diff --git a/Changelog.md b/Changelog.md
index 42a0b6e54..77d1513c9 100644
--- a/Changelog.md
+++ b/Changelog.md
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ With the port to Bootstrap 3, app/views/terms/default.haml has a new structure.
 * Update to Rails 4.2.3 [#6140](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/pull/6140)
 * Refactor person related URL generation [#6168](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/pull/6168)
 * Move webfinger and HCard generation out of the core and embed the `diaspora_federation-rails` gem [#6151](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/pull/6151/)
+* Refactor rspec tests to to use `let` instead of before blocks [#6199](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/pull/6199)
 
 ## Bug fixes
 * Precompile facebox images [#6105](https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/pull/6105)
diff --git a/spec/models/account_deletion_spec.rb b/spec/models/account_deletion_spec.rb
index 576d58c57..0126edb77 100644
--- a/spec/models/account_deletion_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/account_deletion_spec.rb
@@ -2,91 +2,76 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe AccountDeletion, :type => :model do
-  it 'assigns the diaspora_handle from the person object' do
-    a = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
-    expect(a.diaspora_handle).to eq(alice.person.diaspora_handle)
+  let(:account_deletion_new) { AccountDeletion.new(person: alice.person) }
+  let(:account_deletion_create) { AccountDeletion.create(person: alice.person) }
+
+  it "assigns the diaspora_handle from the person object" do
+    expect(account_deletion_new.diaspora_handle).to eq(alice.person.diaspora_handle)
   end
 
-  it 'fires a job after creation'do
+  it "fires a job after creation"do
     expect(Workers::DeleteAccount).to receive(:perform_async).with(anything)
-
-    AccountDeletion.create(:person => alice.person)
+    account_deletion_create
   end
 
   describe "#perform!" do
-    before do
-      @ad = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
+    it "creates a deleter" do
+      expect(AccountDeleter).to receive(:new).with(alice.person.diaspora_handle).and_return(double(perform!: true))
+      account_deletion_new.perform!
     end
 
-    it 'creates a deleter' do
-      expect(AccountDeleter).to receive(:new).with(alice.person.diaspora_handle).and_return(double(:perform! => true))
-      @ad.perform!
-    end
-    
-    it 'dispatches the account deletion if the user exists' do
-      expect(@ad).to receive(:dispatch)
-      @ad.perform!
+    it "dispatches the account deletion if the user exists" do
+      expect(account_deletion_new).to receive(:dispatch)
+      account_deletion_new.perform!
     end
 
-    it 'does not dispatch an account deletion for non-local people' do
-      deletion = AccountDeletion.new(:person => remote_raphael)
+    it "does not dispatch an account deletion for non-local people" do
+      deletion = AccountDeletion.new(person: remote_raphael)
       expect(deletion).not_to receive(:dispatch)
       deletion.perform!
     end
 
-    it 'marks an AccountDeletion as completed when successful' do
-      ad = AccountDeletion.create(:person => alice.person)
-      ad.perform!
-      expect(ad.reload.completed_at).not_to be_nil
+    it "marks an AccountDeletion as completed when successful" do
+      account_deletion_create.perform!
+      expect(account_deletion_create.reload.completed_at).not_to be_nil
     end
   end
 
-  describe '#dispatch' do
-    it "sends the account deletion xml" do
-      @ad = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
-      @ad.send(:dispatch)
-    end
-
-    it 'creates a public postzord' do
+  describe "#dispatch" do
+    it "creates a public postzord" do
       expect(Postzord::Dispatcher::Public).to receive(:new).and_return(double.as_null_object)
-      @ad = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
-      @ad.send(:dispatch)
+      account_deletion_new.dispatch
     end
   end
 
   describe "#subscribers" do
-    it 'includes all remote contacts' do
-      @ad = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
+    it "includes all remote contacts" do
       alice.share_with(remote_raphael, alice.aspects.first)
 
-      expect(@ad.subscribers(alice)).to eq([remote_raphael])
+      expect(account_deletion_new.subscribers(alice)).to eq([remote_raphael])
     end
 
-    it 'includes remote resharers' do
-      @ad = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
-      sm = FactoryGirl.create( :status_message, :public => true, :author => alice.person)
-      r1 = FactoryGirl.create( :reshare, :author => remote_raphael, :root => sm)
-      r2 = FactoryGirl.create( :reshare, :author => local_luke.person, :root => sm)
+    it "includes remote resharers" do
+      status_message = FactoryGirl.create(:status_message, public: true, author: alice.person)
+      FactoryGirl.create(:reshare, author: remote_raphael, root: status_message)
+      FactoryGirl.create(:reshare, author: local_luke.person, root: status_message)
 
-      expect(@ad.subscribers(alice)).to eq([remote_raphael])
+      expect(account_deletion_new.subscribers(alice)).to eq([remote_raphael])
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'serialization' do
-    before do
-      account_deletion = AccountDeletion.new(:person => alice.person)
-      @xml = account_deletion.to_xml.to_s
+  describe "serialization" do
+    let(:xml) { account_deletion_new.to_xml.to_s }
+
+    it "should have a diaspora_handle" do
+      expect(xml.include?(alice.person.diaspora_handle)).to eq(true)
     end
 
