Trisha Bartle, Author at Pucker Mob

15 Timeless '80s Movies That Are Still Great Today

We all get a little nostalgic when it comes to the ‘80s. The decade of crimped hair, leg warmers and neon leotards also happened to produce some memorable and amazing movies.

But some ‘80s movies didn’t age very well. Watching those movies can be a real downer. If you’re hosting an ‘80s movie marathon and want to avoid the duds, then check out this list of timeless ‘80s movies that have aged gracefully.

1. The Goonies (1985)

Most movies with a kid-filled cast don’t age well (we’re looking at you, The Wizard). Kids aren’t always the best actors. But with Goonies? Yeah, that’s casting gold. Watching this now still makes us want to go on a pirate-ship-finding adventure in the underground caverns of the the Oregon Coast. Why isn’t this real life?!

2. Back to the Future (1985)

Heck, this goes for the entire Back to the Future trilogy, even if we don’t have all of the advancements found in the future of the second one. Michael J. Fox is the man when it comes to relatability and comedic timing. Watch this one when you want some time-traveling fun that doesn’t hurt your head in the process.

3. The Lost Boys (1987)

The mullets are strong with this one. Although the fashion is so ‘80s it hurts, this vampire movie is tops. Watch it for the still-innocent Coreys or if you feel like you need a story where the vampires are bad, and not sexual fantasies. Bonus points for the hilarious saxophone scene. You’ll thank me later.

4. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

This one may not be as famous as the other entries on this list, but it’s still a must-see. In it, Kathleen Turner attends her high school reunion, but collapses. When she wakes up, she’s back in high school, ‘50s poodle skirts and all. It has everything: time travel, beatnik romance and a surprisingly high-voiced Nic Cage.

5. Die Hard (1988)

Whether or not you’re in the “Die Hard is a Christmas movie” camp, we can all agree that this ‘80s action movie is still one of the best in its genre to date. You get to see a retro glimpse of Bruce Willis’ actual hair as he climbs through the air ducts of a downtown high-rise. Also, the main villain is played by Alan Rickman—Professor Snape himself! In fact, it was his very first feature film.

6. The Breakfast Club (1985)

Most teen movies in the ‘80s were ridiculous and unrealistic. They featured gratuitous boob shots and okay-if-you’re-a-kid potty humor. But The Breakfast Club was different. It moved to break high school stereotypes and even had some rough, dramatic moments. If you always wanted to have a life-defining moment during Saturday detention, watch this one.

7. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

In the ‘80s, everyone wanted to be one of three people: Ferris Bueller, his best friend Cameron, or his girlfriend Sloane. After all, if you’re a part of that trio, you can have one of the most epic days of your life. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of those movies that motivates you to just get out there and have fun. No fear!

8. Ghostbusters (1984)

Nothing beats the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man stomping down city streets. This comedy has all of the best things, including ghosts, scary librarians and Bill Murray. Also, if you’ve ever wondered why people think Sigourney Weaver is sexy, this’ll answer your question. And, if you want to prepare for the 2016 all-female remake, this movie is a must.

9. The Princess Bride (1987)

It’s a rarity that guys love a romantic movie just as much as girls, yet that’s the case when it comes to The Princess Bride. In fact, guys seem to be the adventure romance’s biggest fans. This movie has to be one of the most quoted films of all time. And there’s always Carey Elwes if you’re looking for a hot dude. As you wish.

10. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Here’s a little trivia for you: A Nightmare on Elm Street was Johnny Depp’s very first movie. The first of the series is a bit scarier and much less silly than the numerous sequels, making it easier to watch over three decades later. Even if you’re not much into horror movies, you could always watch it for Depp’s super-’80s midriff-baring cutoff sweatshirt.

11. Sixteen Candles (1984)

Though it doesn’t have the drama and seriousness of The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles still doesn’t disappoint. Watch it for Long Duk Dong or a nearly mute, baby-faced John Cusack. Even now, all of us are waiting patiently for our own Jake Ryan to kiss us over our birthday cakes.

12. Beetlejuice (1988)

Look at how skinny and hot Alec Baldwin was in the ‘80s! And how much of a little kid Winona Ryder used to be! Beetlejuice is a must if you like supernatural comedies. Watch it with Ghostbusters and you’ve got a tubular ‘80s movie night.

