I took time to heal -- probably not enough time, truth be told -- and then I decided to try my luck in the dating world. What I didn't realize was just how much dating had changed since I was 18.

I also realize it is not only skin deep. We are reading all sorts of ludicrous books on feminism that we may never have picked up 15 years ago (for me, it's Fear of Flying.. I'm not knocking Ms. Jong, but I would not have appreciated it in my 30s). We are determining our identities and one step further and more subconsciously, our legacies.

If you downsize in your 40s, and invest that $75,000 in a portfolio with a mix of stocks and bonds with a 6.5 percent annual rate of return, it could grow to nearly $250,000 over 20 years.

Though you might feel settled, becoming complacent could impact your financial well-being. Don't fall prey to these common money mistakes that people often make in their 40s.

People will make time for you if you're important to them. And they pretty much won't if you're not.

Exercising is essential, but so is eating a bag of kettle corn popcorn occasionally. It's all about balance.