-    it 'should have a diaspora_handle' do
-      expect(@xml.include?(alice.person.diaspora_handle)).to eq(true)
-    end
-    
-    it 'marshals the xml' do
-      expect(AccountDeletion.from_xml(@xml)).to be_valid
+    it "marshals the xml" do
+      expect(AccountDeletion.from_xml(xml)).to be_valid
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/acts_as_taggable_on_tag_spec.rb b/spec/models/acts_as_taggable_on_tag_spec.rb
index 159c7c035..84f1fd982 100644
--- a/spec/models/acts_as_taggable_on_tag_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/acts_as_taggable_on_tag_spec.rb
@@ -1,45 +1,45 @@
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag, :type => :model do
-  describe '.autocomplete' do
-    before do
-      @tag = ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.create(:name => "cats")
-    end
-    it 'downcases the tag name' do
-      expect(ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.autocomplete("CATS")).to eq([@tag])
+  subject(:tag) { ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag }
 
+  describe ".autocomplete" do
+    let!(:tag_cats) { tag.create(name: "cats") }
+
+    it "downcases the tag name" do
+      expect(tag.autocomplete("CATS")).to eq([tag_cats])
     end
 
-    it 'does an end where on tags' do
-      expect(ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.autocomplete("CAT")).to eq([@tag])
+    it "does an end where on tags" do
+      expect(tag.autocomplete("CAT")).to eq([tag_cats])
     end
   end
 
   describe ".normalize" do
     it "removes leading hash symbols" do
-      expect(ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.normalize("#mytag")).to eq("mytag")
+      expect(tag.normalize("#mytag")).to eq("mytag")
     end
 
     it "removes punctuation and whitespace" do
       {
-        'node.js'                        => 'nodejs',
-        '.dotatstart'                    => 'dotatstart',
-        'you,inside'                     => 'youinside',
-        'iam(parenthetical)'             => 'iamparenthetical',
-        'imeanit?maybe'                  => 'imeanitmaybe',
-        'imeanit!'                       => 'imeanit',
-        'how about spaces'               => 'howaboutspaces',
-        "other\twhitespace\n"            => 'otherwhitespace',
-        'hash#inside'                    => 'hashinside',
-        'f!u@n#k$y%-<c>^h&a*r(a)c{t}e[r]s' => 'funky-characters'
+        "node.js"                          => "nodejs",
+        ".dotatstart"                      => "dotatstart",
+        "you,inside"                       => "youinside",
+        "iam(parenthetical)"               => "iamparenthetical",
+        "imeanit?maybe"                    => "imeanitmaybe",
+        "imeanit!"                         => "imeanit",
+        "how about spaces"                 => "howaboutspaces",
+        "other\twhitespace\n"              => "otherwhitespace",
+        "hash#inside"                      => "hashinside",
+        "f!u@n#k$y%-<c>^h&a*r(a)c{t}e[r]s" => "funky-characters"
       }.each do |invalid, normalized|
-        expect(ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.normalize(invalid)).to eq(normalized)
+        expect(tag.normalize(invalid)).to eq(normalized)
       end
     end
 
-    it 'allows for love' do
-      expect(ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.normalize("<3")).to eq("<3")
-      expect(ActsAsTaggableOn::Tag.normalize("#<3")).to eq("<3")
+    it "allows for love" do
+      expect(tag.normalize("<3")).to eq("<3")
+      expect(tag.normalize("#<3")).to eq("<3")
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/aspect_membership_spec.rb b/spec/models/aspect_membership_spec.rb
index 12b01fe24..f57950794 100644
--- a/spec/models/aspect_membership_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/aspect_membership_spec.rb
@@ -2,31 +2,29 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 #
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe AspectMembership, :type => :model do
+  describe "#before_destroy" do
+    let(:aspect) { alice.aspects.create(name: "two") }
+    let(:contact) { alice.contact_for(bob.person) }
+    let(:aspect_membership) { alice.aspects.where(name: "generic").first.aspect_memberships.first }
 
-  describe '#before_destroy' do
     before do
-      @aspect = alice.aspects.create(:name => "two")
-      @contact = alice.contact_for(bob.person)
-
-      @am = alice.aspects.where(:name => "generic").first.aspect_memberships.first
-      allow(@am).to receive(:user).and_return(alice)
+      allow(aspect_membership).to receive(:user).and_return(alice)
     end
 
-    it 'calls disconnect if its the last aspect for the contact' do
-      expect(alice).to receive(:disconnect).with(@contact)
+    it "calls disconnect if its the last aspect for the contact" do
+      expect(alice).to receive(:disconnect).with(contact)
 
-      @am.destroy
+      aspect_membership.destroy
     end
 
-    it 'does not call disconnect if its not the last aspect for the contact' do
+    it "does not call disconnect if its not the last aspect for the contact" do
       expect(alice).not_to receive(:disconnect)
 
-      alice.add_contact_to_aspect(@contact, @aspect)
-      @am.destroy     
+      alice.add_contact_to_aspect(contact, aspect)
+      aspect_membership.destroy
     end
   end
-
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/aspect_spec.rb b/spec/models/aspect_spec.rb
index 4d85a2b1f..3ccae9515 100644
--- a/spec/models/aspect_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/aspect_spec.rb
@@ -2,41 +2,35 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe Aspect, :type => :model do
-  describe 'creation' do
-    before do
-      @name = alice.aspects.first.name
+  describe "creation" do
+    let(:name) { alice.aspects.first.name }
+
+    it "does not allow duplicate names" do
+      expect { alice.aspects.create(name: name) }.not_to change(Aspect, :count)
     end
 
-    it 'does not allow duplicate names' do
-      expect {
-        invalid_aspect = alice.aspects.create(:name => @name)
-      }.not_to change(Aspect, :count)
+    it "validates case insensitiveness on names" do
+      expect { alice.aspects.create(name: name.titleize) }.not_to change(Aspect, :count)
     end
 
