Author Topic: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?  (Read 20755 times)

sheepstache

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Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« on: February 16, 2014, 12:55:58 PM »
Just seeing if I can get my demographic on the sweet, sweet advice gravy train.

Ziggurat

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2014, 06:01:03 PM »
Okay, I'll be brave enough to imagine I know something (of course in a few more years I'll look back and realize I didn't know much)

Let's see...here are some things I wish I knew at 30:
* stick with what WORKS, not what is handed down according to some ideology
* everyone thinks they are the hero of their own play. Everyone.
* mental illness is as real/physical as any health issue, and a surprisingly large number of people have depression/anxiety and other issues which can explain a lot of behavior
* financially, any and all of the MMM lessons: invest early and in large amounts, don't touch those savings, diversify by investment type and geographically.
* everything in moderation, including moderation
* treat your kids with respect. They are in fact their own persons, right from the beginning, you just need to talk a little slower at first.



eman resu

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2014, 06:12:38 PM »
1) 30 is the new 29. Don't pretend you're suddenly your dad.
2) A penny saved is a boatload more than a penny earned... unless you put it in a passbook savings account at Po'Dunk Savings Bank. So don't do that.
3) Bald is beautiful, just go with it.

EDIT: you're not your, sheesh. 
« Last Edit: February 16, 2014, 06:14:27 PM by eman resu »

rocklebock

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2014, 06:48:59 PM »
I'm 37 now and wish I hadn't been so hell-bent on being a grown-up in my late 20s-early 30s. I over-spent and over-committed to things because I thought that's what grown-ups did. Don't try so hard.

Watch out for "should." As in, what people say you, your family, your SO, or anyone else "should" do. It's an implied judgment, and unless advice has been requested, it can be ignored. Likewise, if you find yourself "should"ing a lot, you're probably being too hard on yourself if it's directed at you, or a judgmental douche if it's directed at others.

If you drink and have friends who drink, it will soon stop being awesome to drink a lot, all the time. It may become apparent that some in your circle actually have drinking problems. Be aware.

Similarly, if you're one of those people who can eat junk food, never exercise and still stay skinny, that will stop soon. Develop good exercise and eating habits. It's kind of like saving money, in that tackling it while you're younger will encourage good habits that pay off for decades.

A lot of people seem to go through big breakups/divorces in their early 30s. The good news is that dating in your 30s is pretty fantastic.

Watch out for yourself. Don't count on others to do it for you.

eman resu

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2014, 07:10:56 PM »
Similarly, if you're one of those people who can eat junk food, never exercise and still stay skinny, that will stop soon.

Amen. Where were you when I was 30?   :)   

rocklebock

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2014, 07:17:53 PM »
Similarly, if you're one of those people who can eat junk food, never exercise and still stay skinny, that will stop soon.

Amen. Where were you when I was 30?   :)

At a bar, eating french fries and drinking three beers in one sitting.

imustachemystash

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2014, 07:55:02 PM »
I'm 33 and feel its kind of an awkward age.  I look and feel younger and want to do things I did when I was younger but I have 2 little kids that take a lot of time and energy.  I feel a little lost actually.  Having a handle on my finances gives me a feeling of control.  I dream of becoming more adventurous when my kids are older.

ThatGuyFromCanada

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2014, 09:20:47 PM »
I'm 33 and feel its kind of an awkward age.  I look and feel younger and want to do things I did when I was younger but I have 2 little kids that take a lot of time and energy.  I feel a little lost actually.  Having a handle on my finances gives me a feeling of control.  I dream of becoming more adventurous when my kids are older.

+1

Silverwood

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2014, 10:43:05 PM »
So I'm only 28 but I feel older and tend to act older. Although I just think that's because so many people my age people are so incredibly stupid.

I get a lot of "You are doing so great and are so ahead of others your age". I don't listen to this and compare myself to others on here.

