Never have a home mortgage larger than three times your income. Join a local church and tithe. The most important book on law, love and life is the Bible. Good folks are everywhere, but the South has an unusually large number of them. Don't be judgmental if you don't have all the facts.
Balance is important in life and in sports.
Parents and grandparents are wiser than you currently believe. Exercise daily - it's more important as you age. Negotiate with your father, after a good meal. Boys really do like one-piece bathing suits.