WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

By Pamela Redmond Satran

"30 THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE AND SHOULD KNOW BY THE TIME SHE's 30"

By 30, you should have:

• 1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.
• 2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
• 3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
• 4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
• 5. A youth you're content to move beyond.
• 6. A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
• 7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
• 8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
• 9. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
• 10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
• 11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
• 12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
• 13. The belief that you deserve it.
• 14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after 30.
• 15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

• 16. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
• 17. How you feel about having kids.
• 18. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
• 19. When to try harder and when to walk away.
• 20. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen next.
• 21. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
• 22. How to live alone, even if you don't like to.
• 23. How to take control of your own birthday.
• 24. That you can't change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
• 25. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.
• 26. What you would and wouldn't do for money or love.
• 27. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
• 28. Who you can trust, who you can't and why you shouldn't take it personally.
• 29. Not to apologize for something that isn't your fault.
• 30. Why they say life begins at 30.