Turning 30 can seem a little daunting. There is an enormous amount of pressure and expectation that comes with being in your twenties that by the time you reach 30, you may feel as if you need to have achieved so much in order to feel accomplished. While turning 30 is certainly a milestone, it is important to remember that everyone experiences life in a different way and there is no right or wrong way to head into your thirties. Having said that, we believe there are still certain things that you could be helpful to have experienced before you reach your 30th birthday, so here is our list of six things you should do before you turn 30.
Start Saving
It is a good idea when you are in your twenties to start saving. Even if you are not saving for anything in particular, just putting a little aside every month can be a simple way to start building some savings. In order to save correctly, it could be a good idea to draw up a budget so you can get a clear idea of your monthly incomings and outgoings. Once you have got a clear breakdown of everything you spend in a month, you can start to work out how much you can realistically save each month. Putting aside even just a little bit every month will be helpful and you will start to see your savings slowly build. If you do have something in particular you are saving for then that is great, you can use your end goal to motivate you to save. However, even if you do not have a goal for your savings, just having something extra put aside can come in handy if you ever need to pay of a large bill or something needs replacing.
Know Your Credit Score
Another important thing you should know before you turn 30 is your credit score. If you have never applied for a loan or credit, or you are just not financially savvy, then you may not be aware of your credit score or what a credit score is. Essentially, a credit score is a 3-digit number that is used by lenders to determine if you are a good candidate to receive a loan. A higher credit score is more likely to get you accepted by a lender. While buying a house is not for everyone, if you are considering buying a house, then you will need to be approved for a mortgage. Having a high credit score means your mortgage is more likely to be approved, so it is important to have an idea of your credit score and how to improve it. Being approved for something like a mortgage is realistically only going to happen if you have good credit, however even with a low credit score, you could be accepted for a bad credit loan. Sunny have created this guide that gives a detailed explanation of bad credit loans, so perhaps give it a read if you are considering applying for one.
Learn Basic Household Skills
Leaning basic household skills is another really important thing to do before you turn 30. Whether you own your own house, rent somewhere, or live at home, it is crucial that you know some basic household skills. If you do live at home, then it may be even more important to learn as you aren’t going to have a parent around to clean up after you forever. So, what do we mean by basic household skills? Essentially what is mean by basic household skills are the skills needed to uphold a household. This means things like cleaning properly, tidying, and how to do basic DIY things like changing a light bulb or putting up a shelf. Knowing how to maintain a household is an essential skill that everyone should be able to do. There will likely be times in life where no one else is around to help out with some of the basic tasks, so knowing them yourself protects you from being unable to care for yourself and your home. If you often find you are seeking help with the same household task, then why not take it upon yourself to learn how to fix the issue.
Travel Solo
Traveling solo is another great thing you should do before you are 30. Traveling with friends or with family can be a fantastic experience but travelling on your own can open up a whole new world of freedom. When you travel solo, you have complete freedom to do whatever you want with your own time and your schedule is not being dictated by other people’s needs. If there is a country you have always wanted to visit but your friends didn’t want to go, then traveling solo gives you the opportunity to see the places you have always wanted to see. Not only this but traveling by yourself also gives you the opportunity to meet other like-minded travellers and you may end up making some friends for life. Why not start making a list of countries now and start planning the trip of a lifetime.
Learn Basic Cooking Skills
Learning some basic cooking skills is a really important thing you should do before you turn 30. Cooking is an essential life skill and just knowing some basic recipes or skills in the kitchen can give you a big leg-up in the world. If you are unable to cook for yourself, then it is likely you order takeaway most nights which can be both unhealthy and tough on the bank account too. Cooking at home gives you the freedom to create delicious and healthy recipes without going over budget. Many people find cooking to be a relaxing and calming experience, so you could find that your mental health is improved by learning to cook. The great thing about cooking is there is always more to learn, so once you have learnt some basics, you can start pushing and challenging yourself to create more elaborate recipes. It could even be a fun idea to set some cooking challenges with your friend and arrange a dinner part so you can all try and compare each other’s recipes.
Write A Will
While many people choose to write a will after they turn 50, you can in fact legally write a will from the time you turn 18. Writing a will may not be essential for you, but if you own property, valuable items, or you have children, then it would be a good idea to start drafting a will. Of course, turning 30 doesn’t mean you are getting old but if you have people you look after, then writing a will ensures that they will be protected should the worst happen. Once you have decided to write a will, it would be a good idea to let some close friends or family know that you have a will. Additionally, you should always ensure that you regularly update your will every few years or if there are major changes in your life. Some examples of these are birth of a new child and divorce. Make sure you keep on top of your life and get organised by writing a will.
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