There are no rules about how to live your life, but if there’s one thing that we can all agree on, it’s that education is key, and knowledge is power! The more you know, the more options you have, and the more able you will be to create a life that you’re proud of. You’ve got excuses when you’re young, but when you’re reaching your third decade on this planet, it’s time you know a thing or two. Below, we take a look at ten things you should have in the knowledge bank by the time you’re thirty.

Life Isn’t Always Fun
Wouldn’t it be nice, if life could be a never-ending series of perfect, joyful moments? Of course, it would. Alas, life can’t always be like that. There are times when you’ll have to do things that you’d rather not do, in order to improve yourself, help others, and make the world a better place. While this can be a little bit annoying from time to time, at least you’ll appreciate the good times, even more, when they arrive.

Eating Well Is Simple...and Recommended
When you’re younger, it seems like you can eat whatever you like, and not feel any better or worse. But after a certain age, it’s unwise to only eat with your taste buds in mind. If you’re still hitting up your local takeaway joint multiple times a week, it might be time to look up a few simple recipes and get to work on improving your culinary skills. It can be a little intimidating to have to make your own meals, but it’s easier than it looks, and the food that you do make will normally be tastier and healthier than most things you’d buy anyway.

Parents Are Trying Their Best
We’ve all been there. You’re young, raging with hormones, and all you can think is that your life would be so much better if your parents would just let you do what you wanted. But then you become an adult, and you realise that actually, they were right all along: they did have a good sense of what was good for you. And even though sometimes they misfired and handled things incorrectly, they only had your best interests at heart - no-one’s perfect!

Some People Will Be Bad For You
It is, generally, a good idea to have an open-minded approach when it comes to other people. Spread the love around; we’re all human after all! But while you should give everyone a fair shot, there’s little use putting yourself through misery just to accommodate another person. Though they might not be malicious, there will be people out there who are simply not good for you. They may put you down, or draw you into a lifestyle that’s no longer suitable for you. It’ll take courage to do so, but you might be well-served by leaving these characters behind, at least until they get their act together.

Control of Your Work
It is oh so tempting to blame your lack of career progress on the economy or your mean boss who doesn’t value all the effort that you’re putting in. In truth, it’s on you. That can be hard to hear and accept, but it’s true; no-one’s going to give you anything. And while the economy might not be the best, it’s true for many other people in the same circumstances as you. So don’t complain, or sulk - just get on with being the best you can be. If you work hard and have an ounce of patience, you’ll see that good times can come.

Renting Versus Buying
There are advantages to both renting and buying a property, and which one is the right choice for you depends on numerous factors. While you don’t need to commit to one or the other right now, you should at least be aware of what’s involved in both choices. You should know about the process of saving for a deposit, choosing a mortgage plan, finding a home, and so on. If you don’t think you’ll buy, then finding a way to build a home for yourself even though you’re renting is essential. When the time comes to settle down, you’ll need a roof over your head!
 
Get a Grip on Finances
It’s easy to adopt a pretty rock and roll approach to your finances when you’re in your twenties. There are trips to take, cars to be bought, festival tickets to be bought, and so on. Yet one day, the party of spending the bulk of what you earn will have to come to an end. You’ll need to get a grip on the state of your financial affairs. The good news is that it’s never too late to begin your journey towards financial independence and security. Even vowing to put away a small amount of money into a savings account each week is a good start.

What’s Good For You
It’s easy to get caught up in the stream of everyday life. You go out, do this, do that, and life continues to move forward. But at some point, you need to figure out what’s good for you, what you need to be happy. While it’s recommended to try new things, it’s also a good idea to understand the pieces of the jigsaw that can lead to a contented heart and mind. If that means waving goodbye to some things in your life, then so be it.

You Can Do Things By Yourself
You don’t always need to have someone holding your hand. If you’re forever waiting for other people to jump on board before you do something, then you’re going to miss out on a great deal! Instead, be comfortable with doing things by yourself - you’ll find that you become something of a leader and you rarely end up going solo, anyway.

There Is No Path To Follow
And that’s about all there is to it. Live the life that makes you and other people happy. Enjoy.