13. Gremlins (1984)

You can’t get much cuter than the fuzzy little ball we all lovingly know as Gizmo. Just don’t get him wet or feed him after midnight! Plus, if you think Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then you’ve gotta put Gremlins on that list as well.

14. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Even though it came out over 25 years ago, Christmas Vacation is still one of the best Christmas movies of all time. The squirrel chase, the Christmas lights, the cat food Jell-o mold—it’s all timeless. And if you’re a Big Bang Theory fan, you can see Dr. Leonard Hofstadter as little Rusty Griswold.

15. Poltergeist (1982)

More movie trivia! At the time that Poltergeist came out, there was no PG-13 rating. So how did they rate this classic haunted house story? PG! That’s right, you can supposedly let your little ones watch this timeless nightmare. You’re welcome.

33 Fun and Unique First Date Ideas

When you’re planning a first date, it’s easy to go the cliche route. But what if you want to do something more to impress your date than the classic dinner-and-a-movie?

Sure, there is a benefit to the tried-and-true methods for a classic first date. But what if you want to keep the date fun, low-key, creative, daring your low-budget? In that case, you’re looking for some unique first date ideas—and we’ve got you covered!

Read on for our list of 33 first date ideas that you’ll love.

Show off your skills at trivia night at the local bar or restaurant.
Walk dogs at a no-kill animal shelter. They need the lovin’!
Take a one-off cooking class. Cooking food together is always romantic.
Float down a river, whether in a canoe, raft or inner tubes.
Visit an arcade and see who can win at air hockey.
Touch and play with everything at a science museum.
Dance together at an outdoor music festival.
Answer Chat Pack questions on a bench in the park. ###
Fly a kite together on a super windy day.
Spend the afternoon in a candy store, amassing a tasty haul, then munch your score on the beach.
Tour your town’s most haunted location—get close if you get scared.
Go on a quest for your favorite childhood snacks.
Climb the monkey bars at a nearby playground.
Go sledding at the height of winter. Finish off the date with some comforting hot cocoa.
Attend a play—way better than a movie!
Go to a coffee shop and play a board game together while sipping your favorite brew.
Play a game of one-on-one basketball.
Create your own drive-in with a projector shining at a plain white garage door.
Sit around a campfire, roast marshmallows and tell scary stories.
Go to open mic night at a local club and dare each other to get up on stage.
Play hide and go seek at an Ikea. Just make sure you don’t scare the other shoppers!
Go apple-picking.
Pick out your own pumpkins at a pumpkin patch and have a contest for the better Jack ‘O Lantern.
Go for a walk around the park and sit at every bench you see.
Get your palms read or a joint tarot-reading. Do your futures align?
Go to a gift shop and buy each other a surprise gift for $5 each.
Watch the sunset from a mountain trail.
Tour an art museum and pick out your favorite and least favorite works of art.
For all you photography-lovers, go on a photo walk and take great pictures of the downtown landscape.
Pretend you’re new in town and ask a gas station attendant where you two should do. Go wherever they suggest!
Buy a toy and give it to the first kid you see, then walk away as if nothing happened.
Feed the homeless at a soup kitchen.
Play Frisbee on the beach.

13 Reasons Why You Should Still Be Going to the Library

Though you may have found yourself relying much more on the Internet and tablets for reading books and gathering information, there is still one building that should always be on your list of places to go: The Library!

Despite the rise in Internet usage and ebook publishing, public libraries aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’ve seen a 32.7% increase in physical visits from 2001 to 2010. If you want to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to these magical realms, then read on.

