8 Things You Need to Know before Living on Your Own ...

This is by far one of the most important things to know before living on your own. You can dream up the perfect budget, but it’s almost guaranteed that there will be expenses you haven’t planned for. When I first moved, my toilet flooded. The landlord easily fixed it, but my complete stock of toilet paper sitting on the floor was rendered unusable. See what I mean?

You’ve scoured the Web and found the perfect pad – and the price is right. Right? Maybe not. Keep in mind that in addition to rent money, you’ll need to put down a security deposit. Your landlord may also request a cosigner for the lease. And since most apartments come unfurnished, you’ll have to move in with your own furniture. I’d recommend that you start saving sooner rather than later.

In terms of things to know before living on your own, reading the legally binding document you’re about to sign may seem like a no-brainer. But in the age of skimming, it can be tempting to sign your name and be done with it. Just know that if you break your lease, you’re going to have to pay up.

Chances are, you’re going to have to share your dream abode with someone else. You should get to know any potential roomie before signing a lease. In college, one of my roommates spoke to her dog over Skype (at 3am!). Do you really want to deal with that until your lease is up?

Yet another important thing to know before living on your own is that you can’t take every single memento from your parents’ house with you. It’ll just leave you with more work and zero space once you make your move.

Here’s a little unpleasant thing you need to know before living on your own: everything gets dirty really quickly. You will be responsible for washing your dishes, doing your laundry, dusting, sweeping, mopping, cleaning toilets, etc. I’ve invested in Clorox wipes… and heavy duty rubber gloves.

There’s no better time to take a few tips from grandma! When you have rent and bills to pay, you’re most likely going to be a bit strapped for cash. Whipping up your own meals will help, but only if you know how to cook something other than pasta. So do your thighs a favor and follow a few healthy recipes.

Before I moved, I stocked up on food, silverware, and other home goods. But when I started telling friends and family members that I’d finally made the big move, many of them offered me housewarming gifts. Put your cash away and let the presents pour in!

These are a few of the things you need to think about before living on your own. Which of these tips surprised you? Do you have some pointers of your own?

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