Who doesn’t like to be independent? And being independent at the earliest might seem like a goal for many.
It might not be easy if you do not plan everything.
In the present economy, moving out of your parent’s house might affect your mental, emotional, and financial health.
How can you suddenly manage your finances when you decide to move out at an age as young as 18?
This blog is just the guide you need if you intend to move out at 18 and live independently.
Critical Questions
Some questions must be asked when you decide or even think about moving out of your parent’s house. These are:
Is it realistic to move out at 18?
Can you survive when you are independent of your parents’ money?
Are you conscious of the responsibilities that come with independence?
If you believe you have answers to this question in affirmation, go ahead.
And if not, prepare yourself, brace yourself, and then move out because moving out isn’t as easy as it might seem.
Reasons For Moving Out
According to an analysis, more than 750,000 Americans aged between 18 and 34 moved out of their parent’s homes between 2019 and 2021.
The question is why so many people prefer to move out of their parent’s homes.
Here are a few reasons that might be responsible for the same.
- You desire independence and autonomy in your life decisions.
- You wish to become more responsible by living independently.
- You understand finances and money better (we are here to help with this).
- You tend to reduce stress and hassle with your family members.
- You want to put in more time for your hobbies and interests.
- You aspire to be more confident and take risks with no worries.
However thrilling as it may sound, you can be in a toil if you do not take the required steps in your independence journey.
You might also have to compromise on your lifestyle and standard of living initially.
But eventually, you will get hold of the situation; hang on.
How To Get Out At 18?
Before You Move Out
Here are things that you should do before moving out.
1. Plan Before You Act
The foremost step is to plan before you act.
This means it is better to formulate a plan on how you will be moving out and when you will be moving out.
The roadmap would assist you in staying organized and being the responsible adult that you aspire to be.
The list that you need to follow includes the following:-
- A place to live.
- Getting access to utilities in that place.
- Furniture, even if it’s basic.
- Packing your belongings separately for convenience.
- Transporting your belongings if required.
- Being aware of the payday of your bills.
- Paying the said bills on time.
2. Get Done With The Talk
It is essential that before you take any other step, you talk about moving out with your family.
After you have devised your plan, it is intelligent to share it with your family and make them understand why you want to move out.
Also, do not hesitate to ask for help from your family as you plan your move out.
3. Secure Your Income
It is essential that before you physically move out of your parents’ house, you have a source of income.
Once you move out, you will have several bills; ensuring an income to pay those is vital.
It would help if you started working well before you moved out so that your income source becomes regular.
You can always work as a proofreader, writer, editor, or freelancer if you can take time out on weekends and earn extra bucks with these side hustles with the ease of your home.
You can also work traditional side jobs like babysitting, pet-sitting, car washer, tutoring, etc, to earn more.
You need to sacrifice some hours of parties at the weekend.
There are various other side hustles like social media management, receptionist, food delivery, etc.
Remember, if you have a regular source of income, taking up side jobs can be temporary until you adjust to your move out.
4. Save The Pennies
It might be that the lifestyle you are accustomed to at your parents’ house is lavish, but now that you have decided to move out, you must learn how to save.
Before you move into your bachelor pad, you need to have some bucks saved for you as emergencies can knock anytime on your door.
You can save money by cooking, using public transport instead of cabs, not taking up any expensive hobbies like golf, etc.
You could also take up multiple jobs to earn and save more.
5. Have Your Own Bank Account
You must have your bank account independent of any family account.
This is the account you will be receiving your income in and also the account you will be paying your bills from.
Always look for the banks that offer you more interest to get those extra bucks.
You could even use debit cards or online payments if you have a bank account, and you could keep track of your expenses, which helps you organize better.
You can also open a different bank account for your savings.
This will get you to save more and not use that money.
6. Bill Them In Your Name
You must make sure that before you move in, all the bills for the utilities you would be using are in your name.
Choose among the best companies that are available in your area of living.
Look for options in choosing insurance.
There are many companies; choose the one offering you the most insurance with negligible EMI.
Insurance might seem unnecessary, but it is vital, especially when living independently.
7. Lodging And Roomies
You must take notice of your income and try to find a place to rent that you can afford.
Do not go for something lavish just for the sake of it.
Try and live in a place with rent less than you could afford. Save those bucks.
It wouldn’t be possible to live alone in this economy.
Also, it isn’t always safe to live alone.
Look for flatmates that have their incomes and match your living style.
Do not let your friends be a burden on your independence.
8. Start Adulting
Before you move out, learn life skills.
Learn how to do your laundry, how to cook, how to clean up, which groceries, and what quantity to buy.
These life skills are the ones that will be your actual moving-out experience.
After You Move out
Here are things that you should do after moving out.
1. Create A Budget
It is necessary to keep track of your expenses. So, make a budget.
Notice your income and expenses and spend accordingly. Do not make wasteful expenses.
Try to follow the 50-30-20 budget rule. 50 goes to expenses, 30 initially to any extra expenses, and 20 to savings.
Here it is advised that you save furthermore from the 30%.
As you would have moved in recently, having more money on you would be better initially.
Best Budgeting Apps For Easy Money Management
2. Build Your Credit Score
After successfully moving out of your parents’ house, it is time to build your credit score.
It is necessary to have a good credit score to ensure you can get a loan during significant steps in your life.
Build your payment history; you can even automate your payments to avoid failing them.
Best Websites To Check And Build Your Credit Score
3. Be A Miser
It isn’t always shameful to be a miser and spend less. Once you move out, look for free stuff.
Look for free or low-rated entertainment like sharing subscriptions with your flatmates etc.
Get furniture for your apartment from Craigslist or Freecycle sites alike.
You can get free stuff on these when you move out at 18.
You can also look for garage sales and get cheap stuff.
You even ask your family and friends for unused, good-conditioned items for your apartment.
Remember to clean everything once you get them.
4. Avoid Using Credit Cards
Once you move out at 18, as young as you are, a credit card might seem like a life save.
But avoid falling into that pit. Credit cards only make you overspend and then pay hefty interest.
Avoid such practices. They can also affect your credit scores if you fail to pay on time.
You do not want to fall into a debt trap after you move out.
You can use credit cards if you have an essential purchase to make.
But even then, remember to keep your expenses within budget and never miss a payment.
What Not To Do When You Move Out At 18?
1. Move Out In A Rash
Moving out without any plan can prove to be disastrous for you.
Since you would not have any plans, it might become difficult to manage your finances.
2. Having A Stranger As Your Flatmate
You may find living spaces that are cheap and fancy at the same time but have strangers living in them.
Make sure you live in a space with people you know or are friends with.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
3. Taking Stuff Away
You might feel you have a right to take stuff from your parent’s house, but let’s be honest, that stuff doesn’t belong to you.
And so, you are not entitled to take those things away with you.
If your parents want to help you out, then it’s a different matter.
4. Be Alone
Do not believe that since you have decided to move out at 18, you need to cut yourself off from your family.
You may need help at times, and it is totally okay to ask for help from your parents and family.
Could you not cut them off? It does not matter that you leave your parent’s house; they will stay your well-wishers.
And they always have your back. Make sure moving out is respectful to them and you.
Conclusion
18 is a thrilling age. You are excited to become a legit adult while the anticipation of the future creeps in.
You might feel it is okay to move out as soon as you turn 18, but planning is vital.
You are always allowed to make mistakes but remember, if you decide to move out at 18 and fail in adulting the right way, you can always count on your parents on your team.
So, take in all the emotions- excitement, nervousness, anticipation, fear, happiness, sadness, etc. and go on the life journey as you move out at 18.
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