-    it 'validates case insensitiveness on names' do
-      expect {
-        invalid_aspect = alice.aspects.create(:name => @name.titleize)
-      }.not_to change(Aspect, :count)
-    end
-
-    it 'has a 20 character limit on names' do
-      aspect = Aspect.new(:name => "this name is really too too too too too long")
+    it "has a 20 character limit on names" do
+      aspect = Aspect.new(name: "this name is really too too too too too long")
       expect(aspect.valid?).to eq(false)
     end
 
-    it 'is able to have other users as contacts' do
-      aspect = alice.aspects.create(:name => 'losers')
+    it "is able to have other users as contacts" do
+      aspect = alice.aspects.create(name: "losers")
+      Contact.create(user: alice, person: eve.person, aspects: [aspect])
 
-      Contact.create(:user => alice, :person => eve.person, :aspects => [aspect])
-      expect(aspect.contacts.where(:person_id => alice.person.id)).to be_empty
-      expect(aspect.contacts.where(:person_id => eve.person.id)).not_to be_empty
+      expect(aspect.contacts.where(person_id: alice.person.id)).to be_empty
+      expect(aspect.contacts.where(person_id: eve.person.id)).not_to be_empty
       expect(aspect.contacts.size).to eq(1)
     end
 
-    it 'has a contacts_visible? method' do
+    it "has a contacts_visible? method" do
       expect(alice.aspects.first.contacts_visible?).to be true
     end
 
@@ -48,10 +42,10 @@ describe Aspect, :type => :model do
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'validation' do
-    it 'has no uniqueness of name between users' do
-      aspect = alice.aspects.create(:name => "New Aspect")
-      aspect2 = eve.aspects.create(:name => aspect.name)
+  describe "validation" do
+    it "has no uniqueness of name between users" do
+      aspect = alice.aspects.create(name: "New Aspect")
+      aspect2 = eve.aspects.create(name: aspect.name)
       expect(aspect2).to be_valid
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/models/block_spec.rb b/spec/models/block_spec.rb
index e8b3683a6..54f7317fd 100644
--- a/spec/models/block_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/block_spec.rb
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe Block, :type => :model do
-  describe 'validations' do
-    it 'doesnt allow you to block yourself' do
-      block = alice.blocks.create(:person => alice.person)
+  describe "validations" do
+    it "doesnt allow you to block yourself" do
+      block = alice.blocks.create(person: alice.person)
       expect(block.errors[:person_id].size).to eq(1)
     end
   end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/spec/models/comment_spec.rb b/spec/models/comment_spec.rb
index 33dc00e6f..9d62b3046 100644
--- a/spec/models/comment_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/comment_spec.rb
@@ -2,161 +2,162 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 require Rails.root.join("spec", "shared_behaviors", "relayable")
 
 describe Comment, :type => :model do
-  before do
-    @alices_aspect = alice.aspects.first
-    @status = bob.post(:status_message, :text => "hello", :to => bob.aspects.first.id)
-  end
+  let(:alices_aspect) { alice.aspects.first }
+  let(:status_bob) { bob.post(:status_message, text: "hello", to: bob.aspects.first.id) }
+  let(:comment_alice) { alice.comment!(status_bob, "why so formal?") }
 
   describe "#destroy" do
-    before do
-      @comment = alice.comment!(@status, "why so formal?")
-    end
-
     it "should delete a participation" do
-      expect { @comment.destroy }.to change { Participation.count }.by(-1)
+      comment_alice
+      expect { comment_alice.destroy }.to change { Participation.count }.by(-1)
     end
 
     it "should decrease count participation" do
-      alice.comment!(@status, "Are you there?")
-      @comment.destroy
-      participations = Participation.where(target_id: @comment.commentable_id, author_id: @comment.author_id)
+      alice.comment!(status_bob, "Are you there?")
+      comment_alice.destroy
+      participations = Participation.where(target_id: comment_alice.commentable_id, author_id: comment_alice.author_id)
       expect(participations.first.count).to eq(1)
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'comment#notification_type' do
-    let (:comment) { alice.comment!(@status, "why so formal?") }
-
+  describe "comment#notification_type" do
     it "returns 'comment_on_post' if the comment is on a post you own" do
-      expect(comment.notification_type(bob, alice.person)).to eq(Notifications::CommentOnPost)
+      expect(comment_alice.notification_type(bob, alice.person)).to eq(Notifications::CommentOnPost)
     end
 
     it "returns 'also_commented' if the comment is on a post you participate to" do
-      eve.participate! @status
-      expect(comment.notification_type(eve, alice.person)).to eq(Notifications::AlsoCommented)
+      eve.participate! status_bob
+      expect(comment_alice.notification_type(eve, alice.person)).to eq(Notifications::AlsoCommented)
     end
 
-    it 'returns false if the comment is not on a post you own and no one "also_commented"' do
-      comment = alice.comment!(@status, "I simply felt like issuing a greeting.  Do step off.")
-      expect(comment.notification_type(eve, alice.person)).to be false
+    it "returns false if the comment is not on a post you own and no one 'also_commented'" do
+      expect(comment_alice.notification_type(eve, alice.person)).to be false
     end
 
     context "also commented" do
+      let(:comment_eve) { eve.comment!(status_bob, "I also commented on the first user's post") }
+
       before do
-        alice.comment!(@status, "a-commenta commenta")
-        @comment = eve.comment!(@status, "I also commented on the first user's post")
+        comment_alice
       end
 
