Life Skills You Should Have by Age 30
Life Skills You Should Have by Age 30
Nov 26, 2021
In theory, most of us know we should be prepared for anything. But the reality is we
can sometimes feel woefully unequipped to handle all the curve-balls life throws our
way. Let’s face it—sometimes it is HARD to be a grownup! And some of the time we
are so focused on ensuring our children learn their own life skills, that we forget to
make sure we’re learning the life skills we need for our family.
Welcome message from author
It doesn’t matter if you still live at home with Mom and Dad, have bought a house of
your own, or rent an overpriced apartment in a big city. It doesn’t matter if you’re
single, dating around, or married. Heck, it doesn’t even matter if you’re fully
employed, still in school, or working part time. There are certain definitive things you
should know how to do as an adult. It may seem useless to know how to cook and peel
a hard-boiled egg or fold a fitted sheet or read a map in the age of smartphones, but
without these skills you very well could be up a creek with no paddle.
Transcript
Slide 1Overview
In theory, most of us know we should be prepared for anything. But the reality is we
can sometimes feel woefully unequipped to handle all the curve-balls life throws our
way. Let’s face it—sometimes it is HARD to be a grownup! And some of the time we
are so focused on ensuring our children learn their own life skills, that we forget to
make sure we’re learning the life skills we need for our family.
Bake
Sure, you can always just buy cookies, cakes and pies from the grocery store, but
knowing how to make a simple chocolate chip cookie, pie crust and basic cake will
make all the difference in how you entertain guests. Plus, those desserts always taste
better when you make them yourself.
Practice
etiquette
OK, everyone knows to say “please” and “thank you” at a meal, but it’s also important
to know how to use a napkin, what to do with your fork and hands while talking at
the table and that you really do need to pass the salt and pepper together. You don’t
want to make a major dinner table etiquette mistake, do you?
Be alone
It’s important to know how to be at peace with yourself. Don’t be afraid of eating
alone, going to the movies by yourself or showing up at a party without a date. You’ll
gain a new sense of confidence by doing this.
Budget
It’s not a fun thing to do, but you can avoid going into major debt by creating a
budgeting worksheet. Record your income, fixed monthly expenses (bills, rent,
mortgages, loans, etc.), variable expenses (groceries, nights out at the local dive bar)
and balance them out. Review your budget on a regular basis.
Change a tire
You don’t want to have to call an expensive tow truck when you’re out in the middle
of nowhere on a road trip, do you? Changing a tire is surprisingly easy. But first, you
need to know to keep a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench in your trunk.
Clean quickly
and thoroughly
You should know how to clean everything in your home, from the kitchen to the carpets
to a toilet and a sink. Of course, the easiest way to clean quickly and thoroughly is to
keep your home neat, tidy, and orderly on a daily basis.
Cook eggs
You should know how to cook eggs at least a few different ways. Whether you poach
an egg, hard-boil an egg or scramble eggs, this skill is a quick and easy way to
guarantee you have a healthy breakfast.
Drive stick
shift
You don’t want to be left without knowing how to drive each and every type of car.
Driving stick gives you a better understanding of your car and can get you out of a
sticky situation if someone lends you a car with a manual transmission.
Fix things
around the
house
You don’t want to call an electrician every time a fuse blows, call a plumber every
time your toilet overflows, or buy a new washing machine every time it goes a little
haywire. Learning basic handiness skills can help you save loads of money.
Grill
Summertime isn’t complete without a few cookouts, and grilling is a delicious,
healthy way to prepare meals. Know how to make a few backyard staples such
as chicken, burgers, and grilled vegetables. If you want to impress a date, it’s also
quite handy to know how to grill a killer steak.
Introduce
yourself
You should know how to approach someone in a friendly manner, have a firm
handshake, and how to formally make an acquaintance. Make eye contact, smile, say
hi, and say your name.
Use a knife
No, we’re not talking ninja knife skills — though that would be pretty sweet. You
should know the five basic vegetable knife cuts: batonnet, brunoise, julienne,
macédoine, and paysanne. Knowing how to mince, chop, and chiffonade is also beyond
useful.
(and fold It)
Don’t rely on Mom or the laundry pickup service. Know how to separate your laundry,
wash everything without destroying your clothes, and what items should and should not
be dried. While you’re at it, learn a proper folding technique instead of stuffing your
clothes into the drawer. And, yes, that means you should know how to fold a fitted
sheet.
