Things You'll Need:
- Paper & pencil
- Your new adult ready and willing to listen to your sage advice
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Step 1
Encourage community participation by volunteeringDiscuss Their Option - Many graduates want to take the summer off and or postpone going back to school in the fall. Under the current economic conditions, frankly, they may have no choice (particularly if your city, town or state is highly and negatively impacted by the economy). So suggest volunteering.
Volunteering is not only a great "get involved in your community" motivator, it also looks good on a (very slim) resume. Your local library, recreation center, newspaper, television station (though they usually "intern" current college goers) are all potential places to start. Assisting at shelters, food banks, etc., should also be considered. -
Step 2
Reality check! Writing down what everything costs is well worth the time to prove your pointTalk To or Continue Your Discussion About Budgets - Nothing is more shocking to most young adults that finding out the true cost of just living and breathing. While many scout for a new apartment (without a job), even teaming up with a friend or two might not be a reality in the current economy. While your up-until-a-bit-ago "child" may have had some indications here and there on the cost of things, a real sit down with pen and paper and costing out their new (and as yet unrealized) life is truly eye opening.
Remember to include every little detail you, as the adult, know they will need to cover. Some of these items include:
o A car payment
o Car insurance (omg don't get me started!)
o Gas
o Car maintenance (oil changes, smog, etc.)
o Rent
o Utilities
o Food
o Money for tuition
o Money for books
o Alternative means of transportation
o Establishing credit without going into debt to do so.
The list is much larger, but to give you an example, around here you could get a decent apartment for about $500. However, the car insurance for an 18 year old male will run almost $400 A MONTH (and that's if you have great insurance like we do and keep your son or daughter on your own policy - I have no idea what they would be required to pay on their own). Almost equal to rent. -
Step 3
Propose Options - At the moment, finding summer work or permanent placement is a challenge and nightmare just about everywhere. However, Temporary Agencies are a great alterative! Consider suggesting they sign up for temp jobs be it whatever comes available. Have them kick in a bit toward food (so they become use to paying some bill(s)) and hoard the rest. They are going to need it.
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Step 4
Online courses may be your best option for a wide variety of reasonsRemember What You Pursue Need Not Be The Ultimate Goal - Starting out with an Associates degree or tech school training gets you into the job market easier than the kid who graduates but never goes any further. Stress continuing education - yes even if they have to live with you for a few more years. Once they are gone, they are gone - so enjoy them while you can!
FAFSA applications for financial aid (go directly to their website you should never pay a fee for this!), general grants, and small loans if need be - if you're like the average family you may have put off and now think it's too late. It's not. You can start the process at any time (and btw for ANY age - yourself included). Just grab as much "free money" as possible if your household is strained or about to bust - or heck even if you can afford it. Aid is there, pursue it.
Also keep in mind on the list above "car insurance." If you just won't be able to swing a new driver on your policy (and they sure as heck won't be able to do it themselves if you're middle income or less), remember plenty of colleges offer online courses. If you stay "in state" the costs are much lower for residents. -
Step 5
Freelance, establish yourself online for future employersScout Freelance Positions Online - Encourage him or her to establish themselves online. Starting a blog is quick, fairly painless, and a great way toward becoming "search engine friendly" for potential employers. Who knows they might even become the next overnight millionaire (don't hold your breath but they just might get lucky) and put you all on easy street).
The long and short is sit down and have a reality check talk with your newly turned adult. He or she may roll their eyes now, but they will be blessing your soul in the (very near) future.
Comments
edieness said
on 7/16/2009 What a fabulous article to have written. I will need to use this advice soon enough. Nice work.
oimdiane said
on 7/6/2009 Thanks Rockney!
Rockney said
on 7/6/2009 Great information! 5*!
oimdiane said
on 7/5/2009 Thanks rockymtngrma! Had the opportunity to speak to my son's friend (lives right next door) to see what sort of plans he was making. While he had "ideas" the poor thing is in the same boat/mess as many. And, I'm not sure his parents are cluing him in... hit him like a ton of bricks mentioning car insurance alone. He'd never even considered that... So many things we take for granted until suddenly we are the "responsible adult."
rockymtngrma said
on 7/5/2009 Good suggestions for any family with teenagers. They need to start thinking of these things long before they graduate from High School. Times are tough enough when you are somewhat prepared--impossible when you aren't.