When people ask what they should invest in during their twenties, the conversation usually goes in one direction.

Open a Roth IRA.

Buy index funds.

Start saving for retirement.

Those are all good answers, and if you're in a position to do those things, I think you should.

But I also think there's another side to the conversation that doesn't get nearly enough attention.

Your twenties aren't just about growing your money.

They're about growing yourself.

Looking back, the investments that have had the biggest impact on my life weren't the ones that showed up in an investment account. They were the ones that changed how I felt every day, gave me better habits, saved me time, and made me more confident. Some of them cost money, some of them required time, and some of them were simply decisions to prioritize certain parts of my life.

The commonality of most of these recommendations come down to one thing:

"A lot of these things improve your life because it improves... they improve the way you think about yourself. And they make you feel better about yourself."

That line stuck with me because it captures what investing in yourself is really about.

The goal isn't to own nicer things.

The goal is to build a better life.

Invest in Your Health Before You Think You Need To

If I could recommend one investment to almost every guy in his twenties, it would be taking care of his health.

Not because you need to have six-pack abs or spend hours in the gym every day, but because your health influences almost everything else you do. It affects your energy, your confidence, your mood, your relationships, and even the way you show up at work.

For me, one of the best investments I've ever made was joining a gym.

At first, I thought I was paying for access to weights.

Over time, I realized I was paying for structure.

Working out consistently gave my mornings a purpose, helped me manage stress, and created momentum that carried into the rest of my day. It became one of those habits that made everything else feel just a little easier.

I've written more about this in How To Build Confidence, because I genuinely think the biggest return has very little to do with building muscle. The real return is becoming someone who consistently shows up for themselves.

Invest in Anything That Builds Confidence

Confidence is one of those things people spend years trying to find.

I've started to think it's something you build instead.

It's built through habits.

Through routines.

Through keeping promises to yourself.

Sometimes it's also built through surprisingly small purchases.

Everything from grooming products to finding a great cologne. On paper, those don't sound like life-changing investments. But I think they matter because of what they represent.

"When you clean up or when you feel good about the way you look, it kind of affects everything in your life. It really does. And it affects it more than you would probably think too."

I've found that's true whether I'm heading into an important meeting or sitting down across from someone on a first date.

Feeling prepared allows you to stop thinking about yourself and start paying attention to the people around you.

That's one of the reasons I've written about How to Dress for a First Date. It isn't about spending the most money or chasing trends. It's about removing distractions so you can focus on what actually matters.

Style experts at GQ often recommend investing in timeless wardrobe staples rather than constantly replacing cheaper pieces, and I think that's good advice. When you wear something regularly and it makes you feel like your best self, the value extends far beyond the price tag.

Invest in Things That Give You More Time

As I've gotten older, I've realized that the most valuable resource I have isn't money.

It's time.

That's one of the reasons I recommend TSA PreCheck to almost everyone who travels.

It's not because it's exciting.

It's because it removes friction from something I already have to do.

"Time is the only resource that we can't get any of back. And that should be enough of a reason for you to get TSA PreCheck."

That idea has changed the way I think about spending money in general.

Whenever I'm deciding whether something is worth buying, I find myself asking a different question than I used to.

Will this make my everyday life easier?

If the answer is yes, it's usually worth taking seriously.

That's a much better way to think about investing than simply asking what something costs.

Invest in Experiences You'll Remember

If there's one category of spending I've almost never regretted, it's experiences.

Concerts.

Trips with friends.

Weekend getaways.

Tickets to something you've been looking forward to for months.

Those purchases don't just give you something to do for a few hours. They become memories that stay with you long after you've forgotten how much they cost.

"I've never regretted spending money on a concert. I've never been like, I shouldn't have gone to that."

I think the reason is that experiences have a way of improving your life twice. You enjoy anticipating them before they happen, and then you carry the memories with you afterward. Very few physical purchases have that kind of lasting return.

Researchers writing for Harvard Business Review have pointed to similar findings, suggesting that experiences often create more lasting happiness than material possessions because they become part of our identity and are frequently shared with other people.

Looking back, that feels exactly right.

I've forgotten countless things I've bought.

I've remembered almost every great trip, concert, and night spent with people I care about.

Invest in Your Daily Routine

One thing I've noticed is that the best investments are rarely the most exciting ones.

More often, they're the purchases that quietly become part of your everyday life.

The pan you cook dinner with every night.

The sheets you climb into after a long day.

The notebook you use to organize your thoughts.

The pair of shoes you reach for without thinking because they're comfortable every single time.

None of those things are particularly glamorous, but together they shape your daily experience in ways you don't fully appreciate until you've lived with them for a while.

That's why I think it's worth investing in the things you use repeatedly rather than chasing things you'll only enjoy once.

I've written about this idea in The Purchases That Genuinely Improved My Life, because improving your life is often less about one massive change and more about making dozens of small improvements that compound over time.

The best purchases usually become invisible.

The benefit doesn't.

Invest in Relationships, Not Just Yourself

It's easy to think of investing as something that's entirely personal.

Your career.

Your finances.

Your fitness.

Those things matter, but I don't think they're enough on their own.

Some of the best investments you'll make in your twenties are the relationships you choose to build.

Making time for your family.

Keeping up with old friends.

Showing up for birthdays, weddings, and celebrations instead of assuming there will always be another opportunity.

Calling someone instead of sending a text.

Taking someone out to dinner because you haven't seen them in months.

Those investments rarely have an immediate return.

But years later, they're often the ones that matter most.

I've realized that life is built as much by the people around you as it is by the goals you accomplish.

The earlier you start investing in those relationships, the richer your life tends to become.

And Here's The Thing

When people ask what every guy should invest in during his twenties, I don't think they're really asking for a shopping list.

They're asking how to build a life they'll be proud of.

For me, that has meant investing in my health before I needed to.

Building confidence through small, consistent habits.

Buying back my time whenever I can.

Choosing experiences over unnecessary possessions.

And creating routines that make everyday life just a little bit better.

Those investments won't all appear on a balance sheet.

But they're the ones that have produced the greatest return in my own life.

Money matters.

Saving matters.

Investing for the future matters.

Just don't forget that the best investment account you'll ever have is yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should every guy invest in during his 20s?

Some of the best investments include your health, confidence, relationships, daily habits, and experiences. Financial investments are important too, but investing in yourself often creates benefits that carry into every area of your life.

Is it better to invest in experiences or things?

Both have value, but experiences often create longer-lasting memories and stronger relationships, while quality everyday purchases can improve your life every single day.

Should I focus on saving money or investing in myself?

Ideally, both. Building healthy financial habits while also investing in your physical health, personal growth, and relationships creates a stronger foundation for the future.

What are the best investments that aren't financial?

Regular exercise, meaningful relationships, practical skills, healthy routines, and experiences that broaden your perspective can all provide lifelong returns.

Why is investing in yourself so important in your 20s?

The habits, routines, and decisions you make during your twenties often shape the trajectory of the rest of your life, making it one of the best times to invest in your long-term health, confidence, and personal growth.