-      it 'does not return also commented if the user commented' do
-        expect(@comment.notification_type(eve, alice.person)).to eq(false)
+      it "does not return also commented if the user commented" do
+        expect(comment_eve.notification_type(eve, alice.person)).to eq(false)
       end
 
       it "returns 'also_commented' if another person commented on a post you commented on" do
-        expect(@comment.notification_type(alice, alice.person)).to eq(Notifications::AlsoCommented)
+        expect(comment_eve.notification_type(alice, alice.person)).to eq(Notifications::AlsoCommented)
       end
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'User#comment' do
+  describe "User#comment" do
     it "should be able to comment on one's own status" do
-      alice.comment!(@status, "Yeah, it was great")
-      expect(@status.reload.comments.first.text).to eq("Yeah, it was great")
+      bob.comment!(status_bob, "sup dog")
+      expect(status_bob.reload.comments.first.text).to eq("sup dog")
     end
 
     it "should be able to comment on a contact's status" do
-      bob.comment!(@status, "sup dog")
-      expect(@status.reload.comments.first.text).to eq("sup dog")
+      comment_alice
+      expect(status_bob.reload.comments.first.text).to eq("why so formal?")
     end
 
-    it 'does not multi-post a comment' do
+    it "does not multi-post a comment" do
       expect {
-        alice.comment!(@status, 'hello')
+        comment_alice
       }.to change { Comment.count }.by(1)
     end
 
     it "should create a participation" do
-      comment = bob.comment!(@status, "sup dog")
-      participations = Participation.where(target_id: comment.commentable_id, author_id: comment.author_id)
+      comment_alice
+      participations = Participation.where(target_id: comment_alice.commentable_id, author_id: comment_alice.author_id)
       expect(participations.count).to eq(1)
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'counter cache' do
-    it 'increments the counter cache on its post' do
+  describe "counter cache" do
+    it "increments the counter cache on its post" do
       expect {
-        alice.comment!(@status, "oh yeah")
+        comment_alice
       }.to change{
-        @status.reload.comments_count
+        status_bob.reload.comments_count
       }.by(1)
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'xml' do
+  describe "xml" do
+    let(:commenter) { create(:user) }
+    let(:commenter_aspect) { commenter.aspects.create(name: "bruisers") }
+    let(:post) { alice.post :status_message, text: "hello", to: alices_aspect.id }
+    let(:comment) { commenter.comment!(post, "Fool!") }
+    let(:xml) { comment.to_xml.to_s }
+
     before do
-      @commenter = FactoryGirl.create(:user)
-      @commenter_aspect = @commenter.aspects.create(:name => "bruisers")
-      connect_users(alice, @alices_aspect, @commenter, @commenter_aspect)
-      @post = alice.post :status_message, :text => "hello", :to => @alices_aspect.id
-      @comment = @commenter.comment!(@post, "Fool!")
-      @xml = @comment.to_xml.to_s
+      connect_users(alice, alices_aspect, commenter, commenter_aspect)
     end
 
-    it 'serializes the sender handle' do
-      expect(@xml.include?(@commenter.diaspora_handle)).to be true
+    it "serializes the sender handle" do
+      expect(xml.include?(commenter.diaspora_handle)).to be true
     end
 
-    it 'serializes the post_guid' do
-      expect(@xml).to include(@post.guid)
+    it "serializes the post_guid" do
+      expect(xml).to include(post.guid)
     end
 
-    describe 'marshalling' do
-      before do
-        @marshalled_comment = Comment.from_xml(@xml)
+    describe "marshalling" do
+      let(:marshalled_comment) { Comment.from_xml(xml) }
+
+      it "marshals the author" do
+        expect(marshalled_comment.author).to eq(commenter.person)
       end
 
-      it 'marshals the author' do
-        expect(@marshalled_comment.author).to eq(@commenter.person)
+      it "marshals the post" do
+        expect(marshalled_comment.post).to eq(post)
       end
 
-      it 'marshals the post' do
-        expect(@marshalled_comment.post).to eq(@post)
-      end
-
-      it 'tries to fetch a missing parent' do
-        guid = @post.guid
-        @post.destroy
+      it "tries to fetch a missing parent" do
+        guid = post.guid
+        marshalled_comment
+        post.destroy
         expect_any_instance_of(Comment).to receive(:fetch_parent).with(guid).and_return(nil)
-        Comment.from_xml(@xml)
+        Comment.from_xml(xml)
       end
     end
   end
 
-  describe 'it is relayable' do
+  describe "it is relayable" do
+    let(:remote_parent) { build(:status_message, author: remote_raphael) }
+    let(:local_parent) { local_luke.post :status_message, text: "hi", to: local_luke.aspects.first }
+    let(:object_by_parent_author) { local_luke.comment!(local_parent, "yo!") }
+    let(:object_by_recipient) { local_leia.build_comment(text: "yo", post: local_parent) }
+    let(:dup_object_by_parent_author) { object_by_parent_author.dup }
+    let(:object_on_remote_parent) { local_luke.comment!(remote_parent, "Yeah, it was great") }
+
     before do
-      @local_luke, @local_leia, @remote_raphael = set_up_friends
-      @remote_parent = FactoryGirl.build(:status_message, :author => @remote_raphael)
-      @local_parent = @local_luke.post :status_message, :text => "hi", :to => @local_luke.aspects.first
-
-      @object_by_parent_author = @local_luke.comment!(@local_parent, "yo")
-      @object_by_recipient = @local_leia.build_comment(:text => "yo", :post => @local_parent)
-      @dup_object_by_parent_author = @object_by_parent_author.dup
-
-      @object_on_remote_parent = @local_luke.comment!(@remote_parent, "Yeah, it was great")
+      # shared_behaviors/relayable.rb is still using instance variables, so we need to define them here.
+      # Suggestion: refactor all specs using shared_behaviors/relayable.rb to use "let"
+      @object_by_parent_author = object_by_parent_author
+      @object_by_recipient = object_by_recipient
+      @dup_object_by_parent_author = dup_object_by_parent_author
+      @object_on_remote_parent = object_on_remote_parent
     end
 
