I’m 21, and ‘my finances and identity still feel like works in progress.’ When is it the right time to ask someone out? How do you know when it’s actually the right time to ask for someone’s Instagram or ask them out? I don’t want to escalate too quickly and create pressure, but I also don’t want to miss opportunities by hesitating too long.
What signs of mutual interest or comfort should someone realistically look for before taking that step? I’d appreciate guidance on balancing emotional maturity, timing and confidence — especially in your early 20s when your finances and identity still feel like works in progress. Copyright ©2026 MarketWatch, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 Tesla’s stock falls as launch of Semi truck fails to excite investors I just started dating someone I really like, but he’s moving to Mexico for six months. Should I spend the money to visit him? 8% mortgage rates are ‘not an impossibility’ as the 30-year fixed rate surges Aditi Shrikant is a personal-finance reporter at MarketWatch who writes the Dollar Signs advice column. Previously, she was a lead reporter at CNBC's "Make It" covering relationships and psychology.
Before that, she reported on consumer spending and transportation at Vox.com. Intraday Data provided by FACTSET and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by FACTSET.
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