Moving out of your parents’ house can be really scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these ABC’s, which will teach you everything you need to know to start living on your own:
Adulting (verb): to do grown up things and hold responsibilities, such as a 9-5 job, a mortgage/rent, a car payment, or anything else that makes one think of grown ups. (via urbandictionary.com)
Budgeting: figure out how much money you need for things like rent, groceries, utilities, student loans, and car-related payments, and then you can figure out how much money is left over to play with (and save)! Some people find it convenient to pay rent with a credit card to better manage cash flow or to earn rewards. However, it’s crucial to pay off the credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
Cooking: you’re going to burn something at least once. Don’t get discouraged. Practice makes perfect!
Decorating: probably the most fun part of moving into a new place: you get to choose what goes into it! Go nuts. Let your new home reflect your personality!
Exploring: get to know your new area – city, town, neighborhood – whatever it is! Being a local in a new place means getting to know the “townie” spots.
Furniture: think about how you want to furnish your new place. Will you order furniture? Go to IKEA? Get it from relatives/friends?
Grocery shopping: be smart about how you grocery shop; remember that you’re shopping for one. If you over-shop, you’ll end up throwing food away. Pro tip: always shop from a list, and never when you’re hungry!
Health: take care of yourself. Get your yearly checkups, pay for insurance, and know when it’s time to consult a doctor. You’re working hard, so make sure that you’re taking care of yourself first.
Independence: make your own choices. But don’t forget, independent doesn’t mean alone. If you have a question, it doesn’t make you any less of an adult to ask for advice. In fact, part of adulthood is learning when you need to ask for help and accepting it from those who offer.
Journal: consider keeping one. Some days will be better than others. It’s helpful to remind yourself of that on the bad days, and a journal is a great way to do just that!
Kitchen stuff: now that you’re going to learn to cook, you should have the basics – silverware, a few pots and pans, spatulas, mixing spoons, plates, glasses, etc. If you like to bake, you should also think about getting baking supplies.
List, as in keep one: write down all the important numbers (landlord, electric company, gas company, etc.), dates (as well as due dates for bills!), and little things you’re bound to forget. Include people’s birthdays. It’ll mean the world to them when you remember.
Maintaining your new crib: don’t wait until something’s broken to fix it. If something makes a weird sound, or looks strange, or is doing something you feel like it shouldn’t, report it to your landlord. Or call your dad. That’s also a viable option.
Neighbors: living on your own can be tough, and at times, very lonely. One thing you can do to curb this loneliness is making friends where you live. If you don’t have roommates, your neighbors are a great place to start!
Opportunity: this is such a great one. You can prove to yourself how capable you are. Make yourself a new life. This is a brand new start, a brand new chapter. Congratulations!
Paying bills: pay all of your bills, on time, every month. This really matters, because it affects your credit score. Live within your means, and stick to your budget.
Questions: you’re bound to have them. But there are so many resources available to you. With a little basic research, you can find the answers to most of them. If not, there’s always friends, coworkers, and family to ask!
Roommates – if you have them: do you want to live with your besties? Strangers? Friends from work? The best part is that YOU get to choose! (Or, you can even choose not to have them!)
Smart shopping: look out for big sales! If you really need something, prioritize it, even if that means sacrificing something else you want. Wait for things to go on sale, and you’ll really learn the beauty of delayed gratification!
Tears: sometimes you just need a good cry. Whenever this happens, do something to make yourself happy. Call your mom, watch your favorite movie, or get some comfort food.
Utilities: don’t forget to include utilities in your budget – gas, heat, air conditioning, electric, cable, and wifi. Some of these might be included in your rent, but it’s still important to get an idea of what you’re in for.
Vacation: here’s an excellent opportunity to plug the importance of saving. Do you love to travel? Have you saved up vacation days at work? The best way to give yourself a break once in a while is to live slightly below your means, and then to put that money toward a vacation! Treat yo’ self!
Wait, when you can: you don’t have to have everything right when you move into your new place! Moving is an expensive activity. Move in with the essentials, and then add to those gradually as you settle in.
eXercise: this one is super important. Build it into your new routine from the beginning. Figure out what’s important to you, and then find somewhere that feels like a good fit. There’s no right or wrong answer on this one!
Year: the first year is the hardest. You experience these bills, deadlines, and unexpected expenses for the first time. The second year, you’ll have done it all before, so you’ll be a pro!
Zone, as in “you’re in the”: it’s a huge accomplishment to make it on your own. You spend the whole first 18+ years of your life preparing for it, and now it’s time to spread your wings. Enjoy every minute!