Make coffee
and tea
It may be easy just to toss a K-Cup into your Keurig, but you should really know how
to work a coffee maker and how to make a big batch of brew. For the summertime, it
may also be useful to know how to make your own cold brew at home. And
stop microwaving your water for tea — know how to bring a kettle to a boil.
Open a bottle
of wine or
Champagne
Know how to use a corkscrew without breaking the cork or your wrist. If you’re
without a corkscrew, having a few different ways to open wine in your mental
Rolodex also can’t hurt.
Practice self
care
Taking care of yourself is absolutely key to living a healthy life. Know when you need
to take a mental health day off of work, consider taking up yoga or meditation and
feel free to treat yourself from time to time with something that you love (like a new
outfit, manicure or special dessert).
Read a map
Yes, Google Maps and GPS navigators are wonderful things, but reading a good old-
fashioned map is a skill that will come in handy when your phone dies and your GPS is
broken. Reading a map also helps you to get to know your surroundings better, so
eventually you won’t even need Siri to tell you how to get home from your friend’s
house.
Say “No”
You can’t please everyone all the time. Saying “no” to your boss, to your friends, and
even to yourself is really important. As simple as it may sound, this life skill can
actually be a difficult one to learn.
Send a
card
Send your thanks as soon as you can, roughly within two weeks. Generally, thank you
note etiquette is something you should know. These formal cards are still the best way
to send your appreciation for a thoughtful gift.
Sew
Don’t throw out that dress shirt just because it lost a button! Knowing how to patch a
hole in a top, put a button back on a coat, or hem a pair of pants can save you tons of
money.
Speak in public
Sure, you won’t be making grand speeches every day like you would in public
speaking class in college. But knowing how to talk at a business meeting, give a toast,
and address people in a crowd will help to build your confidence.
Tip
Knowing when it is and is not appropriate to tip a person can be the difference
between receiving quality service or offending your server. At a restaurant, 20 percent
is the standard tip in the United States, so get your mental math in check instead of
whipping out the calculator. A quick tip on tips: Round your bill to the nearest $5,
move the decimal point one spot to the left, and double that amount. Voila! You have a
20 percent tip!
Wrap presents
Gift bags are fine and good, but you know what aren’t fine and good? Sloppily
wrapped gifts. Know how to at least wrap a simple box with crisp edges. When done
correctly, you won’t need more than three pieces of tape — max!
How to Use a
Calendar &
Schedule
The ability to use a clock and a calendar is at the foundation of time management—
which is a life skill in itself. A calendar simplifies your life and helps you get everything
done, every day. You don’t have to live and die by your calendar, but learning how
to block off time for activities and scheduled events will make your life SO much
easier.
Emergency
Preparedness
When a disaster hits, like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or a global pandemic like
COVID-19, would you know what to do? What if your house burned down or you
were in an accident? Emergency preparedness can sometimes seem extreme or scary,
but having basic emergency skills and knowing what to do if a catastrophe strikes can
help you gain peace of mind and keep you and your family safe from harm. And it’s
definitely not too late to take action on any of these today!
Basic First Aid
Do you know what to do if someone has a deep cut or a broken bone? Do you know
the signs of a heart attack, a stroke or a concussion? As moms, we often have to be
many things, but when we have to bring out the doctor’s bag, it can be our most
critical role. Pick up a basic first aid book if you feel like your skills are rusty. It’s
common to panic in emergency situations, but if you’re well versed in first aid, you’ll
be able to rely on your instincts and knowledge and you’ll come to the rescue with a
cooler head.
Coupons
Coupons will save you so much money! Yes, it’s a skill and it can seem a little daunting,
but it’s really easy to get started. Most stores now offer e-coupons that you can clip
right on your phone and then just have them scanned once you are at the register.
Check with each store for their policies. With a little organization and some practice,
you’ll become a couponing queen (and you’ll rarely catch yourself paying full price for
ANYTHING).
Basic
Etiquette
Gone are the days of Emily Post and worrying about being judged for failing to use the
proper fork at the dinner table (unless your family is VERY formal). Understanding
basic etiquette, however, is still relevant and vital in today’s society. Politeness is about
consideration for the feelings of others and making sure you don’t do something that
offends or frankly, grosses people out. (Like chewing with your mouth closed. And,
for gosh sakes, clip your fingernails at home, not on the bus!)
