I only recently realized I needed to stop calling myself a "girl" because as someone who has turned 30, I've definitely entered the "lady" or "woman" category.
I'm trying to embrace it.
So here I am, this lady married to this man and though I've thought we were already grown up long before now, I feel like we've had a bonus crash course in adulthood this summer.
My theory is that is has something to do with being in our 30s.
At every turn, we have yet another "adult" errand to run or task to perform. So I've started compiling a list-because I've yet to find a tidy checklist elsewhere.
I won't hold your hand-who has time for that-but I'll let you know the nitty gritty index of what you'll need to do in your 30s. I was recently talking to our friends Jaylene and Jonathan about this; they are in their early 20s and already lightyears ahead of where I was at their age. But for all those "others" who aren't so on top of it, this blog here is for you.
We fondly refer to this soul-sucking dance as "adulting" and have a dreadful feeling it's not going to get any easier.
Grab a pen and paper, a stout drink to fortify your heart (because at least you've figured out how to drink responsibly and we all know it helps), and let's get down to business.
1. You will realize that even though you may only have $10 in the bank, it is time to write a will. Please note that wills are expensive. As in hundreds of dollars expensive.
2. You will get tired of paying rent and never seeing that money again, so will need to save up for a house downpayment. This process is long and painful.
3. You will figure out this life insurance because you don't want to leave your spouse with a fatty mortgage and no second income if you suddenly expire. Spoiler alert: we have 20-year term insurance.
4. You look around and realize (especially if you're self-employed), you will need to have a retirement plan.
5. Now you have to save for said retirement plan.
5.2 You should probably enroll in a yoga class to keep your heart rate down when thinking about said retirement plan
6. You get serious about getting out of debt which requires even more work and budgeting.
7. You realize it's important to know your credit score.
8. You should find out how your blood pressure is sitting.
9. You become friends with your doctor as you decide it's finally time to get those regular check-ups.
10. It's invasive but necessary-you will need to have your privates examined by your doctor regularly. Gross.
11. You start looking at the food you eat in a new way as you watch your cholesterol levels and salt intake. It's unsettling.
12. Budget is no longer a perverse word and you find yourself at home alone at night, drinking wine and going over the budget "just one more time." (Oh wait, is that just me?)
13. Paperwork is constant and unending and the amount of it in your life is directly proportional to your age.
14. You start thinking about things like "I've easily lived a third of my life" and you stop looking in the mirror.
15. You play one night of ultimate frisbee and your spouse will have to roll you out of bed the next morning. It isn't pretty.
16. Life gets more expensive the older you get. And I'm not all that sure it has to do with inflation.
Let's be honest, this is probably the short list, but I don't think any of our hearts can take the rigors of anything more today.
So with this hearty news, enjoy your weekend and Happy Thanksgiving too. You're welcome. xo.
