30 essential skills to know before you turn 30

Photo by Mohammad Saifullah on Unsplash

How to grocery shop

There is an art to grocery shopping that many of us never knew existed. From learning how to coupon (thank you Grandma), to picking out quality produce and meats, there are certain skills that come from making bad decisions and continued practice. By the time you hit 30, however, you should know how not spend $100 on junk food, how to pick out the best meats and fresh fruits and vegetables, and also how to save money and spend on a budget. Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a terrible and overly expensive endeavor. It is all about planning out your trip and finding ways to save money when you can.

Be a good listener

Being a good listener is extremely useful. At 30, you should be able to listen to people, empathize with them, and know when to speak and when to stay quiet. Being someone who is a good listener means not waiting to speak as soon as the other person stops talking. Instead, it is about actually hearing what the person is saying and being able to truly understand what they are talking about with you.

Have a basic knowledge of geography

You should have a basic knowledge (and understanding) of geography. You should know not just where you live, but where other people live as well. If nothing else, having a basic understanding of your own country, the countries around you, and the seven continents is the bare minimum you should know. Considering how eclectic and mixed our society is at this point, you could be doing yourself a huge favor by taking time to understand the world around you. When you travel, socialize, or even just want to go on vacation, this kind of knowledge will come in handy.

Know how to negotiate

Negotiation skills are necessary, and we aren’t just talking about negotiating salaries or things related to work. If someone asks you to do something you don’t necessarily want to do, then you need to be able to assert yourself and not just automatically answer in the affirmative. Negotiating is all about compromise and it is important to know when to give and when to stand your ground.

Learn how to sew

In terms of life basics, you should at least know how to sew on a button. Things happen, buttons pop off, and if you can sew even just a little bit, you won’t have to throw out your favorite shirt just because a button makes an impromptu escape. Not only will having simple sewing knowledge help you fix your clothes, but it can save you money in the long run. No need for a seamstress, you got it. No need to replace your clothes, because you already fixed the ones you have!