Also trust yourself.  My parents are great but there have been key moments in my life where I have and haven't listened to them and its made a huge difference. For example my job. I ended up going to school for it and should of gone earlier instead of trusting them that my uncle could get me in the door. If I had been in the earlier class I wouldn't of gotten laid off. 

And the older I get the less I feel the need to fit in. So Id say stay strong in your beliefs and the like minded people will find you.

Fireman

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2014, 07:27:17 AM »
Watch out for "should." As in, what people say you, your family, your SO, or anyone else "should" do. It's an implied judgment, and unless advice has been requested, it can be ignored.

I have a friend like this and I never thought about it in this way.  Granted, I take most of what he says with a grain of salt, anyway.

When I was 30, it would've been nice to know that my wife was going to become my ex-wife.  All told though, i've done very well since the split and am chugging happily along towards FI!

MrsPete

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2014, 07:56:50 AM »
It gets better.  30 was rough for me:

- We were saving, but it seemed that our numbers were creeping up slowly.  However, if we hadn't gone through those years, we wouldn't be where we are now. 

- Don't give in to lifestyle creep.  At 30 so many of our friends were already in "move up houses" and were starting to take luxury vacations.  And we didn't, which occasionally made us feel like losers.  Today we can write a check for our children's college tuition, while those people are worrying about student loans.  We're about to build our retirement house -- and we can pay cash -- while those folks have second (or third) mortgages and call them HELOCs. 

- Do the right things with your kids.  At 30 we had all our children, and they were WORK. Feed them healthy foods, get them out to the park a couple times a week, read every day, think up science experiments, let them help with chores, pray with them.  You want to do all these things, but you yourself rarely get a break.  The first few years of school is a lot of work for you.  Life with small children is exhausting much of the time.  But if you do all those right things, you will see the payoff later.  Sometimes when you're in the midst of it, you can't see the end, but I have two absolutely wonderful young ladies now, and much of that is due to all the things we did with them in those first, most formative years. 

fiveoh

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2014, 11:42:12 AM »
I'm 33 and feel its kind of an awkward age.  I look and feel younger and want to do things I did when I was younger but I have 2 little kids that take a lot of time and energy.  I feel a little lost actually.  Having a handle on my finances gives me a feeling of control.  I dream of becoming more adventurous when my kids are older.

+1

+2 

(well I'm 32 actually)I also worry that by the time my  kids are "older", I wont "feel" young anymore and have wasted this time. 

daverobev

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2014, 12:05:57 PM »
I'm 33 and feel its kind of an awkward age.  I look and feel younger and want to do things I did when I was younger but I have 2 little kids that take a lot of time and energy.  I feel a little lost actually.  Having a handle on my finances gives me a feeling of control.  I dream of becoming more adventurous when my kids are older.

+1

Wow.. thanks guys, that helps... 33 here, just had our first baby a few months back, and while I'm (pretty much) financially free - finally! - I'm kinda going.. yeah I can see the world now! Except... I'm tied to my wife and child. Heh. Strange. But knowing 'I'm not alone' is good.

+2 

(well I'm 32 actually)I also worry that by the time my  kids are "older", I wont "feel" young anymore and have wasted this time.

pac_NW

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2014, 02:14:47 PM »
Wish I knew to save 50% of my pay then. I wouldn't be wrestling with the spot I am in now of whether to semi-retire early now or not. Starting that max savings rate just a few years earlier would have made the decision easier.

phred

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2014, 02:19:45 PM »
that it's time to cut back on the surfing and get a real job.  When you turn thirty, prospective employers expect you to be settled into a career choice

avonlea

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #15 on: February 17, 2014, 06:22:16 PM »
I wish I would have known that even fraidycats like me can use a bike for transportation...and also enjoy it.

 (Figured that out a few years after age 30, so later than most people here, but better late than never, right?)


