“18” is the age when we leave our childhood and enter the world of adults. That means you don’t have to ask for permission from anyone anymore when it comes to stepping out or buying something new. It’s the beginning of becoming independent and living our lives as we want. Some may want to go to college and complete their education, while others may want to start working and become financially independent immediately. Whatever your case may be, moving out of the parental home is a big step that we all have to take sooner or later.
Moving out is a big step for any 18-year-old. It can be scary and intimidating, but it’s also an important part of becoming independent. Whether you’re considering living on your own or just want to know what to expect if you do decide to move out, here are some tips that should help!
1. First thing first, Get a JOB
It’s quite obvious that if you want to live on your own, you need money! It doesn’t matter whether you are 18 or 58. You need to have an income, so you can pay your bills and rent. It’s not that hard to find a job these days, but it does require some patience. You might even want to consider working part-time while attending college for example if this is the case with you.
It’s also true that you can’t get a high salaried job at such a young age. So you have to do your research and find jobs that allow young talents to apply. Don’t lose hope if you don’t get a job at first. You’ve to be practical and patient.
If this is not an option for you, then consider getting a part-time or summer job to help yourself with some extra cash while going through college if this is what works best for you! Keep trying and you will find the right job that suits your skills and talent!
2. Get yourself a place to live:
There are also many ways to make this experience easier on yourself while you’re still in the process of finding a permanent home! You can get your own room or apartment, but it’s always best if more than one person is sharing that space with you. So the expenses will be split between you and your roommates.
Renting places is probably one of the most daunting tasks when moving out, but if you are willing to go with renting a room in an apartment or house shared by several people it can be quite easy on your wallet! You will have access to free wifi, laundry machines, kitchen appliances, etc. Being lonely is another disadvantage of living alone. Living with others might prevent you from feeling lonely.
There are also possibilities to find a room or roommates through social media channels like Facebook or Twitter! So keep trying until you find someone who matches what you’re looking for in terms of location, age group, lifestyle, etc.
3. Make a budget and figure out how much money do you need to live alone:
This is really crucial! You have to be practical and think about money a lot more than you used to when living with your parents. You can get yourself a spreadsheet or even make one on Excel if it’s easier for you.
First of all, add up how much will the rent cost each month? Then consider other expenses like food, gas, electricity bills, etc.? Also don’t forget about the extra expenses like laundry, cleaning supplies, etc. It’s also good to think of your savings and long-term plans, for example, college or an apartment you want to buy one day.
It may be difficult at first due to lack of experience with budgeting money but you can always ask people who are older than you for advice. A few tips are to save money on groceries by sticking with generic brands, cooking at home more often, and eating leftovers for lunch the next day!
4. Start saving as soon as you start earning:
This rule applies to everyone in general. You will need a place to live and you probably want some furniture for it too! So, plan ahead and start saving as soon as possible.
When you’re 18 years old the best thing is putting your money into a regular bank account or even better yet– an investment account like Mutual funds or a Roth IRA. Make a plan and try to save as much money as you can each month for your future!
Since you are 18 and you start saving from now, you can gather a nice amount of money in a few years. You can use this sum for buying yourself your first apartment or house in the near future!
5. Gather an emergency fund:
Emergencies can knock on our doors at any point in our lives! So it’s better to be prepared for feeling sorry later! Especially, when you are living all on your own. In case if you live far away from your parents and you don’t have any family or friends nearby, then having an emergency fund is crucial for you!
Emergency savings are mostly used for medical issues, car repairs, or even to pay the bills if you lose your job. It can be quite difficult at first because not many people are willing to part with their savings for something they don’t know when will happen! But this is an extremely important step in learning how to budget money and live on your own.
6. Learn how to cook:
Cooking is one of the skills that will help you throughout your life. It doesn’t matter if you are living with your parents or on your own, learning how to cook is always beneficial! It’s an easy way to save money and it can also help you eat healthier! We all know how expensive restaurants are. So learning how to cook will save you a lot of money as well as time!
You may face difficulties while learning how to cook but it’s not rocket science either. Just keep practicing and soon or later Gordon Ramsey will ask for your location!
7. Keep in touch with your family:
Even if you are living on your own, it doesn’t mean that you should cut all ties with your family. You can visit them once or twice a week and keep in touch through phone calls or social media! This will allow both sides to stay connected even though they aren’t physically together anymore.
Also, if something happens like an emergency medical condition or car trouble, your family will be there to help you. It’s also nice to have someone who loves and cares about you close by!
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
There is nothing to be ashamed of if you need help from anyone both financially and emotionally. You’re only 18 and things can happen anytime without any warning. Just let your family know what you need help with and they will do whatever they can to support you!
The main thing is not being afraid to ask for it, because if you want something done then there’s a high chance that other people want the same too. So go ahead and reach out to those who love and care about you!
9. Get the most out of your first apartment:
Moving into an apartment can be a daunting task, but it’s also exciting! You will have to learn how to clean and do laundry for yourself. So make sure that you buy all necessary cleaning supplies, wash rugs, or mats because having carpet in your bedroom means extra work.
There are so many things to consider when you are ready for your first apartment. But the main thing is making sure that everything works properly and it’s safe! If there are any problems with appliances or faulty wiring, then don’t be afraid to report them immediately because they can become serious hazards later on!
10. Enjoy the journey and the freedom that comes along:
Moving out of your parents’ house and living on your own can be a scary thing. But it’s also very exciting because you will learn so many new things about yourself! You can finally decorate your place the way that you want to, cook whatever you desire, or spend time with someone who makes you happy without anyone judging! It’s all about enjoying the new journey and learning as much as you can from it!
But don’t get over your head! It’s not as easy as it may sound. You will make mistakes along the way and you might not always be successful at first. Experience is something that comes with time, so it’s important to learn from your failures as well as successes!
Final thoughts:
Moving out of your parents’ house at 18 is a big step in becoming an independent adult. But there are things that you can do to make the experience more enjoyable and less scary! If you can manage to keep your head cool and spend money wisely, then it could be a journey of a lifetime! Best of luck!!!