The feel of a physical book is lovely. Ebooks certainly take up (way) less space, but they don’t have one thing that physical books have: the feeling of turning the page. You also get that unique book smell that so many people find intoxicating. Admit it: You love it.
You can read books for free. Although this has always been an obvious draw for libraries, it bears repeating: you can read books for free. Yep, just pick up a book, check it out, and bring it home for weeks of entertainment.
You can borrow other stuff besides books. DVDs, Blu-rays, audio books—you can borrow these things, too. Sure, Redbox lets you rent a DVD for only a couple of bucks, but free is always better, right?
There are lending options for ebook-lovers. Public libraries are well aware that people love ebooks. Rather than staying in the past, many libraries are getting with the times and offering an ebook borrowing service—for free. Check out your local library’s website or talk to a librarian to see what they offer.
Free classes are where it’s at. Want to learn how to use that fancy new software? Take a yoga class? Maybe you want to learn how to paint. Good news: Public libraries have a wide variety of classes for free.
You can always use the computers for free. When the Internet is down at your place, you can bring your laptop to the library for some free wifi without being guilted into buying a cup of coffee. And, if you only have a desktop computer, you can use the PC stations free of charge.
They specialize in local history. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of your town, this is the place to go. Libraries collect everything they can from their town, including maps, genealogy of local families and books written by local authors, among other things. Likewise, if you’re into history and are always looking to learn more about the past, then you’ll probably enjoy some of the best history books around.
You can meet new people—in person! Public libraries are just one more way to meet people in person. If you love books, then this is the place to find other book lovers. Heck, you might even come away with a date as well as a stack of books.
It’s your one-stop shop for government paperwork. Need income tax forms? Or register to vote? You can always get this stuff at the library.
You can pick the brains of librarians. Sometimes you’re looking for something, but you just don’t know how to find it. Maybe it’s a book about a type of diet, but you don’t know the name. Or you read a great book years back, but don’t remember who the author was. Visit the reference desk—they’ll help!
Libraries are growing with the times. Although they still have stacks and stacks of great books, libraries aren’t the soon-to-be-extinct dinosaurs that nay-sayers would lead you to believe. In addition to the aforementioned ebook lending library, these meccas of culture have other new-fangled ideas. My local library even has a 3D printer that anyone can use for free.
Material in the library is much more trust-worthy. Sure, you can find a lot of information online, but can you trust it? In a lot of cases, online information isn’t well-researched or it’s based off of fake data. If you want a better chance of finding something real, go to the library.
Nothing replaces aimless browsing among the stacks. Let’s say you’re looking for a new book to read. Sure, you could click around Amazon and find something, but it doesn’t feel the same as walking amidst the stacks, looking for the spine of a book that calls out to you. Sorry, Internet…libraries and bookstores win out on this one.

10 Things Growing Up Poor Will Teach You

When you grow up poor, you often look at wealthy families with a bit of envy. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could be given everything, just like they do? Guess what, your early-life struggles might just pay off.

If you were one of 16 million American kids growing up in poverty, it has definitely had an impact on your life. Although there are certainly downsides to growing up poor (ramen, anyone?), it’s not all bad! As an adult, you’re going to see some real benefits.

You know how to stretch your food budget. Speaking of ramen, when you grow up poor, you learn how to get a large amount of food for not as much money. That sometimes means resorting to fast food, but you also learn how to utilize coupons or which grocery stores have the best deals on produce and meat.
You know the value of charity. It may surprise you, but poor people give more of their income to charity than any other economic group. After all, when you’re down-and-out, you know the value of charity more than anyone else. This charitable attitude can come with you into adulthood, even when you find yourself out of the poor zone.
You ponder big purchases more. Those who grow up rich might not even think twice about plonking down $299 for the new iPhone. But those who grew up poor might think twice. Why spend that kind of money if your older iPhone still does the trick?
You fear debt. Even if you’re making great money now that you’re an adult, that fear of debt can still follow you after a childhood of dodging calls from bill collectors. On the brightside, that fear can always help prevent you from digging yourself into a financial hole.
You don’t need a ton of money to have fun. When you were a kid, you still had a great time. Your parents found creative ways to entertain you. That skill can work even as an adult. Those who grew up poor can be satisfied with a day at the park and likely have a mental list of all the free events in town.
You’re happy with what you have. Using material things as a way of displaying status just doesn’t sound right to you, does it?
You cherish things other than money. Growing up poor, you learn to value family. After all, you don’t have that new Maserati to fill any of the holes in your life.
You measure your happiness in meaningful ways. Some people who were born rich measure their happiness by their bank account. But if you grew up poor, the bank account is a minefield best to be avoided. Instead, you measure your happiness by the quality of your friendships, your health, fun life events and other meaningful variables.
You value hard work. Nothing was given to you on a silver platter. You had to work hard to get what you want.
You’re grateful once you work your way out of being “poor.” You had to work hard to get to where you are now as an adult. You weren’t given a free college education—you had to work for it. You may have taken out loans, such as title loans, to make ends meet. Same goes for your nice apartment. It all took hard work and perseverance—something that those who grow up rich don’t always understand.

