25 Essential Life Goals for Millennials Before 30

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We are still a few years out of hitting the age of “dirty thirty”. If you are still in your 20s attending college or bouncing around to different jobs trying to find your career job, this article is for you!

This is our list of must-have millennial goals.

Your 20s are a very important decade of your life where you have a good balance between freedom and responsibilities. It’s a great age for getting things done before life holds you down.

1) Make a budget

Asking your parents for gas money is in your rearview mirror, you’ll be ready to take care of your own finances in no time.!

It’s time to understand how important money is, and how to treat it as such.

Any successful business has a budget so why shouldn’t you? It’s time to learn how to budget!

A budget is a great way to track how much you spend and help you get a much better grasp on what you can and can’t afford. A budget will also help you not miss any payments on credit cards, student loans, or bill or risk your financial future.

If your tech-savvy and want to budget online use a company like Personal Capital or Mint.

2) Demolish your debt

If you went to school you probably have a significant amount of debt.

Your 20s are when you need to focus on demolishing debt! Aggressively attack your debt, make it your bi*ch. You want to clear your debt as soon as possible and start living debt-free.

Living debt-free opens the gates to living financially free. If you are interested in learning more about refinancing your student loans we highly recommend SoFi as your go-to refinance company.

3) Start a side hustle

Hopefully, in your 20s you have heard what a side hustle is.

Now is the time to try new business ventures. Start a blog, e-commerce business, clean houses, freelance, flip products on eBay and Amazon, or provide a service.

A side hustle is a great way to get compensated for doing things you already love to do. Financial freedom and wealth are made much easier by multiple sources of income.

In today’s digital society there are literally endless ways to make money right from home you have no excuse not to. You can even make money with the hobbies you are already doing. 

Check out my video below with our favorite ways to make money online. 

4) Travel with friends

You will never have as much freedom as you do in your 20s.

Take advantage of any opportunity you have to travel and experience life. Go to new places, try new foods, and widen your horizons. Plan a “friend-cation” because, in reality, this is the only time in your life you can make it a reality.

Using sites like Travel Advisor or Booking is a great way to save money and get the best experience possible.

5) Save Lot’s of Money

Most millennials overlook this goal before they turn thirty. It’s a real shame because in your 20s you are probably able to save the most!

Start saving for your next big purchase. Too many millennials are purchasing things with credit and taking out loans on things they can’t afford in the first place.

Besides a house, if you cannot afford to pay cash you don’t deserve to own it. After destroying your debt saving is the next step.

Here is a mega list of over 100 ways to save money. You can also use programs like Ebates or Ibotta to save on your everyday purchases.

6) Learn to cook

If your parents did not teach you to cook while growing up now is your chance. Learn how to make a few dishes off a site like YouTube.

Learning to cook is also a great way to stay healthy, save money, and impress others.

If you are struggling with meal prepping or knowing what to buy a company like $5 meal plan is worth checking out.

7) Take care of your physical self

You better get your health in check before you turn thirty! The older you get the slower your metabolism gets.

Your 20s are a perfect time in your life to get into good habits for a healthy life. Habits take a while to form so starting early is a savvy move.

Working out does not have to be a chore, make it fun! Some things we do to change it up: Tennis, biking, hiking, running, basketball, playing catch, walking the dog, skiing, swimming, and more.

There are actually a bunch of ways you can get paid to simply walk. 

8) Don’t buy new cars

One of the worst financial moves you can make when you are young is buying a new car. 

Cars dealerships are like sharks and want to take full advantage of you and don’t care about your financial situation. 

The depression alone in the first 2-3 years of ownership should make you second guess your decision and change your mind about buying used cars. 

We have always bought our cars used with cash and plan on never having a car payment. 

Buy simply doing your due diligence ahead of time and having a mechanic look over your car before you purchase you can save thousands upon thousands of dollars. 

9) Get a credit card

Building your credit score should not be overlooked. My parents were actually kind enough to get me a credit card in high school. Not only did I learn how to be responsible with my finances but also started building credit at a young age.

My credit score currently hovers around 800 which is in the “excellent” category. Having a solid credit score can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

If you want a free app to help you start tracking your credit score try out Credit Karma, it has helped us a ton over the years.

You can always check out these best credit cards for millennials also to get pointed in the right direction. 

P.S. – NEVER ever carry credit card debt, it’s the worst debt you can have! 

10) Find a significant other

“Playing the field” while you are in your 20s is important. You need to know what type of person you are looking for so when they do come around your ready.

Having a real relationship is very important in personal development. You learn a ton about yourself and how to get along with others.

Also having a serious relationship oftentimes leads to marriage which is a huge blessing! Take some time to figure yourself out and start thinking about REAL relationships, not those one-night stands.

