Good Tips for MOVING OUT on your own for the first time???

Question

I am 23 and in the beginning of 09 will be moving out of my parents house. I am interested in hearing tips on the move? Things to do and not to do. I will be looking for an apartment in a private house and not a complex. Any good tips? Please Help. And if you answer... Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Prioritise your bills first before buying your wants. From the moment you get your salary, have envelopes with Electric Bill, Phone Bill, Grocery, etc written on them then put the amount of money needed on each envelope.

Have a refrigerator and a microwave. If you have a busy schedule, you can cook on a Sunday for a week-long home cooked meal.  Put them on the freezer and just heat them when you want to eat them.

Answer 2

Wow, very broad question...

1. Don't trust moving companies. Make sure you check one out really well or just have some friends help and pay them with pizza

2. Start working on a budget. Look at your monthly income and try to estimate your monthly expenses. Expenses include:

rent

car payment

car insurance

car upkeep

food

clothing

utilities

3. Once you know how much apartment you can afford, then you start looking. Make sure everything is in writing when negotiating an apartment. Make sure to find out how much the security deposit is. If pets are issue make sure to find out about that. Here are things that you should have in writing:

The lease term

The rental payments and how to pay rent (mail, in person, etc.)

Who is responsible for maintenance, landscaping, repairs, electric, plumbing, etc.

How and where to receive mail- can you receive it there or will you have to get a PO box? Is there someone who will accept packages when you are not home?

Common area and amenities that you have the right to use

Security and privacy- when and under what circumstances the landlord may enter your area. Security locks.

The condition of the living space on move-in: stains, broken items, etc.

What parking is available and whether a sticker is required.

Guests, especially overnight guests

Answer 3

don't go out to eat. learn to cook a few things. Make sure you pay your bills BEFORE you spend your money on non-essential items. It sound obvious but a lot of people a lot older than you are still doing it backwards and can't pay their bills.