# What are 10 things a woman should know how to do, or know about, by the time she is 25? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2011, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482 "2011-12-08T06:40:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/41 "2011-12-08T18:17:28Z")
> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#): > > Both our cars are automatics. You posted this in response to “Jumpstart a car”. You may misunderstand what a jumpstart is…but it’s certianly something you might have to do to any car, regardless of transmission. Don’t confuse it with “push/roll/bump starting”, which is something you can do to a manual. ---
**Author:** ![aerodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/42 "2011-12-08T18:23:46Z")
Also, I’ll jump on the bandwagon with everyone who says that most of these things should be on everyone’s 25-year-old checklist, regardless of gender. I’m specifically thinking of “cook a meal.” There are a staggering, and depressing, number of people who are functionally incapable of doing something as essential for survival as preparing their own food. Of course women should be able to cook. But not because they’re women…because they’re human beings. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/43 "2011-12-08T18:35:40Z")
\*\*Know how to actually scrub your apartment. \*\* In college, you’re on your own for the first time plus you’re (probably) working your ass off. After college, you don’t know how to squirt a little toilet bowl cleaning and scrub it for 30 seconds before I come over and wipe your sink out? And vacuum if it’s been longer than two weeks? **Own at least one little black dress (LBD) and a pair of heels. Neither should come from Target** **Live within your means.** This one drives me batty. > [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Along those same lines, a woman who doesn’t want to get pregnant should know, by the age of 25, what days are absolutely no-nos for unprotected sex. Um, wouldn’t that be _absolutely every single day_? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/44 "2011-12-08T18:41:49Z")
Not to co-sign for anything with anyone except her legal husband. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/45 "2011-12-08T18:48:04Z")
Again, not gender specific, but I wish more 25 year old kids had a basic grasp of personal finances. I have a niece that is a really great kid, and pretty bright too, but not when it comes to managing her money. She’s already started making some really foolish decisions that are taking her down a road of debt she is not going to be able to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/46 "2011-12-08T18:51:44Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Again, not gender specific, but I wish more 25 year old kids had a basic grasp of personal finances. I have a niece that is a really great kid, and pretty bright too, but not when it comes to managing her money. She’s already started making some really foolish decisions that are taking her down a road of debt she is not going to be able to deal with. That’s a good one, too. Maybe more gender-specific would be that the ladies could learn that you don’t need a new wardrobe every season, and you really don’t need to pay full retail price for _anything_ (since retail stuff is marked up horrendously). ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/47 "2011-12-08T18:59:51Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Um, wouldn’t that be _absolutely every single day_? Not unless you think unprotected sex should be required for married people or anyone else in monogamous relationship. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/48 "2011-12-08T19:02:38Z")
This is not gender specific but these are all things I think someone should know how to do by age 25. -Sewing basics. Know how to sew on a button and repair a rip in a piece of clothing at the very least. Knowing how to hem a garment would be good also. -Cooking basics. Following a recipe, assembling a healthy meal, etc. -Cleaning basics. How to sweep, vacuum, scrub out a bathtub and toilet, wash dishes, do laundry, etc. -Finance basics. Balance a checkbook, pay bills, spend less than you earn, etc. -Finding information. You’ll never know how to do everything so you need to know how to find the information you need to do things you don’t know how to do. Libraries and the internet are super helpful but are not the only way to get information. For example, do you love your Grandma’s borscht and you know you’ll never be able to replicate it? Have her teach you how to make it now before she becomes ill, infirm, or passes away. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/49 "2011-12-08T19:06:53Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > That’s a good one, too. Maybe more gender-specific would be that the ladies could learn that you don’t need a new wardrobe every season, and you really don’t need to pay full retail price for _anything_ (since retail stuff is marked up horrendously). The only people I know who get a new wardrobe every season are men. Not sure why this gender specific. I think this is just an extension of living within your means (which would be my number one for this list) My number 2 would be to take any marketing or articles aimed at women with a giant grain of salt. You do not need to be super thin or have 40 pairs of shoes or buy the most expensive brand of tampons just because ‘they’ say so.\* \*Though this one would also be good for a ‘Things new parents should know’ list. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/50 "2011-12-08T19:08:43Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > The only people I know who get a new wardrobe every season are men. Not sure why this gender specific.\ You think men are buying new clothes? I thought it was the ladies. Anyway, no one needs a whole new wardrobe every season. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/51 "2011-12-08T19:12:22Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > The only people I know who get a new wardrobe every season are men. Not sure why this gender specific. I’m a man, and I don’t even buy new underwear, much less a new wardrobe. Crap, did I just overshare? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/52 "2011-12-08T19:25:42Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > **Own at least one little black dress (LBD) and a pair of heels. Neither should come from Target** I’ve seen stuff like this on lists like this before. It’s silly. I hate wearing black and I have no need or want for a “little black dress”. > [@](#): > > **Live within your means.** This one drives me batty. Except when it comes to buying your “LBD” and heels, if Target is what is in your means. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/53 "2011-12-08T19:49:08Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > I’ve seen stuff like this on lists like this before. It’s silly. I hate wearing black and I have no need or want for a “little black dress”. > \ > Except when it comes to buying your “LBD” and heels, if Target is what is in your means. Why did you come into this thread exactly? Do you have anything to contribute? I got a LBD at J Crew on sale for 10% more than retail at Target. So don’t bullshit me with “zomg CLASSIST”. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/54 "2011-12-08T19:53:31Z")
Remedy my masculine ignorance: What’s the difference between a little black dress from Target and a little black dress from somewhere else? ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/55 "2011-12-08T20:03:42Z")
Quality of the craftsmanship, cut, durability, just like any other clothing. Like you wouldn’t buy men’s dress shoes or a suit from Target. I have plenty of tshirts and cheapie sweaters from Target. Just not certain things. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/56 "2011-12-08T20:22:22Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Why did you come into this thread exactly? Do you have anything to contribute? Yes, my contribution is that these lists are stupid and should stay in Cosmo where they’re suited. > [@](#): > > I got a LBD at J Crew on sale for 10% more than retail at Target. So don’t bullshit me with “zomg CLASSIST”. I wasn’t saying it was classist, I was saying it was contradictory. And it is, even if you got a good deal at J Crew. Because maybe all someone else can afford is clearance at Target. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/57 "2011-12-08T20:25:21Z")
**linds** , J Crew is not the sort of place one goes for “quality craftsmanship”. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/58 "2011-12-08T20:44:59Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Quality of the craftsmanship, cut, durability, just like any other clothing. Like you wouldn’t buy men’s dress shoes or a suit from Target. I have plenty of tshirts and cheapie sweaters from Target. Just not certain things. Why does a woman \*\*\*need \*\*\*a little black dress in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/59 "2011-12-08T20:49:54Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > **linds** , J Crew is not the sort of place one goes for “quality craftsmanship”. _cries_ Why do you hate poor people so much? ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482/60 "2011-12-08T20:50:04Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > Why does a woman \*\*\*need \*\*\*a little black dress in the first place? I took it to be shorthand for a nondescript, dressy outfit one can use as a blank canvas for accessories if one has to dress up unexpectedly, just like a guy should have a suit he can wear to an unexpected funeral or something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-10-things-a-woman-should-know-how-to-do-or-know-about-by-the-time-she-is-25/605482.md?page=4)