public, and that an approved conversational topic is the weather. Nor do I need a book to tell me that finances are important and I should 'ask someone I trust' to help me with curating a financial plan. Gee.. thanks.

Overall, I see this book as more of a checklist: finances, giving back, how to keep your job and the importance of self care are very important. Though it doesn't necessarily tell you HOW to do these things and more that you SHOULD. So, even though it reads like one long instagram infographic, there may be a handful of tips or ideas that are new or that were put in a new perspective.
Profile Image for Emma.
69 reviews
January 10, 2022
3.5 stars! I did enjoy this book, felt I learned from it, and read things I needed to know.

However I took some stars off because I did not agree with some of what was said in this book. Another reason is I felt the tone of the book came across as judgemental at times, which isn’t necessary when it’s supposedly a self-help book.

All in all it was a good read for me and I will be referring back to it often.
Profile Image for Lauren Stein.
35 reviews
August 21, 2024
This book was short and sweet! It had some basic/obvious things in it but also some really good facts and points that I liked a lot - plus there was literally a section on WINE. Overall I’m happy I read it literally took me an hour
Profile Image for Alisha Taylor.
394 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2019
How to guide on adulting in today’s day & age. Covers things such as finances/relationships/balancing life and work ect
Profile Image for Roxanne Oduro.
21 reviews
March 19, 2021
A short and basic guide to adulting. I recommend if you want something short and sweet to help you on your journey of adulting.
Profile Image for PB.
462 reviews57 followers
June 27, 2021
The last chapter or so were the best parts out of the lot. Good reminders, but overall, not a lot of valuable information to offer.
19 reviews
August 9, 2025
I thought the book was okay. It was a quick read and definitely had some good tips.

Definitely more of a coffee table book. I got it as a gift and it works well as a gift.
Profile Image for Mouse.
56 reviews
November 3, 2023
I found this book to be really fun with some helpful tips. Though I would hope most of what was said in there is common knowledge, never hurts to re confirm things or even learn a new skill.
Profile Image for Alejo Fajardo.
Author 15 books16 followers
January 2, 2023
Consejos para no morir en el intento cuando se llega a la adultez.

¿Qué creen? Ya me los sabía desde que tenía 15.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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