Makeup Isn't 'False Advertising,' It's an Extension of Who We Are

Sorry, but whoever decided that wearing makeup = false advertising needs to be punched in the throat.

False advertising is showing a product as being something it's not. So you’re telling me that my perfectly winged eyeliner is ‘advertising’ me to be something I’m not?

And you think that my perfectly highlighted cheekbones aren’t actually true to me, they’re not me at all, it’s all just fake? News flash people: I’m still me. Those cheek bones are mine. They’re just lookin’ a little more on fleek than usual.

Technically, sure, if we were selling ourselves, you’re right it would be ‘false advertising’ but last I checked, I wasn’t for sale.

We’re not just products you can swing by the store and buy. We’re human beings who want to look like the best possible version of ourselves.

Some of us have acne, some of us stay up working so late that we have bags under our eyes. And you’re telling me that if we cover that up its false advertising and we deserve to be criticized for it?

That’s funny because if that’s the case, I’d like to call out any guy who’s ever grown his beard out to hide his double chin. Or who wore a hat to hide the fact that his hairline is receding. Or who wears copious amounts of cologne to hide his overwhelming BO.

And please don’t tell me that you think girls wear make up for guy’s approval because that couldn’t be farther away from the truth.

We wear makeup because it makes us feel confident, we can take on the world with just the right mascara and colored lip.

It’s an extension of who we are, not a mask.

We can walk into a meeting and slay knowing we look good.

We wear make up for no one but ourselves. If guys could have it their way, girls would probably never wear makeup.

There was even a survey in 2014 that found that three-quarters of guys prefer a natural look on girls.

So if we just wanted to win over a guy’s approval, don’t you think we’d go with the au naturale look?

Exactly, so stop thinking our smokey eye is for anyone other than ourselves.

Every single human being, guys and girls, do things to improve the way they look to the outside world. We pick clothes that are flattering to our figures and choose haircuts that are fitting to our personalities.

Instead of getting on anyone’s case for how they choose to present themselves to the world, whether through makeup or whatever else, we should accept the differences.

Sure, you may not prefer girls who wear makeup or guys who wear baseball caps, but that doesn’t mean those people should change.

Rather than disparaging others, let’s make a pledge to be nicer to each other, no matter our preferences.

11 Thoughts Every Curly-Haired Girl Has Had

Curly hair is a blessing and a curse. While we have a unique hairstyle ready and waiting—one coveted by many straight-haired girls—our curls can still make us want to tug it all out and start from scratch.

If you’re a curly-haired girl, you’ve probably had some—if not all—of these thoughts before. And if you’re sporting straight hair, perhaps this list will help you understand your curly friends a little better.

1. “It’s humid outside today? Better stay indoors.”

While the straight-haired girls are enjoying the nice summer weather, we’re stuck inside trying to clamp down a mop of hair that’s now at least twice the size that it usually is. Binders, bobby pins and hair products are our friends on these days.

2. “No, you can’t touch it.”

The bouncier the hair, the more people want to touch it. Have ringlets? Good luck getting that creepy stranger to stop pulling it.

3. “I hope, hope, hope, you actually know how to cut and style curly hair.”

Finding a hair stylist with knowledge in curly hair is like finding a Starbucks that isn’t filled with first-time novelists. And, even if you ask the salon for someone with curly hair experience, you’re still rolling the dice. If they break out the blow dryer to straighten your hair for the final styling, you know you’ve found a dud.

4. “What a cute hairstyle! Too bad I could never have it…”

Those hairstyle magazines are our nemesis. Good luck finding a cute hairstyle in those pages that works with curly hair. It’s a straight-haired girl’s world. The grass is always greener on the other side, as they say. Speaking of which…

5. “You want curly hair? You’re crazy.”

Despite our insistence that curly hair is often a nightmare, all our straight-haired friends wish they could have it. The plus side? We never have any perm-related horror stories.

6. “Shoot, I woke up late and can’t take a shower. No one look at my hair!”

You know those people who can roll out of bed, rake their hands through their mane and go out the door looking like they walked straight off the runway? Yeah, they’re not us. With curly hair, it’s damn near unheardof to look great in the morning without significant coaxing. Heck, that’s why people had to invent something as weird and annoying as the pineappling technique.

