Working for six years on my own startup, and collectively many more in other startups, while never having the personal financial outcome I wanted makes me feel left behind by people who worked jobs, saved money and invested. I am not sure how I would do it differently but I won't be starting another company where I have to put everything on the line again.

One of the side effects that I most regret is that you're so busy and probably broke when you're doing a startup that you can't really go out with your friends anymore. They don't see you at the office and think to invite you out. If they do remember, you probably can't go. The number and quality of friendships you have at the start of a startup and at the end can be quite different. If I had known that I would have made more of an effort to nurture those relationships, even if it's difficult to do. If anything, I'd probably just trade in some hours I'm working for time with friends and I'd almost bet it wouldn't negatively impact my outcome. We entrepreneurs almost always work too much.

Save money. Spend time with friends. Your two big, unexpected startup tips.