What you need to know before moving out on your own

You have just graduated from college, or you have just gone through a nasty divorce, or it could be a number of life changing events that have made you want to move out of your parent’s home to live on your own. Here are eight tips, which should help you stay focused on your goal of moving out on your own in an reasonable amount of time, and making yourself independent and self-sufficient. Tip #1 You are grateful and not sure what the future holds for you, so you don’t want to discuss a little thing called ‘details” before you move back in with your parents, but you must. Sit down and ask your parents a number of questions, “How long do they expect you to stay with them before you move out? Do they expect you to contribute to the rent or bills? If so, how much? What do they expect you to do around the house? Do they want you to buy your own food or not? I would even go so far as to suggest writing it all down in a type of “contract.” It is important to be flexible, but making sure that everyone is on the same page is even more important. Besides, having things written down tends to make a person concentrate on their goals more. Tip #2 Make a contingency plan. If you are going to or have just graduated from college, then I am sure you have already started seeking employment. But what if you are still looking for your dream job months after graduation, what then should you do? You would know what to do because you have a contingency plan that answers questions like, what will I do if I have not found my dream job in four months? If I need a part-time job, where would I find one? Would I be willing to take a job I don’t like? Tips #3When you are able, start saving some money. Ideally, you will need an average of about Rwf300,000 put away before you are able to move out. For some people it might be less. Obviously, you won’t be buying much, but it would be enough to get you started until your next paycheck. Tip #4 Know how much you can afford to pay for an apartment and start looking for one even before you have saved enough money to move out. Look in your newspaper’s rental section, and ask friends about places that you think you can afford. Why do this? To keep yourself focused, and remind yourself that you don’t want to get too comfortable, and that you need to be on your own as soon as possible. Tip #5 Don’t let your parents pay for things that you need. Meaning, don’t let your parents purchase your food, grooming items, or pick up a bill if you can take care of it yourself. You want to be as independent as possible even before you move out. Tip #6 Find ways to create more money like writing, working at a restaurant, buying merchandise at thrift stores, fixing them up and selling them off again. Then put aside that money for moving out. Tip #7 Open a savings account, if you have not already done so. A savings account will help you keep track of your money better, which is a habit you want to cultivate. Tip #8 Be consistent with all the steps mentioned up above. Once again, stay focused and don’t get too comfortable because that can make you passive and give you a sense of false security. Also do something every day that will help you reach your goal of moving out on your own. If you are unemployed, volunteer at a charitable organisation so that every day you have somewhere to go and something to do. Lifestyle: associatedcontent.com