7. “Oh, you say you tame frizzy hair? Yeah right.”

So many hair products out there say they tame frizzy hair. Those beauty companies are banking on us curly-haired girls. But do they actually tame frizz? Almost never.

8. “Fancy date tonight? Alright, I’ll be ready in 15 minutes.”

As long as our hair is already done, we can make it look fancy pretty easy. Straight-haired girls would kill to have tumbling ringlets cascaded from a bun—yet we can do it with just a few well-placed bobby pins. Curly hair isn’t all bad!

9. “OMG, my arms hurt. Note to self: Never straighten your hair again.”

Straightening our hair is an expedition, which is probably why we only do it about once a year. After holding up a blow dryer, round brush and straightener for hours, our arms are dead for the rest of the day.

10. “I wish I could have HER curls.”

Yes, there’s some curl-envy, even when you already have naturally curly hair. If you have loose curls, you drool over the tight curls of your afro-rocking friend. If you have tight curls, you wish for curls that go down, rather than up and out.

11. “I just vacuumed yesterday! How the heck did all my hair get over the whole house so fast?”

Do straight-haired girls shed as much as we do? Especially in the winter, we’re dropping curls all over the house like crazy. It’s surprising that we have any hair left on our heads at all.

40 Instagram Pictures to Take That AREN'T Selfies

We get it—you love your face! But perhaps you’re getting a little tired of taking Instagram selfies in the Target bathroom or showing off your basic outfit on your way to class.

If you don’t want to be lumped into the rest of the selfie-loving Instagram photogs, no worries. Here are some Instagram picture ideas that skip the selfies.

Your pet with it’s cutest face. Think Puss in Boots from Shrek.
Your pet at its most ridiculous. Time to shame the heck out of that puppy!
Whatever made you happy that day, à la #100HappyDays.
Your favorite thing at work. Espresso machine, anyone?
Your least favorite thing at work. You want to murder that printer, don’t you?
The sign of the bar you’re in. Use it as a beacon so all your friends know where the party’s at.
Your finished manuscript. After all, that novel didn’t write itself.
The super small crowd at your poetry reading. Time to guilt trip your friends into coming to the next one.
Your embarrassing moment. It should make you feel better.
A week of #nofilter. Who needs lo-fi anyway, right?
Whatever is making you frustrated. Pictures of textbooks and dirty dishes are totally acceptable.
Your toes in the sand.
Your new project. If everyone knows you started knitting, you can damn well bet they’ll pester you to finish.
Your medals and trophies. Who says you can’t boast a little? It’s what Instagram is for, right?
Your birthday cake, candles and all.
Celebrity spottings. Better yet, try to get a picture with that celebrity. Just don’t bug him while he’s out to dinner!
Reflections in a puddle. You’re trying to be artsy, right? Mission accomplished.
The footies of your onesie. You splurged for a onesie with footies, right?
A decision-maker picture. If you can’t decide between two things (shoes, purses, cell phones), snap both and let your followers decide.
Your favorite charity. Instagram can be used for good, too.
Seasonal favorites by following an Instagram photo challenge.
Something you created with your own bare hands, even if it’s just a doodle of a cat wearing a top hat.
Your best friends. They deserve some face-time, too.
Wrapped presents during the holidays. Ask your friends, family and followers to try to guess what’s inside.
A series of your favorite color in action. Take a picture of every pink thing that catches your eye.
The person you most admire. (Remember, this isn’t supposed to be a selfie, guys, even if you admire the shit out of yourselves.)
Your footprints in the snow.
Each book as you finish reading it. Done with a book? Snap a shot. It might even get you to read more!
The sunset. Why not?
The sunrise. If you’re awake for it, that’s reason enough to celebrate.
Your childhood bedroom, in all its embarrassing glory. Don’t crop out the JTT poster!
A fingerpainting before it dries. You’re never too old to get your hands dirty.
The first wild animal you see when you step out the door. Odds are, it’s probably a bird.
The hot, wavy air rising from a barbecue. Ahh, grilling season.
The kinds of lunches you ate as a kid. Go ahead and eat a Lunchable and Fruit Roll-Up as an adult. Does it have the same allure?
Your friend’s new band. Maybe they’ll make it big and they can thank your efforts on their Wikipedia page.
The scale when you hit your goal weight. Reaching goals for the win!
Your favorite motivational quote. You get extra hipster points if you put it over a picture of the beach.
An abstract picture of a tree. Lay down right next to the trunk and point your phone’s camera straight up.
Your winning score, whether it’s a perfect game at the bowling alley or a tight and stressful game of Scrabble. Take a picture of the score and boast the hell out of it.

