So last Tuesday I turned 30. I’m not sure exactly what you’re supposed to do when you turn 30, or how your life is supposed to change? For some reason, 30 seems like a milestone that should be marked by some sort of massive life change. Just google “turning 30″ and you’ll find a host of articles and posts written by panicked 29 year-olds.
I thought it would be interesting to reflect a little on the past 12 years of my life. So much has changed and it’s funny to look at how my interests and attitudes have changed. Hopefully my friends and family can attest to the fact that I’ve now a more mature, well-rounded and educated (life-not books) young woman. Are you still a young woman when you turn 30? Ekk maybe I’m a full-fledged woman now?
At Age 18:
- I moved 7 hours away from home (Maine) to attend college
- I wanted to explore the world
- I had a boyfriend I believed I would marry
- I imagined by age 30 I’d be married with at least one child
- I’d never eaten sushi or buffalo wings
- I hated beer, detested wine, and only drank fruity mixed drinks
- I’d never traveled outside of the US (well Canada only)
- I had no debt, no savings (all my savings went to my first semester of college) & no retirement
At 24:
- I moved from Boston to NYC to attend graduate school
- I’d done a little more “exploring of the world”, well at least the US
- I had a boyfriend I knew I wouldn’t marry & I was OK with that
- I thought I might be married by 30, but definitely wouldn’t have a baby by then
- Sushi and Buffalo wings-check check plus many other “exotic” foods
- I loved wine, liked beer and could drink fruity mixed drinks
- I’d traveled to 3 Countries outside of the US (4 including Canada)
- I had $30k in student debt, no savings & no retirement
At 30:
- I’m still in the NYC area
- There’s so much of the world I still
wantneed to explore - I have the boyfriend, that I know I want to marry
- I’m OK with getting married and having kids when the time is “right”, but I’m not in a rush
- I’ve been to “fancy”, expensive and even “famous” restaurants
- I love craft beers & have learned to enjoy good wine
Iwe own our first condo-with a mortgage we’re aggressively paying on- All of my student debt is paid in full, I have $12k in savings & $3k in retirement
- I have a professional job, a professional license and 4 full-time staff
For the most part I feel really good about where I am in my life right now and the things I’ve accomplished and achieved. I have a a wonderful family, fabulous friends, and a boyfriend I love very much. We have an adorable home together and 3 “fur-babies” that mean the world to us. Admittedly, If I hadn’t taken out 30K in student loans I’d certainly have more savings and more money in retirement, but live and learn, right? I’m almost eligible to sit for my second professional license and hope to pass the test and get a raise this year (see my goals for 2013 here). I’m also hoping with my additional license I’ll be able to begin thinking about different career options.
Where were you in your life at age 30? Were you pleased with what you’d accomplished? Suggestions on where to go from here?
Image: Dan Morelle
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Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank
January 9, 2013 at 7:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think you are doing great and I really like this idea as a blog post.
I am just shy of 30, but I think 18 year old me would be happy with where I am at. The almost 30 year old me wants a lot more though. Interesting how our views change as we get older.
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Glen. It’s funny for me to think about how much my life has changed in such a short period of time. I’m sure the next 10 years will be just as eventful.
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies
January 9, 2013 at 8:20 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Happy belated birthday!
I turned 30 a few months ago, and I would say we’re definitely still young women. Of course, my perspective may be skewed given I live in an area where the average age is about 60. =)
While I’m pretty happy with where I am at 30, there’s really only one outstanding question that I thought I’d have decided by now that’s still up in the air. Kids. I’ve extended my personal “decide by” date on that one to 35 now, I think.
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:48 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks! Young women
Here in the NYC area everyone gets married and has kids later, so I don’t feel “behind” the way I probably would if I’d stayed in Maine. Many of my HS classmates who stayed at home already have 1-2 kids. I think 35 is a good decide by age. Kids are a game changer, so I think it makes sense to wait until you’re ready.
Jamie Dickinson
January 9, 2013 at 8:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Fantastic achievements. Well done!
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:49 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Jamie
DC @ Young Adult Money
January 9, 2013 at 8:42 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I really enjoyed reading that! I will have to do something similar when I turn 30
It’s fun to reflect back on how things have changed. I wouldn’t worry at all about not having much savings or retirement at 30. The fact that you paid down ALL your student debt and finished graduate school is a small miracle in itself. The cash flow from not having debt should more than compensate for what you may view as a “late start” to savings (I don’t view it that way if you were wondering). Happy Birthday!
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:50 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
DC, I feel the same way. I know some people think I got a late start on the retirement savings, but the money I’ll be able to save not having all that debt should more than compensate for the late start in a few years.
Holly@ClubThrifty
January 9, 2013 at 9:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
At age 30, I was pregnant with my second child and extremely happy with where I was. That was three years ago and now I am still happy with everything!
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think everyone has their own timeline. My best friend is pregnant with her second and just turned 30. For a brief moment when I found out she was pregnant the first time I felt like, “Oh man, maybe I’m behind”. But everybody is different and I wouldn’t have been ready to have a child 2 years ago. I know we want kids, it’s just a matter of when. When the boyfriend proposes maybe we can think about it more seriously
John S @ Frugal Rules
January 9, 2013 at 1:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nice post! Oh, how I wish I was just turning 30…I am looking down the other end of that decade.