FiveSigmas

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #16 on: February 17, 2014, 09:12:45 PM »
Thanks, Sheep (and all the posters so far). I'm early thirties myself, so I don't have much to contribute, but my ears are wide open.

expatartist

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2014, 12:56:15 AM »
That the technology and resources and knowledge available when you were growing up had a huge effect on your options. They're growing exponentially every year. What options were available to your parents were quite different (and often, more limited) than what's available to you now. Look to your successful peers and industry leaders for career advice.

Also, if work/life options seem limited wherever you live, they aren't everywhere. Getting the hell outta dodge to scale things up with life may also have a side bonus: running into Mr/Ms Right. Then you can scale down later on.

Cwadda

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #18 on: February 18, 2014, 01:26:17 AM »
Thanks for everyone posting here. I'm 19 and absorbing all this information.

MgoSam

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #19 on: February 18, 2014, 01:52:21 AM »
Thank you for this thread, I am loving the advice. I am 26 and am trying to live as mustachian of a lifestyle as I can, which includes investing about 75% of my pay in Vanguard. I am in the process of buying a house and hope to have the house and be FI by the time I turn 40.

jhartt3

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #20 on: February 18, 2014, 06:51:35 AM »
MGOsam. I'm 27 just discovered this forum. If you're saving 75% you can retire long before 40. I'm at around 55-60 and expect mine to be about 40 with a savings rate of 30-40 the last 4 years.

uppy

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #21 on: February 18, 2014, 07:32:34 AM »
I'm 30 now and I wish I knew how to not take all the great things I already have for granted. When I look back on my life, I am way happier and in a better position than I have ever been. There was a post MMM did involving hedonic adaptation, how you always get used to the "new normal." He was talking about adapting to consuming/buying less, or how the excitement of new purchases etc. fades fast. But it's also important not to forget how far you've come, and just enjoy the present, not looking to the future or at FIRE all the time.

Michread

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #22 on: February 18, 2014, 07:47:09 AM »
I dream of becoming more adventurous when my kids are older.

Take your family camping.  Start in the yard, then at a nearby state campground for short trips and go from there.  We have precious memories of camping with our little boys.  It got them into nature and away from the electronics.

prima

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #23 on: February 18, 2014, 08:09:04 AM »
I am 33 now and I feel like I achieved everything I wanted in my twenties: gone to school to start a great career and met a MR Right. But then sometimes I remember how simple life was with my minimum wage job before I went back to school and it makes me miss those days. Thirties are definitely a transitional period, starting a family, saving more, learning to live simply again.

ThatGuyFromCanada

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #24 on: February 18, 2014, 08:13:07 AM »
Thirties are definitely a transitional period, starting a family, saving more, learning to live simply again.

I think this is a very interesting way to look at it. Certainly for me, having kids has been the single biggest change and the adaptation there took some time to work out. 

nereo

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #25 on: February 18, 2014, 09:32:43 AM »
I'm not much over 30 (33) but what I wish I'd appreciated is how much my body would change between 28 and 32.
I've always been an athlete, and stressed/abused my body in my teens and 20s playing lots of different sports.

Now if I don't spend 30 minutes (or longer) stretching every day I'm barely functional.  I need to do core workouts several times a week or my whole body gets out of whack (shoulders, back, neck, etc).  It takes twice as long to heal now as it did just ~5 years ago.

I'm not overweight and I still do something active (swim/bike/ski) for an hour every day. But I have to take a lot of preventive measures just to avoid constant and chronic pain.

daverobev

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #26 on: February 18, 2014, 10:07:37 AM »
I'm not much over 30 (33) but what I wish I'd appreciated is how much my body would change between 28 and 32.
I've always been an athlete, and stressed/abused my body in my teens and 20s playing lots of different sports.

Now if I don't spend 30 minutes (or longer) stretching every day I'm barely functional.  I need to do core workouts several times a week or my whole body gets out of whack (shoulders, back, neck, etc).  It takes twice as long to heal now as it did just ~5 years ago.