30 Things They Never Told You About Your Thirties

The days are ticking by and you’re getting ever closer to that scary, impossible number…30!

If you’re picturing your 30-year-old self shuffling along the sidewalk with a jaunty cane or having to battle a mass of wrinkles, I have some news for you: Your thirties aren’t what you think.

You don’t feel old. In fact, you feel just like you did when you were in your twenties—but maybe with a few extra wrinkles and gray hairs.
Your taste in men or women age with you. When you’re 35, you’ll suddenly find other people in their thirties more attractive. They’ll no longer seem “too old.???
People respect you more. The older you get, the more respect you get by default. Time to ask for that raise, because you’re more likely to get it.
You don’t mind the responsibilities. It makes you feel important!
Sometimes you’ll get tired of being an adult. Responsibilities are nice most of the time, but sometimes you just want to sit around in your pajamas and play video games. That never gets old.
You welcome a quieter life. Netflix or a raging party? Yeah, you’ll pick the Netflix.
You’ll get a lot more confident. You’ll start to accept all the little quirks that make you unique.
You’ll become more comfortable in your body. You’ve been in your skin for over 30 years now. All the insecurities you might have had in your 20s will start to fall away. Everyone is different, after all.
Sex will get better. You’re more experienced now and you’re a lot more comfortable in your body. Researchers even found that women’s orgasms get more intense in their 30s. Score!
You’ll have to start dealing with scary life issues. Whether it happens to you or to your friends, you’ll have to start dealing with the aftermath of divorce, death and disappointment—all the negatives that come with getting older.
An unhealthy lifestyle will affect you a lot more. Eating crappy junk food and never working out seemed fine when you were 22. Now you’ll just feel like crap and gain weight you never would have before.
And you definitely won’t be able to drink alcohol like you did before. One or two drinks and you’re done.
People will still have opinions about your life choices. That doesn’t end at 30. Except now instead of parents questioning your choice of major, you have to hear about how you’re too old to be single or how your biological clock is ticking. Ugh.
Big, responsible purchases will get you excited. A house! That’s way better than everything you bought in your 20s combined.
You have a midlife crisis to look forward to. Around 35, you get a great excuse to make rash decisions and purchase that sports car you would have never had the guts to buy. “Oh, she’s just going through a midlife crisis.”
You start to worry about all the things you’re not achieving. The 30s seem to be the time where you put pressure on yourself to achieve. Don’t have that family yet? Don’t have the corner office? These all seem so important now.
You’re never too old. 30 seemed like the end of the world when you were younger, but guess what? When you’re in your 30s, you aren’t too old to make new friends, start a new job or learn how to dance.
You can always go back to school. College isn’t just for 20-somethings. You can start a new career path—college courses and all—at any age.
You aren’t afraid to be different. You might have been afraid to admit your addiction to My Little Pony when you were 25, but now, you don’t care who knows!
You have better perspective of what you want in life. With three decades under your belt, you’ll know a lot better of what you want out of life.
Your skin starts to change. It can get thinner as you age, and you’ll notice that in your 30s. Some even have a bout of acne in their 30s. Don’t forget lots of moisturizer and sun screen!
You won’t be able to stay up all night like you used to. It was so easy to stay up until sunrise when you were younger. Now, you’re lucky if you’re out and about past midnight.
You’re starting to live the life you want. The dominoes are falling into place!
You’re way more in charge of your life now. Even in your twenties, you might have to go to your parents for help or have to rely on roommates in order to pay for your apartment. In your 30s, it’s all on you.
Family becomes the center of your world. In your 20s, life was all about your friends. In your 30s, it’s all about family—whether you’re starting a new one or cherishing the one you’ve already got.
You won’t see your friends as often. They’re busy with their kids or demanding jobs. But you’ll be happy to see them when everyone can sync up their schedules!
You don’t deal with people’s crap anymore. Toxic friend? No thanks. Rude guy on the bus? Yeah, you’ll give him a piece of your mind.
You can still be immature. Don’t let the date on your driver’s license fool you: you can still act like a big ol’ kid.
You’re still cool. I swear! Just a sophisticated, distinguished kind of cool.
You don’t miss your 20s. You’re more than happy to move on.

