diff --git a/spec/models/user_spec.rb b/spec/models/user_spec.rb
index 2ce876dd..af300d69 100644
--- a/spec/models/user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/user_spec.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,28 @@
 require 'rails_helper'
 
 RSpec.describe User, :type => :model do
+  before :each do
+    @user = User.new(
+        screen_name: 'FunnyMeme2004',
+        password: 'y_u_no_secure_password?',
+        email: 'nice.meme@nsa.gov'
+    )
+  end
+
+  subject { @user }
+
+  it { should respond_to(:email) }
+
+  it '#email returns a string' do
+    expect(@user.email).to match 'nice.meme@nsa.gov'
+  end
+
+  it '#motivation_header has a default value' do
+    expect(@user.motivation_header).to match ''
+  end
+
+  it 'does not save an invalid screen name' do
+    @user.screen_name = '$Funny-Meme-%&2004'
+    expect{@user.save!}.to raise_error(ActiveRecord::RecordInvalid)
+  end
 end