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10 Things to Remember When Moving Out

Moving out is a huge step in life.

By Haden M.Published 6 years ago 6 min read
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Most people seem to move out around the age of 22 or 23. Everyone is different, and it depends on the circumstances, though. If you are going to college and can't afford a move, my advice is to stay with your parents for as long as you can. There is no sense in paying tons of money when you could be saving up for your future. College is hard enough without having to worry about all of the bills that come with living on your own.

1) Moving is expensive.

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Shockingly enough, the rent and months after moving in is not the expensive part. It's moving in. There are down deposits, pet deposits (if you have one), recreation fees, maintenance fees, and there is furniture and other things you have to buy for your new place. All of these expenses add up, and, before you move in, you could end up having to pay up to $3000 or more just to get started. Therefore, when moving, it is important to remember to save money leading up to the day. If you want to move out in August, you need to make sure to save up as much as possible from when you decide that. Unless you are rich, moving shouldn't be a decision made quickly. It takes careful planning, and it can be extremely stressful. Don't put more pressure on yourself than you need to.

2) Create a list of things you need.

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When I moved out for the first time, I moved in and got unpacked in my new apartment just to find that I didn't have anything other than clothes and furniture. Because of this, I had to go to the store my very first night and buy kitchen utensils, soap, and little things like that. It was frustrating, and it was all stuff I should've already had. It helps to make a list of everything you have a couple weeks before your move. After getting a list of what you have, you can make a list of what you need and plan to get it as soon as possible. You don't want to move in only to realize you have nothing to cook with or do laundry with.

3) Make sure you have a form of income lined up.

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Again, moving can be really expensive, especially for a broke college student. Before you move, you need to make sure to have a job or something lined up for when you move. Whether you plan on paying your rent with loans, a job, or your parents money, you need something prepared. It also helps to save enough for the first couple of months. If you are already saving money for the initial move, you might as well save some for the first couple months of rent and food. Doing this gives you the time to find a way to make money.

4) Be frugal.

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Most people that move out are no long on their parents' bill. Therefore, there are many cutbacks that will have to take place. Instead of buying avocados and bagels, you might have to settle with 50 cent ramen. There are many sacrifices that come with moving, and this includes a lot of the small luxuries that came with living with parents. You might have to reduce the amount of clothes you buy, buy cheaper food, look for sales, and even use coupons.

5) Stop going out to eat.

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One of the main luxuries of not having bills is being able to go out with friends. While it is okay to enjoy it from time to time, it is not feasible to do every weekend. Going out to eat or going out for drinks can become expensive, and it is difficult to maintain that when you have so many other things to pay for. It is much cheaper to stay home and eat. However, if you can fit it in your budget, then, by all means, enjoy yourself. However, this is a luxury that can be given up if need be.

6) Find a responsible roommate.

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When moving out for the first time, it is always good to have a roommate. This is another person that will share the bills with you. They will share rent, water bill, electric bill, gas bill, cost of furniture and appliances, cable, internet, and even cost of food. Having at least one other roommate helps with everything. You will feel safer having someone else there with you, and they will share in household duties. Also, if you find a good roommate, you have a lifelong friend as well.

7) Find responsible roommates.

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This is definitely much easier said than done. However, it isn't impossible. You need to find a roommate that matches your personality style and expectations. It is preferable that you find someone you know, but not everyone has that ability. Give interviews and meet the people you might possibly room with ahead of time. Go through their social media. Treat it like a professional job inquiry. You wouldn't hire someone you don't get along with, so don't live with someone you won't get along with. It can be difficult and tedious, but you want to be friends with your roommate or at the very least civil. So do your research ahead of time.

8) Make a budget every month.

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Every month it is important to write down how much money you have, how much you will make, and what you can afford. Take your income for that month and subtract rent and other bills from it. What is leftover will be used for groceries, gas, and other necessities. Within the first couple of months, you should know how much money you spend on gas and groceries, so this should come easily to you after the first couple of months. A certain percentage of what is left over should be put into savings, and the rest can be used for splurging, clothes, movies, or going out to eat. This sounds stressful, and no one really wants to do it. However, it helps so much in the long run if you know exactly how much you have to spend, and if you don't spend it all, you have more money for savings and fun stuff.

9) Keep in contact.

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Moving somewhere new is scary, especially if your family isn't there to support you. Keep in contact with family and old friends even when it becomes difficult. When I first moved out, I struggled keeping up with my family. I'd only talk to them once every couple of weeks, and despite me only living an hour away, I only saw them every couple of months. I drifted from a lot of my friends from home as well, for I just got lazy and met new people. However, those old contacts come in handy. My family was there for me when I decided to come home, and, now that I've moved out again, I am making more of an effort to be there. My old friends have helped me through some hard times, and, by keeping them around, I have a place to stay in several different areas. It is a huge benefit to have these people in your lives even if it's sometimes difficult to keep track of them as you add more to that list.

10) Enjoy your independence.

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Independence is a great thing to have, and if you can handle it well, it can be the best thing you will ever achieve. Make sure you take advantage of it and do what you want with it. Because, while having kids and getting married is great, it will take away some of your independence, so enjoy it now while you have all of it.

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