While it’s never too late to travel solo or learn a new language, there’s something about turning thirty that makes us stop and reassess our goals. Perhaps your twenties have been full of fun and frivolity and now it’s time to settle down, or maybe those years haven’t quite lived up to what they promised. Either way, approaching a milestone birthday is the perfect time to reevaluate your priorities and plan your future. With this in mind, here are ten things to do before you hit the big 3-0.
Travel Solo
Traveling solo is one of the most life-affirming experiences you’ll ever have, despite (or perhaps because of) how nerve-wracking it feels Not only will you get to know yourself better, but you’ll also enjoy being completely selfish while you’re away. It’s a chance you might never get again. If you plan to get married, have kids or climb the corporate ladder in the next ten years, then indulge your wanderlust now and you won’t regret it later.
Open a Savings Account
If you’ve never mastered the art of saving money, now is the time to do it. Whether you want to buy a car, go traveling or put some money aside for a rainy day, saving some of your hard-earned cash will benefit you for years to come. If you haven’t started making contributions to your 401(k), start now – even if you can only afford small amounts. Your future self will thank you.
Buy a House
Owning a home is something most of us aspire to, though not everyone can afford to stump up the cash or take out a mortgage. There are many benefits to living in a rental of course, but if you crave stability in your 30s and you want to get on the property ladder, then buying your own home should be on your list of goals. There are numerous ways to go about securing your own home, even if you can’t obtain a traditional mortgage. A hard money loan is an asset-based loan where you secure funds with existing property, so if you or your partner have an apartment or any other property to sell, this is a good option. These types of loans are typically issued by private investors and companies, though you can find more top money lenders online.
Learn a Language
Learning to speak a new language is not as difficult as it sounds, especially now there are so many interactive tools and apps to help you learn. It helps to have an end goal in mind, so plan a holiday to a country you’ve always wanted to visit or resolve to live abroad for a year. Once you’ve decided which language you want to learn, you can enroll in a class or learn at home using YouTube tutorials, apps, and other online resources.
Get Health Insurance
It may not be the most exciting item on this list, but if you haven’t taken out health insurance by the time you’re 30, you’ll want to do it now before it gets any more expensive. While you may have enjoyed two decades of good health, you never know when you might need medical attention. Taking charge of your health, in general, is an excellent goal to set yourself. After all, it’s important to take your mind and body seriously and get regular check-ups as you get older, particularly if you want to think about starting a family.
Move to a New City
Once you’ve put your roots down by buying a house or having kids, it’s harder to up and move to a new city on a whim. If you’re feeling bored and stifled, now is the time to make a change, before you have any more commitments. Your 20s are the years to enjoy new experiences – new friends, new career opportunities, new places – so grasp this opportunity with both hands and relocate while you still can. Remember, you can always move back if it doesn’t work out.
Find Out About Your Ancestors
Your grandparents and parents won’t be around forever, so now’s the time to ask them any questions you have about your family history. While learning about your close relatives is important for health reasons as well as to help you understand your genetic make-up, it is also incredibly grounding (not to mention fascinating) to discover your true cultural heritage. Take this opportunity to dig into old photos and records and learn about the early roots of your family tree.
Learn to Cook
Don’t worry if you haven’t yet mastered the art of cooking a meal; it’s never too late to learn. Of course, you don’t have to do it with the view of cooking for a family – you should learn to cook for yourself. Great nutrition becomes more important the older you get, but cooking is also a fun way to unwind. Spend some time perfecting an online recipe so you can invite your nearest and dearest round for a dinner party.
Find Your Style
If you haven’t yet figured out your style, this is your chance to experiment. Fashion isn’t important to everyone, but clothes say a lot about the person you are, and well-fitting clothes that express your personality can improve your self-confidence. Consult a personal shopper or sign yourself up for a stylist’s makeover to find out what style works for you. If you’re too self-conscious to ask for help, you can start by trying on different outfit variations at home and looking online for new clothing inspiration.
Accept Yourself
There’s a lot of talk about self-love in the media at the moment, but if you’re someone who struggles with self-esteem then feeling that love is more difficult than it sounds. While you should always respect yourself and try to be your own best friend, you should at least come to accept who you are. Realizing your strengths, your abilities and your own limitations is powerful, and it will go a long way toward helping you move forward with your life.