-    let(:build_object) { alice.build_comment(:post => @status, :text => "why so formal?") }
-    it_should_behave_like 'it is relayable'
+    let(:build_object) { alice.build_comment(post: status_bob, text: "why so formal?") }
+    it_should_behave_like "it is relayable"
   end
 
-  describe 'tags' do
+  describe "tags" do
+    let(:object) { build(:comment) }
+
     before do
-      @object = FactoryGirl.build(:comment)
+      # shared_behaviors/taggable.rb is still using instance variables, so we need to define them here.
+      # Suggestion: refactor all specs using shared_behaviors/taggable.rb to use "let"
+      @object = object
     end
-    it_should_behave_like 'it is taggable'
+    it_should_behave_like "it is taggable"
   end
-
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/contact_spec.rb b/spec/models/contact_spec.rb
index 9f8370952..b5efa37e1 100644
--- a/spec/models/contact_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/contact_spec.rb
@@ -2,31 +2,31 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe Contact, :type => :model do
-  describe 'aspect_memberships' do
-    it 'deletes dependent aspect memberships' do
-      expect{
+  describe "aspect_memberships" do
+    it "deletes dependent aspect memberships" do
+      expect {
         alice.contact_for(bob.person).destroy
       }.to change(AspectMembership, :count).by(-1)
     end
   end
 
-  context 'validations' do
-    let(:contact){Contact.new}
+  context "validations" do
+    let(:contact) { Contact.new }
 
-    it 'requires a user' do
+    it "requires a user" do
       contact.valid?
       expect(contact.errors.full_messages).to include "User can't be blank"
     end
 
-    it 'requires a person' do
+    it "requires a person" do
       contact.valid?
       expect(contact.errors.full_messages).to include "Person can't be blank"
     end
 
-    it 'ensures user is not making a contact for himself' do
+    it "ensures user is not making a contact for himself" do
       contact.person = alice.person
       contact.user = alice
 
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ describe Contact, :type => :model do
       expect(contact.errors.full_messages).to include "Cannot create self-contact"
     end
 
-    it 'validates uniqueness' do
+    it "validates uniqueness" do
       person = FactoryGirl.create(:person)
 
-      contact2 = alice.contacts.create(:person=>person)
+      contact2 = alice.contacts.create(person: person)
       expect(contact2).to be_valid
 
       contact.user = alice
@@ -47,54 +47,53 @@ describe Contact, :type => :model do
 
     it "validates that the person's account is not closed" do
       person = FactoryGirl.create(:person, :closed_account => true)
-
-      contact = alice.contacts.new(:person=>person)
+      contact = alice.contacts.new(person: person)
 
       expect(contact).not_to be_valid
       expect(contact.errors.full_messages).to include "Cannot be in contact with a closed account"
     end
   end
 
-  context 'scope' do
-    describe 'sharing' do
-      it 'returns contacts with sharing true' do
+  context "scope" do
+    describe "sharing" do
+      it "returns contacts with sharing true" do
         expect {
-          alice.contacts.create!(:sharing => true, :person => FactoryGirl.create(:person))
-          alice.contacts.create!(:sharing => false, :person => FactoryGirl.create(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(sharing: true, person: FactoryGirl.create(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(sharing: false, person: FactoryGirl.create(:person))
         }.to change{
           Contact.sharing.count
         }.by(1)
       end
     end
 
-    describe 'receiving' do
-      it 'returns contacts with sharing true' do
+    describe "receiving" do
+      it "returns contacts with sharing true" do
         expect {
-          alice.contacts.create!(:receiving => true, :person => FactoryGirl.build(:person))
-          alice.contacts.create!(:receiving => false, :person => FactoryGirl.build(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(receiving: true, person: FactoryGirl.build(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(receiving: false, person: FactoryGirl.build(:person))
         }.to change{
           Contact.receiving.count
         }.by(1)
       end
     end
 
-    describe 'only_sharing' do
-      it 'returns contacts with sharing true and receiving false' do
+    describe "only_sharing" do
+      it "returns contacts with sharing true and receiving false" do
         expect {
-          alice.contacts.create!(:receiving => true, :sharing => true, :person => FactoryGirl.build(:person))
-          alice.contacts.create!(:receiving => false, :sharing => true, :person => FactoryGirl.build(:person))
-          alice.contacts.create!(:receiving => false, :sharing => true, :person => FactoryGirl.build(:person))
-          alice.contacts.create!(:receiving => true, :sharing => false, :person => FactoryGirl.build(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(receiving: true, sharing: true, person: FactoryGirl.build(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(receiving: false, sharing: true, person: FactoryGirl.build(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(receiving: false, sharing: true, person: FactoryGirl.build(:person))
+          alice.contacts.create!(receiving: true, sharing: false, person: FactoryGirl.build(:person))
         }.to change{
           Contact.receiving.count
         }.by(2)
       end
     end
-    
+
     describe "all_contacts_of_person" do
-      it 'returns all contacts where the person is the passed in person' do
+      it "returns all contacts where the person is the passed in person" do
         person = FactoryGirl.create(:person)
-        contact1 = FactoryGirl.create(:contact, :person => person)
+        contact1 = FactoryGirl.create(:contact, person: person)
         contact2 = FactoryGirl.create(:contact)
         contacts = Contact.all_contacts_of_person(person)
         expect(contacts).to eq([contact1])
@@ -102,118 +101,107 @@ describe Contact, :type => :model do
     end
   end
 
