Moving away from home and the freedom it gives for you to live your adult life on your own is exciting. It can also be very challenging especially when you first move. What can help you make the transition smoothly?
1. Careful Planning.
Decide on what your goals are and how you will attain them by moving out of home. If you’re moving to go for post-secondary schooling, decide whether you’ll want to live on campus or off campus. Will you live with roommates or by yourself? Those are factors that will help you decide what place you’ll be moving into.
2. Budget.
If you’ve just finished high school, you likely don’t have a lot of funds so you’ll probably be renting and not buying a home anytime soon. Have a practical budget prepared for you to stick to so that you won’t get yourself in the big black hole of debt. Find proper accommodations within your budget. Make sure your budget reflects the reality of living because it’s not cheap being on your own. Your parent’s have provided a lot of things you may have taken for granted and not really thought about like paying the power bill and buying groceries. Have your parents help you make a workable budget. Do research online to see how much things in general really cost. Spend your money wisely and read up on how you can do so. Practical financial advice when applied is so important so you can thrive on your own and not get caught up in enormous debt. Get a job to help you boost your income if you can while going to school.
3. Household Management.
When you’re on your own, you’ll be your own boss when it comes to doing chores. You might think how awesome it would be to just leave the dishes and not make your bed and leave clothes on the floor without having your parents to nag you about it; however, when the dishes pile up and you can’t find any clean clothes, this will disrupt your life. You’ll need to do your own dishes and clean up your home so it won’t become a hazard and an inconvenience to you. It’s a good start to learn how to do things on your own by helping your parents out often with chores at home. Do your own laundry, take out the garbage, and do the dishes after dinner. Ask your parents for advice or look online for advice on efficient cleaning. Ask them how to pay bills and how to look for deals when it comes to shopping for household items. They’ll be proud of the effort you’re making to become an independent adult and you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn from your parents.
4. Cooking And Buying Groceries.
Moving out on your own means you’ll have to prepare your own food. Eating out is nice but it can be costly. Cheap eating is usually terrible for your health though fast food isn’t even cheap nowadays. Look for recipes tailored for people on a budget. Now that your parents aren’t there over your shoulder, make sure to eat regularly. It’s easy to forget to eat until you’re too hungry to cook and you give in to takeout. Avoid getting too many specialty coffees as it can add up. You might be better off investing in your own coffee or espresso machine. You can look online for used espresso machines for a cheaper price.
5. Family Matters.
Don’t forget to call your parents or visit often. It’s so easy to let your parents call you instead, but make the effort to regularly communicate with them to let them know how you’re doing and listen well when they tell you how everything is with them. Keep the lines of communication open. If you face certain challenges, don’t be afraid to let them know so they can give you helpful advice on how to deal with them. Don’t just call when you need something from them. Call them when you’ve accomplished something they’d be proud of or just call to see how they’re doing.
6. Trial Run.
If you’re really nervous about the finality of moving out, do a trial on your own or with roommates for a few months. For a smooth move, have Brisk Transport move your valuables to your destination for you. After the trial months are over, evaluate how you did and what you’d change or keep from the experience. The trial will definitely help to see if you can stick to your budget and know how to live with other people other than your family and how you do at keeping up with chores.
7. Develop Good Habits.
It’s good to do this way before you move. Though it’s tempting to party every weekend or stay up till the wee hours of the morning, that lifestyle gets old quick, burns a hole in your pocket, and leaves you feeling too tired to handle the responsibilities of life. Sticking to a good schedule and being organized makes life way easier in the long run. Of course, set aside time for recreation and relaxation but within reason. There are a lot of free activities available to do in different communities so avail yourself of those so entertainment won’t be too costly for you. Don’t be afraid to say no to doing things you can’t afford. Your real friends won’t mind.
Hopefully the above advice can help make your first move a little less daunting.