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you still live at home with Mom and Dad, have bought a house of
your own, or rent an overpriced apartment in a big city. It doesn’t matter if you’re
single, dating around, or married. Heck, it doesn’t even matter if you’re fully
employed, still in school, or working part time. There are certain definitive things you
should know how to do as an adult. It may seem useless to know how to cook and peel
a hard-boiled egg or fold a fitted sheet or read a map in the age of smartphones, but
without these skills you very well could be up a creek with no paddle.
In theory, most of us know we should be prepared for anything. But the reality is we
can sometimes feel woefully unequipped to handle all the curve-balls life throws our
way. Let’s face it—sometimes it is HARD to be a grownup! And some of the time we
are so focused on ensuring our children learn their own life skills, that we forget to
make sure we’re learning the life skills we need for our family.
Bake
Sure, you can always just buy cookies, cakes and pies from the grocery store, but
knowing how to make a simple chocolate chip cookie, pie crust and basic cake will
make all the difference in how you entertain guests. Plus, those desserts always taste
better when you make them yourself.
Practice
etiquette
OK, everyone knows to say “please” and “thank you” at a meal, but it’s also important
to know how to use a napkin, what to do with your fork and hands while talking at
the table and that you really do need to pass the salt and pepper together. You don’t
want to make a major dinner table etiquette mistake, do you?
Be alone
It’s important to know how to be at peace with yourself. Don’t be afraid of eating
alone, going to the movies by yourself or showing up at a party without a date. You’ll
gain a new sense of confidence by doing this.
Budget
It’s not a fun thing to do, but you can avoid going into major debt by creating a
budgeting worksheet. Record your income, fixed monthly expenses (bills, rent,
mortgages, loans, etc.), variable expenses (groceries, nights out at the local dive bar)
and balance them out. Review your budget on a regular basis.
Change a tire
You don’t want to have to call an expensive tow truck when you’re out in the middle
of nowhere on a road trip, do you? Changing a tire is surprisingly easy. But first, you
need to know to keep a spare tire, jack, and lug wrench in your trunk.
Clean quickly
and thoroughly
You should know how to clean everything in your home, from the kitchen to the carpets
to a toilet and a sink. Of course, the easiest way to clean quickly and thoroughly is to
keep your home neat, tidy, and orderly on a daily basis.
Cook eggs
You should know how to cook eggs at least a few different ways. Whether you poach
an egg, hard-boil an egg or scramble eggs, this skill is a quick and easy way to
guarantee you have a healthy breakfast.
Drive stick
shift
You don’t want to be left without knowing how to drive each and every type of car.
Driving stick gives you a better understanding of your car and can get you out of a
sticky situation if someone lends you a car with a manual transmission.
Fix things
around the
house
You don’t want to call an electrician every time a fuse blows, call a plumber every
time your toilet overflows, or buy a new washing machine every time it goes a little
haywire. Learning basic handiness skills can help you save loads of money.
Grill
Summertime isn’t complete without a few cookouts, and grilling is a delicious,
healthy way to prepare meals. Know how to make a few backyard staples such
as chicken, burgers, and grilled vegetables. If you want to impress a date, it’s also
quite handy to know how to grill a killer steak.
Introduce
yourself
You should know how to approach someone in a friendly manner, have a firm
handshake, and how to formally make an acquaintance. Make eye contact, smile, say
hi, and say your name.
Use a knife
No, we’re not talking ninja knife skills — though that would be pretty sweet. You
should know the five basic vegetable knife cuts: batonnet, brunoise, julienne,
macédoine, and paysanne. Knowing how to mince, chop, and chiffonade is also beyond
useful.
(and fold It)
Don’t rely on Mom or the laundry pickup service. Know how to separate your laundry,
wash everything without destroying your clothes, and what items should and should not
be dried. While you’re at it, learn a proper folding technique instead of stuffing your
clothes into the drawer. And, yes, that means you should know how to fold a fitted
sheet.
Make coffee
and tea
It may be easy just to toss a K-Cup into your Keurig, but you should really know how
to work a coffee maker and how to make a big batch of brew. For the summertime, it
may also be useful to know how to make your own cold brew at home. And
stop microwaving your water for tea — know how to bring a kettle to a boil.
Open a bottle
of wine or
Champagne
Know how to use a corkscrew without breaking the cork or your wrist. If you’re
without a corkscrew, having a few different ways to open wine in your mental
Rolodex also can’t hurt.