-  describe '#contacts' do
+  describe "#contacts" do
     before do
-      @alice = alice
-      @bob = bob
-      @eve = eve
-      @bob.aspects.create(:name => 'next')
-      @bob.aspects(true)
+      bob.aspects.create(name: "next")
+      bob.aspects(true)
 
-      @original_aspect = @bob.aspects.where(:name => "generic").first
-      @new_aspect = @bob.aspects.where(:name => "next").first
+      @original_aspect = bob.aspects.where(name: "generic").first
+      @new_aspect = bob.aspects.where(name: "next").first
 
       @people1 = []
       @people2 = []
 
       1.upto(5) do
         person = FactoryGirl.build(:person)
-        @bob.contacts.create(:person => person, :aspects => [@original_aspect])
+        bob.contacts.create(person: person, aspects: [@original_aspect])
         @people1 << person
       end
       1.upto(5) do
         person = FactoryGirl.build(:person)
-        @bob.contacts.create(:person => person, :aspects => [@new_aspect])
+        bob.contacts.create(person: person, aspects: [@new_aspect])
         @people2 << person
       end
     #eve <-> bob <-> alice
     end
 
-    context 'on a contact for a local user' do
+    context "on a contact for a local user" do
       before do
-        @alice.reload
-        @alice.aspects.reload
-        @contact = @alice.contact_for(@bob.person)
+        alice.reload
+        alice.aspects.reload
+        @contact = alice.contact_for(bob.person)
       end
 
       it "returns the target local user's contacts that are in the same aspect" do
-        expect(@contact.contacts.map{|p| p.id}).to match_array([@eve.person].concat(@people1).map{|p| p.id})
+        expect(@contact.contacts.map(&:id)).to match_array([eve.person].concat(@people1).map(&:id))
       end
 
-      it 'returns nothing if contacts_visible is false in that aspect' do
+      it "returns nothing if contacts_visible is false in that aspect" do
         @original_aspect.contacts_visible = false
         @original_aspect.save
         expect(@contact.contacts).to eq([])
       end
 
-      it 'returns no duplicate contacts' do
-        [@alice, @eve].each {|c| @bob.add_contact_to_aspect(@bob.contact_for(c.person), @bob.aspects.last)}
-        contact_ids = @contact.contacts.map{|p| p.id}
+      it "returns no duplicate contacts" do
+        [alice, eve].each {|c| bob.add_contact_to_aspect(bob.contact_for(c.person), bob.aspects.last) }
+        contact_ids = @contact.contacts.map(&:id)
         expect(contact_ids.uniq).to eq(contact_ids)
       end
     end
 
-    context 'on a contact for a remote user' do
-      before do
-        @contact = @bob.contact_for @people1.first
-      end
-      it 'returns an empty array' do
-        expect(@contact.contacts).to eq([])
+    context "on a contact for a remote user" do
+      let(:contact) { bob.contact_for @people1.first }
+
+      it "returns an empty array" do
+        expect(contact.contacts).to eq([])
       end
     end
   end
 
-  context 'requesting' do
-    before do
-      @contact = Contact.new
-      @user = FactoryGirl.build(:user)
-      @person = FactoryGirl.build(:person)
+  context "requesting" do
+    let(:contact) { Contact.new user: user, person: person }
+    let(:user) { build(:user) }
+    let(:person) { build(:person) }
 
-      @contact.user = @user
-      @contact.person = @person
-    end
+    describe "#generate_request" do
+      it "makes a request" do
+        allow(contact).to receive(:user).and_return(user)
+        request = contact.generate_request
 
-    describe '#generate_request' do
-      it 'makes a request' do
-        allow(@contact).to receive(:user).and_return(@user)
-        request = @contact.generate_request
-
-        expect(request.sender).to eq(@user.person)
-        expect(request.recipient).to eq(@person)
+        expect(request.sender).to eq(user.person)
+        expect(request.recipient).to eq(person)
       end
     end
 
-    describe '#dispatch_request' do
-      it 'pushes to people' do
-        allow(@contact).to receive(:user).and_return(@user)
+    describe "#dispatch_request" do
+      it "pushes to people" do
+        allow(contact).to receive(:user).and_return(user)
         m = double()
         expect(m).to receive(:post)
         expect(Postzord::Dispatcher).to receive(:build).and_return(m)
-        @contact.dispatch_request
+        contact.dispatch_request
       end
     end
   end
 
   describe "#not_blocked_user" do
-    before do
-      @contact = alice.contact_for(bob.person)
-    end
+    let(:contact) { alice.contact_for(bob.person) }
 
     it "is called on validate" do
-      expect(@contact).to receive(:not_blocked_user)
-      @contact.valid?
+      expect(contact).to receive(:not_blocked_user)
+      contact.valid?
     end
 
     it "adds to errors if potential contact is blocked by user" do
       person = eve.person
-      block = alice.blocks.create(:person => person)
-      bad_contact = alice.contacts.create(:person => person)
+      alice.blocks.create(person: person)
+      bad_contact = alice.contacts.create(person: person)
 
       expect(bad_contact.send(:not_blocked_user)).to be false
     end
 
     it "does not add to errors" do
-      expect(@contact.send(:not_blocked_user)).to be true
+      expect(contact.send(:not_blocked_user)).to be true
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/models/conversation_spec.rb b/spec/models/conversation_spec.rb
index 690df1bba..fe44e463d 100644
--- a/spec/models/conversation_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/conversation_spec.rb
@@ -2,172 +2,160 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
 describe Conversation, :type => :model do
-  before do
-    @user1 = alice
-    @user2 = bob
-    @participant_ids = [@user1.contacts.first.person.id, @user1.person.id]
+  let(:user1) { alice }
+  let(:user2) { bob }
+  let(:participant_ids) { [user1.contacts.first.person.id, user1.person.id] }
+  let(:create_hash) {
+    {author: user1.person, participant_ids: participant_ids,
+      subject: "cool stuff", messages_attributes: [{author: user1.person, text: "hey"}]}
+  }
+  let(:conversation) { Conversation.create(create_hash) }
+  let(:message_last) {
+    Message.create(author: user2.person, created_at: Time.now + 100,
+      text: "last", conversation_id: conversation.id)
+  }
+  let(:message_first) {
+    Message.create(author: user2.person, created_at: Time.now + 100,
+      text: "first", conversation_id: conversation.id)
+  }
 