At 30 we had just bought our house and was close to getting out of debt. I think you’re doing great, especially having your student loan debt paid off.
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:56 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks John. Everyone I’ve talked to who’s already 30 has said that the 30s are the best decade because so many things happen and you’re finally feeling like you’re making progress and getting things done. The first 9 days have been good so far
Brick By Brick Investing | Marvin
January 9, 2013 at 1:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congratulations on your success it was nice to see your progression over the years. I haven’t hit 30 quite yet but will this year and feel that my life is going in a great direction. If only I had known what I know now when I was 18, life would be a lot easier
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:58 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Right? I was so young and immature at 18. I’m surprised to see how many fellow bloggers are 30 or right around 30. I guess in my mind I thought everyone was older because everyone is so accomplished.
Mackenzie
January 9, 2013 at 1:56 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Happy belated birthday!!! 30 was a good age. I was engaged to be married and we bought our first house. Cheers to many more happy birthdays for you!
KK
January 10, 2013 at 8:58 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Mackenzie! I’ve heard 30 is a lot of fun. So far so good. I’m still working on the engagement piece.
Tackling Our Debt
January 9, 2013 at 2:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You’ve accomplished so much! Happy Birthday!!
The year I turned 30 I married my first husband. The falling spring we bought our first house. Oh, how time flies. You will find that the older you get the faster time seems to go by.
KK
January 10, 2013 at 9:00 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Sicorra. I already feel like time goes by so quickly. I guess that’s a good thing, I’m never bored that’s for sure.
Marissa @ Thirty Six Months
January 9, 2013 at 5:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Happpyyyy birthday!
You’ve done more in 30 years than others have in their entire lives.
KK
January 10, 2013 at 9:00 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Marissa. I feel pretty good about where I am right now.
krantcents
January 9, 2013 at 8:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
By the time, I turned thirty, I had two children and was married for eight years. I just sold my first home to buy my dream home on the hill. I had no debt except for a mortgage and savings ready for investing. At thirty-one, I stated investing in income property..
KK
January 10, 2013 at 9:03 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We’re a ways away from our dream home, but feel really good about where we are so far. We’re hoping to buy an income property in the next few years. I love hearing where everyone else was at 30. Gives me hope and perspective.
Brian Fourman
January 9, 2013 at 9:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You should feel great about yourself, especially the part about paying off 30K in student loans and managing to save 12K and 3k for retirement in 6 years. That’s awesome! Continue to set goals and follow your dreams…40 will be here before you know it…trust me.
KK
January 10, 2013 at 9:06 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Brian. I think I’m the only one of my friends who has already paid off my debt. 30 used to seem so “old” now 40 feels so young. I guess as you get older your perspective changes. I still feel like I have a lot to do, but I’m happy with where I am so far.
Snarkfinance.com
January 10, 2013 at 9:13 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am not thirty yet… but congratulations on killing of those infernal student loans so quickly! Evil corporations feeding a subversive system, glad to hear you are out!
KK
January 13, 2013 at 9:26 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks, it’s good to be “free”.
C The Writer
January 10, 2013 at 11:17 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am not pleased at all with where I am in life.
I wish I had someone I would marry.
KK
January 13, 2013 at 9:27 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hang in there. There have been plenty of times I’ve been miserable with where I am in life.
Thad
January 10, 2013 at 1:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You have achieved a great deal already!
I am two decades past 30. Each year doesn’t seem so big a monument, but each decade surely does.
BTW, Happy Birthday!
KK
January 13, 2013 at 9:27 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Thad. The first three have been pretty good, I’m hoping the next three are even better
Buck Joffrey
January 10, 2013 at 11:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
KK- I’m going to be 40 in September. First–it was like yesterday that I turned 30 so hold on to your hat! It goes fast. Second, I have come to realize that aging doesn’t bother me as long as I am happy with where I am in life. Turning 40 would bother me a lot more if I didn’t have my two daughters, my lovely wife, and my businesses. Besides, it’s the new 30
KK
January 13, 2013 at 9:30 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Aww, I hope in the next ten years I’ll be able to say the same, (well with a husband and kids;-)) Time already seems to be going so quickly, I’m sure it goes even faster from here on in.
Elizabeth @ Broke Professionals
January 12, 2013 at 2:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a fun question! (BTW, I turned 30 last spring; I could have said the EXACT same things about myself at 18 as you did, except I went 7 hours away to school in NC instead).
At 30, I’m married, two kids, a dog, a mortgage; I “retired” from one career to try something totally different, and surprised myself by succeeding. I haven’t set a lot of goals for the next decade, but your post as me thinking maybe I should!
KK
January 13, 2013 at 9:32 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think goals are so important. I love to see how much I’ve accomplished and how far I still have to go. I’m hoping in the next few years I’ll be married and maybe thinking about kids. I’m also hoping for a career change, or at least a move into something less stressful.
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