11) Finish school

Education is something no one can ever take away from you, so make sure you FINISH.

College is expensive, decide if it’s worth the investment before attending. Whether it is a trade school, community college, or university it’s important to get it out of the way early on in life. It will significantly improve your earning potential and set up the rest of your life.

If you have not started school yet no worries, it’s never too late to go back!

12) Make an emergency fund

We totally agree with Dave Ramsey on his first baby step. Everyone MUST save an emergency fund to ensure you can handle anything life throws at you.

Stop spending money like it grows off trees and start saving for your financial future.

Normally emergency funds are $1,000 but having more than that to handle life’s financial emergencies is never a bad idea.

13) Learn to say “no”

It’s important in your 20s to learn how to set and maintain boundaries for yourself.

You have to be true to yourself and not let others push you around in any direction. Know what’s best for you and keep that your number one priority.

In your 20s you have lot’s of opportunities, by the time you’re a thirty your life is more set in stone.

14) Live within your means

Please make this one of your top millennial goals, learn how to live within your means!

Don’t fall into the typical millennial money traps like so many others. If you already have debt why are you continuing to finance your life away? Stop trying to keep up with your friends let them pass you by.

Learning how to be happy with what you already have can change your life and your bank accounts.

Here are 15 frugal living habits that will help you live the life you want without ruining your financial future.

15) Build and grow your value system

Having a good moral value system is very important in living a good life. If you don’t believe in God or have not been to church in a few years, give it another try!

Throughout college Brittany and I rarely went to church. We felt we did not belong and could never find one we enjoyed.

It wasn’t until I fell into a deep depression that I realized how important God is in our life. From that point on God has filled my life with so much love and joy.

My faith has never been stronger and I am living a purposeful and meaningful life.

16) Go to the doctor

Seriously, stop putting it off and start going to your doctor’s again.

There is a reason preventive care is covered so well under insurance plans now. With your health, it’s always better to be proactive.

An annual checkup and keep you and your doctor in the loop on your health. Get your teeth cleaned, your dental hygiene is very important to your overall health.

17) Find your real friends

How many “friends” do you have that will bail you out in any situation you in? Pick you up after drinking too much at a party? Can be totally open and honest about anything?

Finding real friends can be a challenge, but once you find them life improves drastically. Learn who your real friends are and focus on those relationships.

When you get older you will soon realize you really only need a few close friends.

18) Figure out what makes you happy

Happiness is found within yourself. It’s something that is figured out over time. Your 20s are a perfect time to experience new things, travel, eat, party, etc.

Figure out the most important things that make you happy and surround yourself with them. Learn early on a good balance in life with work and play.

19) Make mistakes

Now is the time, we are still young. We have made many mistakes in our lives and learned from each one of them.

Never look at a mistake as a failure unless you don’t learn from it. Our greatest accomplishments will come from making mistakes so put yourself out there!

Life is an adventure! Failures are the best lessons you can learn in life.

20) Read more

We have recently found ourselves reading much more than we use to. You can learn so much from just picking up a book or reading your favorite articles online.

It’s extremely relaxing and helps you fall asleep. Try to get into a good habit of reading a book before bed. Knowledge is power so read away!

21) Document your life

We have been lucky enough to travel quite a bit before we turn thirty. Start documenting your life or even start a YouTube Channel.

Take pictures and videos when you go to a new place. Your memory fades over time so document your life more so you can reminisce on the good times.

Learn how to edit simple video clips into a full vacation documentary. We LOVE looking back on our travels!

22) Create your own Millennial Goals list

What do you want to do with your life? What is your calling? How are you going to positively impact the world? Start dreaming big and writing down your goals.

Every New Yearscheck in with yourself and the goals you set the previous years.

23) Get a dog

Dogs are scientifically proven to increase your happiness and overall well-being. This would apply to all pets, but we are dog lovers through and through.

Our dog, Charlie, has been in our lives for almost 13 years now. Dogs are a great way to learn how to be responsible and take care of others, helping you in all types of relationships.

If your feeling down your dog will always be there with unconditional love. Research different dog breeds before just jumping into buying a dog.

24) Join a church

We struggled after moving out of our parent’s house and going to college to get back into going to church regularly.

Joining a church is a great way to meet new people, volunteer, and give you a purpose in life.

Living your life for God works does not get any better, make this a millennial goal for yourself.

25) Move out and live on your own

Let’s be honest if you’re still living at home when you turn thirty it’s a problem. Your 20s are a great time to venture out on your own.

After college moving back home with your parents might be a very savvy decision to get your finances in order.

Eventually, when you get your feet on the ground it’s time to move out and live on your own. It’s a wonderful transition with a lot of freedom!