-    @create_hash = {
-      :author => @user1.person,
-      :participant_ids => @participant_ids,
-      :subject => "cool stuff",
-      :messages_attributes => [ {:author => @user1.person, :text => 'hey'} ]
-    }
+  it "creates a message on create" do
+    expect { conversation }.to change(Message, :count).by(1)
   end
 
-  it 'creates a message on create' do
-    expect{
-      Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-    }.to change(Message, :count).by(1)
-  end
-
-  describe '#last_author' do
-    it 'returns the last author to a conversation' do
-      cnv = Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-      Message.create(:author => @user2.person, :created_at => Time.now + 100, :text => "last", :conversation_id => cnv.id)
-      expect(cnv.reload.last_author.id).to eq(@user2.person.id)
+  describe "#last_author" do
+    it "returns the last author to a conversation" do
+      message_last
+      expect(conversation.reload.last_author.id).to eq(user2.person.id)
     end
   end
 
   describe "#ordered_participants" do
     it "returns the ordered participants" do
-      cnv = Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-      Message.create(author: @user2.person, created_at: Time.now + 100, text: "last", conversation_id: cnv.id)
-      expect(cnv.ordered_participants.first).to eq(@user2.person)
-      expect(cnv.ordered_participants.last).to eq(@user1.person)
+      message_last
+      expect(conversation.ordered_participants.first).to eq(user2.person)
+      expect(conversation.ordered_participants.last).to eq(user1.person)
     end
   end
 
-  describe '#first_unread_message' do
+  describe "#first_unread_message" do
     before do
-      @cnv = Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-      @message = Message.create(:author => @user2.person, :created_at => Time.now + 100, :text => "last", :conversation_id => @cnv.id)
-      @message.increase_unread(@user1)
+      message_last.increase_unread(user1)
     end
 
-    it 'returns the first unread message if there are unread messages in a conversation' do
-      @cnv.first_unread_message(@user1) == @message
+    it "returns the first unread message if there are unread messages in a conversation" do
+      conversation.first_unread_message(user1) == message_last
     end
 
-    it 'returns nil if there are no unread messages in a conversation' do
-      @cnv.conversation_visibilities.where(:person_id => @user1.person.id).first.tap { |cv| cv.unread = 0 }.save
-      expect(@cnv.first_unread_message(@user1)).to be_nil
+    it "returns nil if there are no unread messages in a conversation" do
+      conversation.conversation_visibilities.where(person_id: user1.person.id).first.tap {|cv| cv.unread = 0 }.save
+      expect(conversation.first_unread_message(user1)).to be_nil
     end
   end
 
-  describe '#set_read' do
+  describe "#set_read" do
     before do
-      @cnv = Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-      Message.create(:author => @user2.person, :created_at => Time.now + 100, :text => "first", :conversation_id => @cnv.id)
-             .increase_unread(@user1)
-      Message.create(:author => @user2.person, :created_at => Time.now + 200, :text => "last", :conversation_id => @cnv.id)
-             .increase_unread(@user1)
+      conversation
+      message_first.increase_unread(user1)
+      message_last.increase_unread(user1)
     end
 
-    it 'sets the unread counter to 0' do
-      expect(@cnv.conversation_visibilities.where(:person_id => @user1.person.id).first.unread).to eq(2)
-      @cnv.set_read(@user1)
-      expect(@cnv.conversation_visibilities.where(:person_id => @user1.person.id).first.unread).to eq(0)
+    it "sets the unread counter to 0" do
+      expect(conversation.conversation_visibilities.where(person_id: user1.person.id).first.unread).to eq(2)
+      conversation.set_read(user1)
+      expect(conversation.conversation_visibilities.where(person_id: user1.person.id).first.unread).to eq(0)
     end
   end
 
-  context 'transport' do
+  context "transport" do
+    let(:conversation_message) { conversation.messages.first }
+    let(:xml) { conversation.to_diaspora_xml }
+
     before do
-      @cnv = Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-      @message = @cnv.messages.first
-      @xml = @cnv.to_diaspora_xml
+      conversation
     end
 
-    describe 'serialization' do
-      it 'serializes the message' do
-        expect(@xml.gsub(/\s/, '')).to include(@message.to_xml.to_s.gsub(/\s/, ''))
+    describe "serialization" do
+      it "serializes the message" do
+        expect(xml.gsub(/\s/, "")).to include(conversation_message.to_xml.to_s.gsub(/\s/, ""))
       end
 
-      it 'serializes the participants' do
-        @create_hash[:participant_ids].each{|id|
-          expect(@xml).to include(Person.find(id).diaspora_handle)
-        }
+      it "serializes the participants" do
+        create_hash[:participant_ids].each do |id|
+          expect(xml).to include(Person.find(id).diaspora_handle)
+        end
       end
 
