Moving Out for the First Time
Moving out for the first time is an exciting time in any young adult's life. But moving out isn't just about the excitement and adventure. There are a lot of things to plan for and consider if you want living on your own to go smoothly. We've got you covered. From finding a roommate to remembering to buy a can opener, we talk about what it takes to move out successfully.
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Instructions
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Find a roommate. While you may have seen roommate horror stories in movies or on television, roommates can be great if you can find someone who clicks. Roommates are fun, and can split bills such as rent and utilities, a great way to keep down expenses. Maybe you've got a friend or acquaintance who's moving out at the same time as you are and is looking for a place. If not, there are plenty of other ways to find great roommates. Beyond posting notices on community bulletin boards, websites such as Roommates.com and Easy Roommate help you decide what you're looking for in a roommate and then help you set up appointments with suitable candidates.
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Look for a place. Finding a place when you're moving out for the first time is an adventure. There are so many important things to consider: price range, number of bedrooms, location. If you've already found a roommate, it's a good idea to sit down with him, discuss things and come to an agreement. To find a suitable apartment, look in your local classifieds, contact local property management companies or use a website such as Rent.com or My New Place.
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Choose furniture. You'll probably be able to take your bed with you, but you'll need to look for supplementary furniture to fill the rest of your new house or apartment. If money is an issue, as it usually is when you're moving out for the first time, you might want to check your local Goodwill and Salvation Army stores and stop by a few yard and garage sales. If you frequent a church or social group you may want to ask around to see if anyone has any furniture he's looking to give away or sell for a good price. While used and thrift store furniture won't make your new place look like the Taj Mahal, individually obtained pieces of furniture are fun and give your place character.
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Stock the kitchen. Talk with your roommate and make a list of everything you'll need; don't forget the food! You'll want to look for sets of good, sturdy pots and pans, or buy pieces individually from Goodwill, the Salvation Army and other thrift stores. You can find good, affordable sets of dishes, silverware and glasses at stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target. Things like can openers, potholders and spices are easy to forget but necessary, so make sure they make their way onto your list!
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Buy for the bathroom. Besides the standard toiletries you're going to need a shower curtain, rugs and towels. If there's one thing I recommend for the person who is moving out for the first time it's nice towels. The type of towels you choose can either make or break your experience of living on your own. If you've stayed within budget in all other areas, splurge on the big, fluffy towels!
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Tips & Warnings
It's very important to keep a close watch on your spending when you're moving out for the first time. Keep track of bills and frivolous spending with a service such as Rudder, which delivers free money management analysis to your email inbox.
Don't forget the iron and ironing board!