I'm not overweight and I still do something active (swim/bike/ski) for an hour every day. But I have to take a lot of preventive measures just to avoid constant and chronic pain.

Interesting - I wonder if that is *because* you were so active when you were 'young' - or maybe it's all relative.

Sadly I *know* it only goes downhill from here :P

Undecided

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #27 on: February 18, 2014, 10:19:07 AM »
that it's time to cut back on the surfing and get a real job.  When you turn thirty, prospective employers expect you to be settled into a career choice

Other side of the coin---if you were buckled down and diligent in your 20s and have made it to 30 on a path this will lead to more "success" at work then you really want, work on how to leverage what you did already to put yourself in thee position you want, rather than the "best" position by most people's metrics.

gecko10x

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #28 on: February 18, 2014, 10:32:26 AM »
I apologize for the following.

<grammar police>

. . .  should of gone earlier . . .  I wouldn't of gotten laid off. 

should have or should've; wouldn't have

</grammar police>

As it relates to this thread, people will judge you for these types of written errors.

Silverwood

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #29 on: February 18, 2014, 10:41:26 AM »
It took me 10 mins to write that and I still messed up lol thanks for pointing out my mistakes

bogart

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #30 on: February 18, 2014, 10:48:19 AM »
Just one thing:  that for all the many things it can facilitate, one thing at which medical treatment of infertility remains hopeless at (and, indeed, is hindered by) is the negative effect that age has on a woman's likelihood of getting pregnant in any given opportunity/attempt.  There's little question that had I grasped that at 30 as fully as I grasp it now, I would have accelerated pursuing treatment, perhaps leading to quicker results (and saving vast sums of money, not to mention sanity, if it had done so).

Over a decade has elapsed since I hit 30, but that's changed very little if at all.


nereo

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #31 on: February 18, 2014, 11:03:12 AM »
Interesting - I wonder if that is *because* you were so active when you were 'young' - or maybe it's all relative.

Sadly I *know* it only goes downhill from here :P

I don't think I can ever know for sure... it's an 'unreplicated experiment'.  But I've sprained/broken many joints in my body over the years, and I have RSI in several places (my shoulder is the worst).  Some days it takes 10-15 minutes after I get out of bed just to stand normally. 

My point (I suppose) is for people approaching 30 not to neglect their bodies.  Stretch, build core muscles, good sitting posture and follow a routine for good physical health.  Everything adds up in the end (the good and the bad).

bogart

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #32 on: February 18, 2014, 12:37:20 PM »
My point (I suppose) is for people approaching 30 not to neglect their bodies.  Stretch, build core muscles, good sitting posture and follow a routine for good physical health.  Everything adds up in the end (the good and the bad).

I don't think it really hit me (pun intended) until I hit 40 (or maybe 42, the age at which I broke a shoulder quite badly) that this is the body that has to last me the rest of my life.  Dang!  Annoying, but true, so, totally agree on this one.

Also, shoulders are not well designed for durability/reparability, and for heavens sake, if you're going to break a bone, steer clear of the joints.  But I'll need to add those bits to the "40-something" thread, as apparently I'm a slow learner!

Gerard

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #33 on: February 18, 2014, 01:03:19 PM »
* 40-year-olds see you the way you see 20-year-olds.
*Your body is about to get tired of covering for you. Stretch. Sleep. Eat better.
*Don't put off adventures "until the kids are bigger". Maybe look for this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Adventuring-With-Children-Inspirational-Outdoors/dp/0962756245
*You're allowed to avoid things that you think everybody does. Especially, limit the number of expensive, time-draining, over-organized activities that your kids do. Or you, for that matter.
*You're still on the right side of the savings timeline. Amount of savings (and long timelines) will matter more than finding a slightly better investment.
*In the same way that unprepared people are seriously hampered by a single bad event, prepared people like you will be seriously helped by a single good event (job offer, promotion, gift, house price run-up, prize or award, social or professional connection).
*It'll be okay.

