Highschool graduation rolls around a lot faster than expected.. Well not really. Those were a long 12 years of waking up at 6am and being stuck in school until 3PM. If you were into sports or clubs 3 got pushed back to 5. If you were a bus rider that put you home at 6-7 depending on where you lived. Boy, did we think we had it rough. Little did we know adulting doesn't include a vacation every 9 weeks of school or half-days on Wednesday's every other week or a summer break (unless you're really blessed) or the right to 9 unexcused absences a semester. Highschool graduation rolls around and some of us go off to Universities, some of us go off to find jobs, and me? Well I went the good ole community college, work, and live with my parents route. And boy oh boy do I wish I would have stuck with that route. But you can't get wise without a few mistakes right? Of course this do/don't list is not applicable to everybody. I'm open to conversation on whether you agree with my list or not. I would love to hear everyone's moving out experience as well! Hope you enjoy my crazy list.
Xo,
Valerie Ann
Xo,
Valerie Ann
Step One:
Bringing up the idea to your parents. Who have told you plenty of times: "Focus on school. HONEY WE GOT YOU"
DO: Be ready to answer a multitude of questions
When? Where? How? Those were the easiest for me. I had a steady job. I was pretty good with my money. My credit was good. I already had done all the apartment research and had narrowed it down to a few. The harder question came after because I think they realized I was being serious. WHO? If your answer is a boy like mine was Good luck! And my advice is: DON'T! But if you do anyway get ready to get lectured for about an hour if you're parents are anything like mine.
Bringing up the idea to your parents. Who have told you plenty of times: "Focus on school. HONEY WE GOT YOU"
DO: Be ready to answer a multitude of questions
When? Where? How? Those were the easiest for me. I had a steady job. I was pretty good with my money. My credit was good. I already had done all the apartment research and had narrowed it down to a few. The harder question came after because I think they realized I was being serious. WHO? If your answer is a boy like mine was Good luck! And my advice is: DON'T! But if you do anyway get ready to get lectured for about an hour if you're parents are anything like mine.
DON'T: Don't pretend that you're moving out because you have it bad at home or because you're tired of your parents. If that is the case keep it to yourself. They've spent 18 years loving and caring for you. You're only 18 maybe one day you'll understand their ways, but for now it doesn't matter. Remember, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. I used the word independent a lot. But if that was the case I would've been moving out alone.
Step Two:
Okay, you don't have your parents approval but you have their support. Now it's time to save money, sign contracts, and plan.
DO: Find a reliable roommate if you can't afford rent + groceries by yourself.
DON'T: Don't move in with somebody who has lazy habits. It will drive you insane and it speaks to their work ethic. You'll find yourself like me: 2 months into a 1 year lease supporting you and your roommate.
DO: Do your research. You don't want to move into something affordable in a really bad neighborhood. If you can't afford something safe you're probably not ready to move out.
DON'T: Don't let anyone pressure you into something you're not comfortable with. My biggest regret is signing a year lease instead of a 6 month lease just because the person helping me said I could get $15 off my monthly rent. PS: NOT WORTH IT.
DO: Once you figure out what your rent would be and what your deposit (if you have one) will be, it's time to save. My advice is to save your deposit in ADDITION to 3 months worth of rent. Emergencies do happen. Your car might break down. Your job could cut your hours. Your roommate could flake. In my case: You will get in a car accident, you roommate will lose their job, you will lose hours at your "steady" job, you will get laid off, and you will feel like you're drowning, you will max out your credit card, and then you WILL be stoked you listened to me.
DON'T: Do not rush. If you have plan it is okay to set your move in date 6 months down the road.
Step 3:
Oh man, you've made it this far and you still want to move out? Yep, you're as stubborn as me. Now it's time to move. Here come all the don't....
DON'T: If you live in AZ or anywhere like AZ don't set your move in date for JUNE! Especially if you're on the third floor!!
DO: I know you're excited, but you DON'T have to move in on your exact move in date. If it lands on a day during the week it gives you time to move in slowly! My move in date was on a Friday. My mom and I moved in the little things that night. We set up the bathroom and my closet. And we left all the big stuff to my ex and my dad. Well.. mainly my dad. (I promise I'm not making any of this up)
DO: Set boundaries. I think it's a little bit easier to set boundaries with a roommate than it would be with a BF/roommate. But it has to be done. Especially if you're in school and working. Parties in your living room while you're in bed trying to get 6 hours of sleep before your 8 hour shift at work followed by your night classes is not the bizzzz.
DON'T: Don't get into the habit of eating out. It's such a hard habit to break once you get started. I would eat Taco Bell at least 3x a week. I don't know how I wasn't obese. Try to make good habits. Bed time. Cleaning. Eating at the table. Etc. Etc.
DON'T: Don't hide anything from your friends or family. I know you're on your "own" now, but if you're feeling depressed or scared let someone know. Adults admit to mistakes all the time. It is OKAY to say: I shouldn't of done this. I made the mistake of being way too prideful to ask my parents for help to break my lease or to help me get out of the situation I was in.
DO: Make time for your family and your friends. Don't make yourself a stranger.
DO: This is a BIG one for me. Decorate for the holidays. It'll make your house/apartment feel more like your own home. I was really sad around the holidays because I wasn't at home with my family. But inviting them over after I had decorated my house with a Christmas tree and watching movies with them, I felt so so so much better!
Stay Tuned For: Moving back in: The Do's and mainly the Don'ts.
