Are You Ready to Live on Your Own?
Saving & Budgeting
Before you spread your wings and take the leap of living on your own, make sure the ground you’re landing on is safe, secure, and exactly what you expect it to be. Here are a few ways that you can prepare yourself for the realities that come with living on your own.
- Budgets are your best friend. Evaluate your expenses to get a better idea of what you can and can’t afford. Having a budget will also help you understand what you’ll need to pay for while living on your own.
- The rent is always too darn high. Let your dream apartment remain a dream (for now). While we all have a dream of where we’d like to live, the reality is that many of these “dream” apartments are out of our budget. Take into consideration the apartment location, your must-haves, and your spending habits before you sign your name on the lease.
- It’s more than just rent and groceries. You’ll also have think about other expenses such as utilities, cable and internet, parking or public transportation costs, and your everyday household items.
- Save big to win big. You’ll need to save up at least a few thousand dollars to cover one-time expenses such as a security deposit, moving costs, and more. The sooner you start saving, the less stressful your move will be.
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