11 Reasons Why You’d Love (or Hate) Working From Home

After spending 40 mind-numbing hours each week on a job you can’t stand, the mystique of working from home could certainly start to draw you in. After all, working from home solves most of the problems you have with your current job.

If you’re thinking of making the switch, then read on for 11 reasons why you love (or hate) working from home.

1. You’re in charge of what you do. There’s no boss standing over you, making sure you’re working on that advertising project and aren’t playing solitaire instead. You can pick your own projects, so you’re always working on something you like. Best of all, you pick your own clients, so you can avoid people you just know you’re going to hate working with.

Then again, without that boss watching your every move, you may just play solitaire all day.

2. You can wear whatever you want. Pajamas with little unicorns on them? Great! Fuzzy slippers? Awesome! When you work from home, you can wear just about anything, so long as you don’t mind answering the door to accept a package in that dinosaur onesie.

Then again, it can get hard to get into “business mode” when you’re dressed like you’re at a teenage slumber party. If you start slacking, maybe it’s time to put on some pants.

3. There’s no limit to how much you can make. When you work at a traditional job, you have to beg and plead for just a $0.25 per-hour raise. When you work from home, it’s a lot easier to make more money. Add on a new client or raise your rates.

Then again, there’s no limit to how little you can make. You don’t have the benefit of “base pay.” Slow months happen, and so do emergency packets of cheap ramen noodles.

4. There’s no commute! Unless you consider walking 30 feet from your bedroom to your desk a “commute.” You no longer have to sit through mind-numbing traffic or try to avoid the weird dude on the bus who smells like onions.

Then again, without a commute bookending your work day, it can get hard to get into the headspace for work. And, if you’re a workaholic, you might find it hard to stop for dinner–or sleep.

5. You set your own schedule. Not a morning person? Then sleep in and start your workday at 11 AM. Need to work within your children’s school schedule? Not a problem!

Then again, time is just another obstacle you have to wrestle with if you’re not feeling motivated. No one is making you work, after all. Although the company you work for might try to increase your productivity by implementing an attendance management system to track your working hours

6. You can live anywhere. Most people who work from home only need Internet access and a semi-decent computer to get the job done. Heck, you can get that just about anywhere! Bora Bora, here you come.

Then again, just because you can live anywhere, doesn’t mean you will. For most, that nomadic lifestyle is just a pipe dream.

7. You get to avoid annoying coworkers. Jan in payroll? She’s the worst. So is Danny, who has no concept of personal space–or deodorant. But, now that you work from home, you can avoid them all.

Then again, now you don’t see anyone. If you’re not careful, you could go days without talking to a single person in real life. That’s unhealthy. If you go the work-from-home route, make sure you actually see real living people on a regular basis.

8. You won’t get distracted by pointless meetings. Do you really need a meeting on the company’s change from yellow sticky notes to blue? No. Luckily, no inane timewasters from your boss when you’re working from home.

Then again, you might get distracted by other things. Facebook is calling to you, isn’t it?

9. Mini-breaks in the day are no problem. Need to go to the bank? You can do that during the day. Just take a break! Same goes from grocery shopping trips, doctor’s appointments and extra-long lunches with friends.

Then again, there’s always that well-meaning friend that thinks you can drop everything to watch her toddler for a few hours since you don’t have a “real job.”

10. You get some nifty tax breaks. Have a room in your house that is now your official office? Guess what, you can claim it on your US taxes. You can even claim any business expenses, including business lunches. Score!

Then again, gone are the days where you could fill out a simple income tax form in half an hour. Now you have to worry about claiming those business expenses and counting the business-related milage on your car. Better start looking for a good accountant now…

11. You’ll feel great about yourself. You’re a business owner! It takes a lot of guts and a lot of hard work to do what you’re doing. Not everyone can work from home. Most people need a boss to tell them what to do. But not you! You’re your own boss!

Then again, some people might try to get you down. Like the afforementioned friend, there’s a good chance that there will be people in your life that don’t understand your career choice. They might think you spend your whole day playing video games.

Well, screw ’em. You’re doing just fine.