Elaine

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #34 on: February 18, 2014, 01:08:48 PM »
This is great to read- thanks to all writing this fantastic advice!

Tyler

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #35 on: February 18, 2014, 02:03:42 PM »
Prioritize spouse over other things in life (kids/work/other family/hobbies). So so so many people get divorced in their 30s. Work hard to prevent it even if you think it won't happen to you.

+1

30 is about the age where routine starts to really take hold. Your career is taking off and the responsibilities with it. Even if you don't have kids all your friends are, so the social life slows down. You're still young and energetic and think you can do everything at 100%, but haven't figured out yet that it doesn't work that way. Sooner or later something will give (health, marriage, job satisfaction, etc.) and because it's cumulative you won't see it coming. So many marriages end where the root cause was totally preventable if you took the time to look up and consider what you're trading off every day.

30 is a great age to start seeking balance before you even think you need it. Your 40-year old self will thank you later.

Emilyngh

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #36 on: February 18, 2014, 02:13:41 PM »
that it's time to cut back on the surfing and get a real job.  When you turn thirty, prospective employers expect you to be settled into a career choice

Other side of the coin---if you were buckled down and diligent in your 20s and have made it to 30 on a path this will lead to more "success" at work then you really want, work on how to leverage what you did already to put yourself in thee position you want, rather than the "best" position by most people's metrics.

I think that this is great advice.   I'm only 32, but I was always on a super fast track and ambitious, only to decide in my late twenties to start relaxing some and get off of the track.   I don't regret all of my hard work, b/c without it I wouldn't have the option to have such a lazy, but good life.   But, I think that success often requires buying into a vision that's then hard to walk away from, even when that success has gotten one "enough" already.   

SweetLife

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #37 on: February 18, 2014, 03:55:26 PM »
At 30 I wish I would have realized that there is NO rush to get married!!!! And that having family values and the same religion (or close to it), and the same general outlook on life are some of the most important elements in a successful marriage.

I wish I would NEVER have opened an (evil) Line of Credit to pay for my divorce/vehicle/etc... rather borrowed/paid back family.

I wish I would have taken a finance course at 30 and started savings. 

But those these things would have been nice ... I would never change the outcome of where I am today (happily married to an incredibly loving and all around wondeful man), expecting our first child and encountering this fantastic website (and the people therein) who have inspired me to make the changes needed to get my financial life in order :)

So ... getting here was a little bumpy but at 43 ... I am still loving my life!! :)  I guess that would be something else to tell my 30 year old self ... "You are going to be all right" 

Frugal Mama

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #38 on: February 18, 2014, 04:34:17 PM »
I'm 52 now and at 30  I wish I had known how much I was going to enjoy my children as adults.  I would've had a few more. ;)

Jobs can/will come and go.  There are so many times that we missed out on family visits, date nights, etc. in favor of working on a project and/or deadline.  We gave too much to our employers.  Looking back at our resumes, most of those employers are no longer in business.  I'm talking large firms, not small businesses.

Don't miss out on visiting the grandparents, they won't be around forever. 

Compound interest!

Enjoy your children.  They grow way too fast.

Undecided

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #39 on: February 18, 2014, 05:37:04 PM »
I think that this is great advice.   I'm only 32, but I was always on a super fast track and ambitious, only to decide in my late twenties to start relaxing some and get off of the track.   I don't regret all of my hard work, b/c without it I wouldn't have the option to have such a lazy, but good life.   But, I think that success often requires buying into a vision that's then hard to walk away from, even when that success has gotten one "enough" already.

I understand what you mean. You need to be strong to put yourself in the position to get something widely wanted, but then turn your back on it. But for me, it worked out to be the foundation for a pretty great life.

Cwadda

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #40 on: February 18, 2014, 05:57:49 PM »
Quote
At 30 I wish I would have realized that there is NO rush to get married!!!! And that having family values and the same religion (or close to it), and the same general outlook on life are some of the most important elements in a successful marriage.