Practice self
care
Taking care of yourself is absolutely key to living a healthy life. Know when you need
to take a mental health day off of work, consider taking up yoga or meditation and
feel free to treat yourself from time to time with something that you love (like a new
outfit, manicure or special dessert).
Read a map
Yes, Google Maps and GPS navigators are wonderful things, but reading a good old-
fashioned map is a skill that will come in handy when your phone dies and your GPS is
broken. Reading a map also helps you to get to know your surroundings better, so
eventually you won’t even need Siri to tell you how to get home from your friend’s
house.
Say “No”
You can’t please everyone all the time. Saying “no” to your boss, to your friends, and
even to yourself is really important. As simple as it may sound, this life skill can
actually be a difficult one to learn.
Send a
card
Send your thanks as soon as you can, roughly within two weeks. Generally, thank you
note etiquette is something you should know. These formal cards are still the best way
to send your appreciation for a thoughtful gift.
Sew
Don’t throw out that dress shirt just because it lost a button! Knowing how to patch a
hole in a top, put a button back on a coat, or hem a pair of pants can save you tons of
money.
Speak in public
Sure, you won’t be making grand speeches every day like you would in public
speaking class in college. But knowing how to talk at a business meeting, give a toast,
and address people in a crowd will help to build your confidence.
Tip
Knowing when it is and is not appropriate to tip a person can be the difference
between receiving quality service or offending your server. At a restaurant, 20 percent
is the standard tip in the United States, so get your mental math in check instead of
whipping out the calculator. A quick tip on tips: Round your bill to the nearest $5,
move the decimal point one spot to the left, and double that amount. Voila! You have a
20 percent tip!
Wrap presents
Gift bags are fine and good, but you know what aren’t fine and good? Sloppily
wrapped gifts. Know how to at least wrap a simple box with crisp edges. When done
correctly, you won’t need more than three pieces of tape — max!
How to Use a
Calendar &
Schedule
The ability to use a clock and a calendar is at the foundation of time management—
which is a life skill in itself. A calendar simplifies your life and helps you get everything
done, every day. You don’t have to live and die by your calendar, but learning how
to block off time for activities and scheduled events will make your life SO much
easier.
Emergency
Preparedness
When a disaster hits, like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or a global pandemic like
COVID-19, would you know what to do? What if your house burned down or you
were in an accident? Emergency preparedness can sometimes seem extreme or scary,
but having basic emergency skills and knowing what to do if a catastrophe strikes can
help you gain peace of mind and keep you and your family safe from harm. And it’s
definitely not too late to take action on any of these today!
Basic First Aid
Do you know what to do if someone has a deep cut or a broken bone? Do you know
the signs of a heart attack, a stroke or a concussion? As moms, we often have to be
many things, but when we have to bring out the doctor’s bag, it can be our most
critical role. Pick up a basic first aid book if you feel like your skills are rusty. It’s
common to panic in emergency situations, but if you’re well versed in first aid, you’ll
be able to rely on your instincts and knowledge and you’ll come to the rescue with a
cooler head.
Coupons
Coupons will save you so much money! Yes, it’s a skill and it can seem a little daunting,
but it’s really easy to get started. Most stores now offer e-coupons that you can clip
right on your phone and then just have them scanned once you are at the register.
Check with each store for their policies. With a little organization and some practice,
you’ll become a couponing queen (and you’ll rarely catch yourself paying full price for
ANYTHING).
Basic
Etiquette
Gone are the days of Emily Post and worrying about being judged for failing to use the
proper fork at the dinner table (unless your family is VERY formal). Understanding
basic etiquette, however, is still relevant and vital in today’s society. Politeness is about
consideration for the feelings of others and making sure you don’t do something that
offends or frankly, grosses people out. (Like chewing with your mouth closed. And,
for gosh sakes, clip your fingernails at home, not on the bus!)
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you still live at home with Mom and Dad, have bought a house of
your own, or rent an overpriced apartment in a big city. It doesn’t matter if you’re
single, dating around, or married. Heck, it doesn’t even matter if you’re fully
employed, still in school, or working part time. There are certain definitive things you
should know how to do as an adult. It may seem useless to know how to cook and peel
a hard-boiled egg or fold a fitted sheet or read a map in the age of smartphones, but
without these skills you very well could be up a creek with no paddle.
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