In a couple of months, I will have yet another birthday. I’m always so grateful for birthdays because what is the alternative, really? I remember how cool birthdays were as a kid- it seemed like there was always a new milestone right around the bend. While I may not be counting down the days until I can do this or that, I do have a small milestone birthday coming up as I’ll be turning a quarter of a century old.
{Which makes me feel way older than when I was just waiting to be able to stay at the movie theater without my parents past 9pm.}
I’m not anxious over my birthday, and I’m definitely not having a quarter-life crisis or anything, but the upcoming “milestone” is giving me a chance to stop & think about what I want to accomplish. I’ve started a bucket list of sorts, which I’m sure I’ll add to as time goes on. Here’s what has made the list so far:
Some of those items can’t be accomplished for some time- I have no intention of bringing a newborn on a safari or to pet a cheetah, and I’m at the mercy of the Spice Girls for when they decide to reunite again. I can’t become a teacher for a long time- well, I could, but it’s not my intention until my kids are both grown up {&I’m grateful every day that I have the option to wait}.
But some of those items I can totally start tackling soon! I can’t exactly ride a horse or go snorkeling while pregnant, but this time next year I could very well be doing exactly that. One thing that I plan on doing sooner rather than later is looking into life insurance for both myself & Justin.
We’re young, but we’re not immortal. While I like to imagine crossing every item off of that list, the reality is that I may never get to a single one of them. Tomorrow is never guaranteed & when you have a family who depends on you, it’s important to be sure that they are protected against the “What If’s”.
Because Justin’s work doesn’t offer life insurance, and I’m self-employed, we haven’t had the life insurance talk yet. But with one child already & another on the way, the time is now to discuss our options. It’s a hard conversation to have, but I found this great article {& video} about how to have the life insurance conversation with your partner. I even learned that life insurance is typically cheaper when you’re younger, which I know will make Justin happy to hear!
If you’re thinking about getting life insurance, Genworth Insurance has several tools available to help you with the process, including the Life Insurance Budget Calculator above. Once I have the talk with Justin I’m sure we’ll be using it as well.
What’s on your bucket list?
Note: This post was inspired by Genworth Financial & Brandfluential.
Let me be the first to tell you snow isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 😉
It’s always hard to have these kind of conversations because I think we all hate to admit that we’re immortal. I know for myself, I think I am going to be here forever, but the fact of the matter is that anything can happen at any time. Sigh.
Haha well that’s why I said spend Christmas there- not move there! I lived in Chicago as a kid, I remember falling into a big hole of snow every time I took a step!
I love what you have on your bucket list, lots of great stuff! Life insurance is definitely on mine too.
It’s definitely super important! What else is on your list?
Definitely time to talk about your options!!
I can’t believe you want to CLIFF JUMP! I mean, it would be gorgeous in Hawaii, but CLIFF JUMPING! I couldn’t do it!
I’m terrified at the thought but I know I’d regret not doing it! Of course, I’d only do it somewhere I knew was safe {and, ya know, AFTER getting life insurance!}
I love that you guys are having this conversation now, when you’re young, BEFORE it gets to the point where it’s going to be really expensive to start a life insurance policy, and more than ever because you have little ones that depend on you for all those things.
Oh and I’m with Robin on the snow thing – while I will never live somewhere without it, it does lose it’s shine when you’re out there trying to clear 3 feet of the stuff from your driveway!
PS… seeing the Northern Lights is on my bucket list too!
Yeah for some reason I always thought it’d be more expensive the younger you are- not sure what put that idea into my head. We’ll be looking into our options!
I love your bucket list. The biggest item I want to cross off of my own list is a trip to Italy!
Oh yes! I need to add that to mine. I’m Italian so Justin always jokes that my blood is really marinara- Italy is definitely a must-see.
It’s funny, my husband and I were just talking about making a travel bucket list this past week. It seems like we’ve got this long list of things we want to do but they’re always overshadowed by the the things we have to do.
I’d be too sad to do a strictly travel one right now since it’ll be QUITE some time before we’re able to make it anywhere beyond driving distance!
Taking the girls to WDW is on my list as well. Can’t wait for that dream to come true!
Some of those items are on my bucket list too, like spending Christmas somewhere with snow! I am the only income in my home, so I really need to start thinking about life insurance, but being self employed it seems so much harder.
Definitely! My dad gets his through work for almost nothing. I’m jealous!
I need to sit down and create a bucket list of my own. Petting a cheetah sounds interesting!
The Spice Girls reunion cracked me up!
I think before you do some of those things, you NEED life insurance. Especially for the petting a Cheetah part…
Bahaha, touche.
If you hurt yourself or others when golfing and want to pet a cheetah, you need to make sure you have life insurance on you and those around you TODAY!!!!
You have a very good point!
The best time to apply for coverage is when you are young. Good for you! And will you take me to see the Northern Lights with you? 😉
Let’s go!! 🙂
I would like to become a teacher as well, but not sure I want o go back to school.
Yeah that’s the kicker. I only have about a year left though, so not too bad.
I have sort of an ongoing list of things I would like to try at some point in my life. One thing I’m considering right now is working towards my PhD. I already have the MS but the PhD would take four years, maybe less.
That would be so awesome! It’s one of those things that I’m sure is crazy, crazy hard at the time but so worth it in the long run, even just to be able to say “I did it!”
I hope my husband and I can do a lot of traveling once our son is an adult and on his own. Until then, I just keep dreaming. 🙂 And I really need life insurance.
Yeah, most of my travel dreams are definitely on hold for a good 20 years. Some are family-friendly but most are Hubby & me only trips!
I’d LOVE to see the Northern Lights. I would also love to go to Disney World with the family or go on a cruise. 🙂
Wgat a great bucket list! I especially like that there are things that you could complete right now, as well as goals for the future.
I think I would pass on the cliff diving but love to go to Hawaii LOL , cruises are awesome as is Disney World, and life insurance is very important.
Besides a few distinct travel places (Hawaii, Australia and England), and maybe ride in a hot air balloon, I can honestly say I’ve pretty much done everything that has been on my “bucket list”. I’ve been very blessed.
That’s awesome! I hope to be able to say the same one day!
Spice girls? I am so LOL. I am not sure that one will ever be a reality.
trisha