Wow, this is exactly what I needed to read. Thanks so much!

Thegoblinchief

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #41 on: February 18, 2014, 06:14:41 PM »
I dream of becoming more adventurous when my kids are older.

Take your family camping.  Start in the yard, then at a nearby state campground for short trips and go from there.  We have precious memories of camping with our little boys.  It got them into nature and away from the electronics.

+1

You'd be surprised what kids are capable of. Structured vacations can stress them out, but my goblins are more adventurous than I am.

Edit: interesting to notice the stress on divorce in 30s. Noted, even though   I think it's unlikely. Communication, communication, communication!

Spouses change. Change TOGETHER.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2014, 06:22:10 PM by Thegoblinchief »

SweetLife

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #42 on: February 25, 2014, 09:49:40 AM »
@Cwadda

Glad it helped :)  ... I have heard too many stories of friends who thought they were "forced" into marriage by either age, family (that is a big one especially coupled with loads of GUILT!!!), never thinking they will find better, thinking things will get better after they are married .... (that one is so very sad) ...

There is ALWAYS an out ... don't ever feel pressured to get married ...

Enjoy!!! :)

Retireme32

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #43 on: February 25, 2014, 11:12:52 AM »
So I'm only 28 but I feel older and tend to act older. Although I just think that's because so many people my age people are so incredibly stupid.

I get a lot of "You are doing so great and are so ahead of others your age". I don't listen to this and compare myself to others on here.

Also trust yourself.  My parents are great but there have been key moments in my life where I have and haven't listened to them and its made a huge difference. For example my job. I ended up going to school for it and should of gone earlier instead of trusting them that my uncle could get me in the door. If I had been in the earlier class I wouldn't of gotten laid off. 

And the older I get the less I feel the need to fit in. So Id say stay strong in your beliefs and the like minded people will find you.



Silverwood -  Stay true to yourself! The whole thing about feeling older than you are - You are an old soul.  Has anyone ever told you that? I am the same.  I will be 33 in a month.   And I didn't start to feel like I had anything in common with people my own age until a few years ago -probably late 20's.  And I never took their advice b/c they were the same age as me - what the heck did they know more than me? They hadn't lived any longer.   I think our 30's will be a great decade, partially b/c people our own age are catching up to us and also b/c having friends that are older than you is less of a big deal than it was when we were say 22.  And also........b/c unlike a lot of our peers who want us to thinks we're "doing so good" .........we'll be retired very soon......  :) Cheers.

ladybirdnyc

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #44 on: February 25, 2014, 02:54:05 PM »
I'd chime in that age 30 is a great time to start confronting the personal demons in your past. Any abuse, major family dysfunction, depression/anxiety, relationship issues that you know are holding you back....have the courage to start dealing with it. See a therapist, go to Al-anon meetings, exercise, meditate.....whatever works for you. Keep working at it so you can get some peace for yourself later in life. As some one else already said...your 40s self will thank you!

apoclater

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #45 on: February 25, 2014, 07:20:42 PM »
For those who are saying they are having a harder time healing, longer workout recovery times, need for a ton of stretching, etc…

I'm curious, what did you do in your 20s in terms of fitness and nutrition?  The people I know in their 30s/40s that are really having problems are overweight and didn't do much lifting/walking/play (sports, etc) and currently don't do much either.  That being said, there's a crossfit/powerlifting circle that just started up where I work, and the guys who have been doing it 3-6 months have noticed ridiculous improvement in sleep, strength, energy, etc--whether they had started that kind of exercise in their 20s or not.  A lot of people said they feel better now than in their 20s.

The knitter

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Re: Things you wish you knew when you were... 30?
« Reply #46 on: February 25, 2014, 07:52:25 PM »
Great thread. I just turned 30 a couple months ago and so I'm soaking up all this advice.

Especially about the fitness stuff. My pants get a little tighter every day :(