Are you approaching the big 3-0? If so, welcome to the most transformative decade of your life. Now is when you’ll get your adulting on point and start to feel confident and comfortable in your abilities — if you get your act together. The following list of 30 things to do in your 30s can help.
1. Invest in Disability Insurance
If you wait until you are disabled to look for coverage, you won’t find carriers willing to insure the very thing most likely to leave you permanently unable to work. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking you can rely on social security — approval can take years. Thousands die each year while waiting for a determination, and even more file for bankruptcy. Invest in a policy now — before you get sick with a condition that derails your career.
2. Buy Life Insurance
Likewise, life insurance carriers increase premiums based on your age. That’s because the likelihood you’ll die before your next birthday increases as you grow older. Between age 30 and 40, rates can increase as much as 44%, so secure a whole policy that builds cash value now. If that proves unaffordable, look into a term policy with a conversion rider.
3. Determine the Best Living Sitch
Are you still making your landlord rich? Your 30s are the ideal time to look into permanent living. If the American dream of homeownership seems out-of-reach due to skyrocketing housing costs and wage stagnation, consider your alternatives. Maybe you want to retrofit a van into a home and make the nation’s campgrounds your living room.
4. Talk to a Financial Advisor
If you thought financial advisors were only for folks with, well, assets, think again. The right advice can get you where you want to be in terms of security. Book an appointment, be honest and explore your options.
5. Get Over Your Fear of the Market
Historically, the stock market outperforms traditional savings, but you also endure risk. Learn to play the stock market game to get over your fear and learn how to select those investments with a realistic chance of increasing your financial security.
6. Consider Mutual Fund Investment
If you can’t stomach much risk, consider a mutual fund to select investments for you. You can find those who invest in companies that align with your values and support worthy causes.
7. Identify Local Flora
If you had to forage to survive, could you do so without raiding your neighbor’s victory garden? There are tons of edible foods in nearly every climate zone — if you know where to look. Sign up for a class at your nearest nature center.
8. Plant a Windowsill Garden
You can also become more self-sufficient by growing food at home. Master the basics with a windowsill herb garden that will always provide fresh oregano for your pasta.
9. Master a Kitchen Gadget
Do your jeans strain to button under the weight of too many fast-food meals? Invest in a pressure cooker and learn how to prepare a healthy dinner in minutes by adding ingredients and pushing a few buttons.
10. Learn What Meal Prep Works
Chopping a week’s worth of veggies only works if you actually eat your creation. Take a week or two to write down what cooking chores you hate doing on weeknights — concentrate your food prep there.
11. Try a New Favorite Food
Have you ever had celeriac? These tasty tubers are a low-starch potato alternative that makes a mean french fry. Bye-bye, extra calories.
12. Taste a New Tea
Herbal teas can heal what ails you gently. Experiment with versions like Gotu Kola, ginseng and green tea for energy. When it’s time to relax, opt for valerian or passionflower.
13. Find a New Fitness Form
In your 30s, you discover that your body doesn’t move like it used to — unless you train it. Fortunately, you can find a host of fitness apps to find an exercise plan you love.
14. Participate in a Competition
You need inspiration to stay on the fitness bandwagon. Training for a race or another competition gives you the mental fuel to keep going.
15. Sew a Button
You should be able to prepare basic clothing repairs. The next time you lose a button, try sewing it yourself instead of calling a tailor.
16. Change a Tire
You can learn how to perform this skill online before you need it on the road. Once you master the art, you won’t fear breakdowns as much while traveling solo.
17. Change Your Oil
Maintaining your ride yourself gives you a feeling of self-sufficiency. Everyone can master an oil change with minimal tools — although you’ll feel maximum pride when finished.
18. Troubleshoot Your Computer
Do the IT department folks at work know you on a first-name basis, although you work in sales? The next time you call for help, ask them to show you how they troubleshoot the issue — you can prevent future waits for repair.
19. Master a New Program
Learning is a lifelong process, but with technology changing fast, you have to use your gray matter or risk looking like you lost it. Make it a goal to master one new app or computer program once or twice yearly.
20. Build a Birdhouse
It’s not only your brain that helps you survive — you need manual dexterity, too. Learning how to build a birdhouseenables you to see how things fit together and gives you the skills for other minor carpentry tasks.
21. Change Your Filters
Both your vehicle and home need routine air filter changes. Learn how to do yours and get on a schedule, you adulting boss, you.
22. Swap Your Candles
Scented candles smell lovely, but they can release toxins like toluene into your home. Now that you hopefully have more spending cash, upgrade to aromatherapy misters.
23. Exchange Your Light Bulbs
Your standard LED light bulb may cost considerably more upfront, but you’d go through 21 incandescent models to equal the lifespan. You save more by going green — if you can’t find LEDs, opt for compact fluorescents.
24. Upgrade Your Batteries
Saving used batteries in a drawer can lead to a fire — why risk it? Upgrade to reusable batteries and extend life while reducing trips to the store.
25. Set a Boundary
Boundaries are critical to healthy relationships, but many of us struggle to set them. Pick something that you won’t tolerate — maybe racist jokes — and practice speaking up when someone crosses the line.
26. Have a Heart-to-Heart With Your Boss
Where do you want your career to be in five years? If your boss can’t answer that question, you risk merely punching in and passing the time on the clock. Schedule a heart-to-heart to discuss your future with your organization.
27. Do the Same With Your Partner
Your closest relationship influences much of your happiness in life. Talk to your partner — make sure you’re both on the same page regarding things like children and home purchases.
28. Set a 5-Year Plan
Where do you want to be in five years? If you don’t have a plan, you end up like a leaf in the wind. Decide what you want your life to look like in the future to make better decisions in the present.
29. Go on an Adventure
Travel is the ideal way to broaden your horizons and discover more about yourself. Don’t put everything off until retirement — book a weekend road trip if you don’t have extensive PTO.
30. Enjoy the Age You Are
Finally, remember — you will never again be as young as you are today. Instead of complaining about getting older, take time each day to enjoy the glorious age that you are.
Do These 30 Things in Your 30s
You’re entering an exciting transition in your life. Do these 30 things in your 30s to live life with fewer regrets.