-      it 'serializes the created_at time' do
-        expect(@xml).to include(@message.created_at.to_s)
+      it "serializes the created_at time" do
+        expect(xml).to include(conversation_message.created_at.to_s)
       end
     end
 
-    describe '#subscribers' do
-      it 'returns the recipients for the post owner' do
-        expect(@cnv.subscribers(@user1)).to eq(@user1.contacts.map{|c| c.person})
+    describe "#subscribers" do
+      it "returns the recipients for the post owner" do
+        expect(conversation.subscribers(user1)).to eq(user1.contacts.map(&:person))
       end
     end
 
-    describe '#receive' do
+    describe "#receive" do
       before do
         Message.destroy_all
         Conversation.destroy_all
       end
 
-      it 'creates a message' do
-        expect{
-          Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(@xml).receive(@user1, @user2.person)
+      it "creates a message" do
+        expect {
+          Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(xml).receive(user1, user2.person)
         }.to change(Message, :count).by(1)
       end
-      it 'creates a conversation' do
-        expect{
-          Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(@xml).receive(@user1, @user2.person)
+      it "creates a conversation" do
+        expect {
+          Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(xml).receive(user1, user2.person)
         }.to change(Conversation, :count).by(1)
       end
-      it 'creates appropriate visibilities' do
-        expect{
-          Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(@xml).receive(@user1, @user2.person)
-        }.to change(ConversationVisibility, :count).by(@participant_ids.size)
+      it "creates appropriate visibilities" do
+        expect {
+          Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(xml).receive(user1, user2.person)
+        }.to change(ConversationVisibility, :count).by(participant_ids.size)
       end
-      it 'does not save before receive' do
-        expect(Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(@xml).persisted?).to be false
+      it "does not save before receive" do
+        expect(Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(xml).persisted?).to be false
       end
-      it 'notifies for the message' do
+      it "notifies for the message" do
         expect(Notification).to receive(:notify).once
-        Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(@xml).receive(@user1, @user2.person)
+        Diaspora::Parser.from_xml(xml).receive(user1, user2.person)
       end
     end
   end
 
   describe "#invalid parameters" do
     context "local author" do
-      before do
-        @invalid_hash = {
-          author:              peter.person,
-          participant_ids:     [peter.person.id, @user1.person.id],
-          subject:             "cool stuff",
-          messages_attributes: [{author: peter.person, text: "hey"}]
-        }
-      end
+      let(:invalid_hash) {
+        {author: peter.person, participant_ids: [peter.person.id, user1.person.id],
+          subject: "cool stuff", messages_attributes: [{author: peter.person, text: "hey"}]}
+      }
 
       it "is invalid with invalid recipient" do
-        conversation = Conversation.create(@invalid_hash)
-        expect(conversation).to be_invalid
+        invalid_conversation = Conversation.create(invalid_hash)
+        expect(invalid_conversation).to be_invalid
       end
     end
 
     context "remote author" do
-      before do
-        @remote_person = remote_raphael
-        @local_user = alice
-        @participant_ids = [@remote_person.id, @local_user.person.id]
-
-        @invalid_hash_remote = {
-          author:              @remote_person,
-          participant_ids:     @participant_ids,
-          subject:             "cool stuff",
-          messages_attributes: [{author: @remote_person, text: "hey"}]
-        }
-      end
+      let(:remote_person) { remote_raphael }
+      let(:local_user) { alice }
+      let(:participant_ids) { [remote_person.id, local_user.person.id] }
+      let(:invalid_hash_remote) {
+        {author: remote_person, participant_ids: participant_ids,
+          subject: "cool stuff", messages_attributes: [{author: remote_person, text: "hey"}]}
+      }
 
       it "is invalid with invalid recipient" do
-        conversation = Conversation.create(@invalid_hash_remote)
-        expect(conversation).to be_invalid
+        invalid_conversation_remote = Conversation.create(invalid_hash_remote)
+        expect(invalid_conversation_remote).to be_invalid
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/spec/models/conversation_visibilities_spec.rb b/spec/models/conversation_visibilities_spec.rb
index da15b8743..68a77a2f9 100644
--- a/spec/models/conversation_visibilities_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/conversation_visibilities_spec.rb
@@ -2,27 +2,20 @@
 #   licensed under the Affero General Public License version 3 or later.  See
 #   the COPYRIGHT file.
 
-require 'spec_helper'
+require "spec_helper"
 
-describe ConversationVisibility, :type => :model do
-  before do
-    @user1 = alice
-    @participant_ids = [@user1.contacts.first.person.id, @user1.person.id]
+describe ConversationVisibility, type: :model do
+  let(:user1) { alice }
+  let(:participant_ids) { [user1.contacts.first.person.id, user1.person.id] }
+  let(:create_hash) {
+    {author: user1.person, participant_ids: participant_ids, subject: "cool stuff",
+      messages_attributes: [{author: user1.person, text: "hey"}]}
+  }
+  let(:conversation) { Conversation.create(create_hash) }
 
-    @create_hash = {
-      :author => @user1.person,
-      :participant_ids => @participant_ids,
-      :subject => "cool stuff",
-      :messages_attributes => [ {:author => @user1.person, :text => 'hey'} ]
-    }
-    @conversation = Conversation.create(@create_hash)
-  end
+  it "destroy conversation when no participant" do
+    conversation.conversation_visibilities.each(&:destroy)
 
-  it 'destroy conversation when no participant' do
-    @conversation.conversation_visibilities.each do |visibility|
-      visibility.destroy
-    end
-      
-    expect(Conversation).not_to exist(@conversation.id)
+    expect(Conversation).not_to exist(conversation.id)
   end
 end