Normally, I ignore them. I was bored enough at a work meeting today that I opened it. I scrolled through the usual semi-insulting articles and then clicked on one entitled "10 Things Everyone Should Have by 30." Having just turned 29, I was curious. What important items do I have less than one year to acquire?!
Here's how I stack up:
1. A Piece of Art: It goes on to clarify that this does not mean a poster or print of something like Starry Night. This one, I've got covered. I think. While I still cannot afford an original piece of art, a canvas that an artist's brush actually touched, I do have prints of unique pieces from several artists. I have a gorgeous lotus print from the artist that designed the White Temple, an unbelievably intricate piece of art itself, in Thailand (I admired them the first year I went there and second year I returned to the temple specifically to buy a piece). There's art I've created, and many other prints I have bought at fairs, etc. Someday I would like "real" piece of art, but that is not going to be in the budget any time soon.
4. Set of Tools: Check., A whole utility shed full of them. They are my husband's, but I do know how to use most of them. Counts.
5. A Tailor: When you are five feet tall and have a job that requires "big girl professional clothes," you have a tailor. This line, however, made me laugh: "a perfect, crisp fit can make a $100 bargain look like Armani." GIrl, I make $4 Goodwill pants look Good...
6. Home Library- Big. Fat. Check.
8. A Financial Plan: Keep Working. Husband keeps working. Grow more food. Check. (Okay, in reality, we should do this. But when you don't even have a real savings account and you are intending to quit your "career" and take a part time job, well, I don't want to face the shame of meeting a real financial advisor.)
9. Lifelong friends: Check, thank God, check.
10. Material self-confidence: "Not to be defined by your belongings." Wait... what was this whole list about then?? Oh well, check. :)