How to Live on Your Own After Moving Out for the First Time

How Can I Survive Living on My Own?

First of all, congratulations. You’re making a great change in your life, exiting your comfort zone, and that is worth celebrating. No one says it’s going to be easy, but this is a path that is definitely worth taking. No matter if you’re moving to another state to find a job or you’re relocating for college, the reality you’re used to is about the change, and you have to survive in the world that’s not always going to be easy on you. 

With all the challenges and the sweet taste of freedom, you are about to gain the experience of a lifetime, and that will be something no one can ever take away from you. Are you going to survive this? Of course, you are. All you need is a little bit of faith, and we’re here to help you get it. Once you familiarize yourself with all the necessary preparations, steps, and things you have to do after relocation, you’ll be one step closer to enjoying all the benefits that come with it. 

The Hardest Thing About Living on Your Own – Expenses

How much money do I need to live on my own? Well, that’s a tough one to answer. On one side, finally, you don’t have to ask for money every time you want to buy something, especially if it’s something silly or, as your parents might call it, “unnecessary.” Of course, it is necessary that you get your pet a new jacket every month, and you most certainly need some new gaming equipment. 

But on the other hand – if you blow all your savings on this, there won’t be anyone else to cover other costs. You know those “non-essential things” such as food and bills. Sure, in the worst-case scenario, you can move back in with your parents at 25, which is not a complete disaster, but you can also add a new term into your dictionary – financial responsibility.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Live By Yourself? If You Used to Live With Parents in Your Old Home, They Probably Paid for Everything

Is it cheaper to live by yourself? Most definitely not. Especially if your parents used to pay for everything and provide you with necessary financial stability your whole life. Sure, you might be spending less on food and other stuff if you’re alone in a household, but what about all the other things you weren’t even thinking about? Most people find it difficult to adapt to the fact that they are completely in charge of their finances, especially if they never were before. 

This is why it is recommended to find a roommate to share all the expenses until you learn how to make it on your own or have regular incomes that will cover all your needs. Accepting some kind of support from your parents, at least until you get on your feet and save something on your own, is also acceptable – just don’t let this codependency pull you down. It is normal that you need their support, so don’t be too proud to accept it. You can also consider getting a loan from a bank, but this means even higher responsibility.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live on Your Own?

How much does it cost to live on your own? This also depends on many factors. Moving out for the first time budget is something you should plan thoroughly. If you’re relocating to a new state, you will probably use more money than if you were relocating to a new apartment across the town. The second important thing is housing – how are you going to afford to rent a place and pay for it with your own savings? 

The relocation costs checklist doesn’t end here. How are you going to improve your future home and furnish it after you move to another city? After successfully changing your address, you’ll also have to pay for your own bills, utilities, and health insurance. If you’re relocating with pets, you’ll also have to cover their needs – food, medical treatments, and other accessories. In order to move efficiently, you’ll have to make a solid plan on how to handle all these costs as well as unpredicted ones.

Make a Financial Plan, Calculate Approximate Expenses in Advance and Always Leave Something for Emergencies

Do you want to organize your move like a pro and avoid relocation anxiety? You can actually calculate potential costs once you put everything on a piece of paper. Ensure this list covers all of the following categories, plus some unexpected expenses that might occur:

• Food,
• Rent, 
• Relocation insurance and deposit,
• Professional relocation services and packing supplies,
• Bank loan,
• Utilities,
• Transportation,
• Schooling,
• Home furnishing and maintenance,
• Cleaning supplies,
• Toiletries and cosmetics,
• Clothing,
• Social activities,
• Other.

If you already have a job or an approximate idea of how much money you are going to earn monthly, you need to ensure that this amount is enough to cover all of these expenses. If not, and you don’t have another source of income, you might as well postpone your move until the time is right. Here’s another great relocation hack. 

If you have chosen the place you’re relocating to, you should check some online resources to inform yourself about the cost of living in that area and monthly expenses. Numbeo offers one of the biggest cost of living databases, so type in the city you’re relocating to in its search engine and check the average monthly costs, all sorted in convenient categories that might interest you.

Remember to Take Care of Utilities on Time and Create a Schedule for Your Chores

Now that you know how to organize your finances, you are ready to learn more about other responsibilities that come with living on your own. No matter if we’re talking about a big house or a studio apartment, you’ll have to set up your priorities when it comes to chores. You’ll also have to pay your bills promptly – you don’t want to risk staying without electricity or, even worse – the internet. 

Chores Organizing Tips and Time Management Hacks 

Experts suggest that you should follow the next three golden rules to fight procrastination and laziness:

• Separate daily, weekly and monthly chores. You don’t have to do everything every day. This step is all about prioritizing. For example, you’ll probably have to wash dishes every day, but you don’t have to vacuum your home more than once a week. Some additional chores, such as washing windows, could be on your monthly list.
• Define the time needed to complete every chore. This way, you can evenly spread them out during the day. For example, if you need 15 minutes for doing dishes, you can leave this for the evening and do three activities that take 5 minutes in the morning, such as feeding your pet, making the bed, and taking out the trash.
• Create a daily chore list. Write down when you get up when you go to work and all other things you must do, and then fill in the rest of the schedule with thighs you can do around the house. This will make the process so much easier, and you won’t have to think about it a lot. Pro tip: do the chore you like the least first. That way you won’t delay it for another time.

Learn How to Deal With Everyday Challenges

Suppose you’re partially ready now that you have a plan on how to move, but you’ll also have to learn how to adjust to a new town and many other challenges that come with living on your own. You want to avoid falling into depression after relocation by staying active and highly functional. Start by cleaning your apartment before unpacking and continue with decorating your new home, learning how to cook, and so on. 

If you’re not very good at this, you should ask someone to help or get professional services, but make sure you take notes because you’ll have to learn these skills sooner or later. You’ll also have to organize important papers on your own, for example, those needed to rent an apartment. You’ll also have to be in charge of your medical records and find a new doctor in your area.

You’ll Probably Have to Fix Some Things Around the House on Your Own

Paying for every repair can seriously hinder your budget. You’ll have to try doing at least some small repairs on your own. We’re not saying that this will always be doable, but you can try and do your best. In most cases, it might pay off. You should at least learn how to change a light bulb or unclog your toilet. 

You should also learn where your circuit box is in case the power goes off. Part of your responsibility is to know who to contact if you can’t repair something on your own. This can also be challenging, so ensure you have these contacts for emergency situations. 

Now That You Know How to Live on Your Own, the Only Thing Left Is to Make a Final Decision and Follow Your Dreams

Hopefully, upcoming life challenges didn’t scare you, and you’re determined to proceed with your decision to relocate. If you follow the steps from our relocation guide, there is nothing to be afraid of. If you have a lot on your mind and you need assistance, getting long-distance moving services is always a good option. 

Professional long-distance movers can help you with packing your inventory and relocating everything to your new place in no time. This way, you’ll have more energy to deal with other responsibilities and use everything you learned from this article. Remember to always think through everything, make a good plan and don’t put too much on yourself – trust the process, and it will eventually lead you to many great things.