Here are easy tips to move out of your parent's house.
This post gives you the best tips to help you move out on your own.
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Moving out of your parent's house is a huge milestone! Nothing is more exciting than renting your very first apartment.
Making sure you're properly prepared will be the best decision in this transformative chapter of your life.
Before I moved out on my own for the first time I was so anxious and improperly prepared. If I had taken the right actions I would've had a better moving experience.
Organizing moving plans can be extremely overwhelming and it isn't easy to know what to focus on first. From navigating finances to embracing newfound freedom, there's much to consider when taking this step.
Let's look at nine invaluable tips to help you navigate this transition as smoothly as possible, so you're well-prepared for this exciting chapter.
EASY TIPS TO MOVE OUT
1. Examine your expenses vs. your income
The most dreaded step! (in my opinion) Take a look at your payment history. What is coming in and out of your account?
Is that streaming subscription worth it anymore? Do you really need to go to McDonalds 3 times a week? How often do you shop online?
Treating yourself is fine, but make sure you limit it to once or twice a week.
It’s time to really buckle down and budget. Cut down on your spending!
We don’t realize how useless the things we spend our money on are until we are forced to look at our spending history.
Cutting back and saving will leave more money to spend on your big move.
Downloading an app to make it easy for you to go through your transactions is a good way to cut back on time.
My favorite FREE apps to budget and look at spending are Mint and Goodbudget.
2. Contribute to your emergency fund
If feasible, save 3 to 4 months of rent. This is extremely helpful if you’re moving out without a secure job in place.
You never know what could happen (even with a secure job!), and you want to have a just-in-case fund for the months you may be out of work.
Set aside money for unexpected issues or accidents. It’s so important to always expect the unexpected.
I recommend opening a high-yield savings account!
A high-yield savings account typically pays up to 20 to 25 times the national average of a standard savings account!
You may be able to open a high-yield savings account with your current bank, but the highest rates are typically only offered by online banks.
Set aside a percentage of every check you receive in your savings account before you even touch the money.
Consider picking up a side hustle to solely fund your savings and investments.
3. Get rid of the clothes and items you’ve been hoarding
Cleaning out your room while you’re at your parent’s house will make packing for your move so much easier.
We tend to keep so many items we no longer use, and they take up unnecessary space.
Selling items will help to free up space and you will also make a bit of money on the side. For selling items I recommend Depop, Facebook Marketplace, Offerup, or Mercari.
To sell as fast as possible take good photos, offer a discounted price, respond quickly to messages, and stay active on the platform every other day.
When selling an item in person never go into their homes, always make sure it’s in a public area (gas station, malls, etc.)!
Make the exchange near people, and it would be even better if you can find someone to go with you.
Donating items is another way to get rid of anything that isn’t in good enough condition to be sold.
You can donate to friends, family, and homeless people in your area, or look for local shelters.
4. Gather essentials and collect hand-me-downs as early as possible
Start with buying the more important essential items for your bedroom, kitchen, and living room.
Find boxes to place them in & make sure you write what room each box belongs in on top of it.
This article has the best in-depth list of items you’ll need in your new apartment.
Don’t stress out if you cannot get everything before your move. The point is to keep a well-thought-out list before you move.
You will build your perfect space over time, most people won’t have their place decorated perfectly in the first year! It takes time to build a comfortable place.
Some great stores to shop at for items are Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Homegoods, Crate & Barrel, IKEA, West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Wayfair.
Ask your family and friends for hand-me-downs.
If your loved ones want to give you apartment-warming gifts send them some essential items on your list!
5. Have a steady income and good credit
Make sure you have a job lined up for you or a predictable income.
If you haven’t applied for jobs around the area, that’s something you should prioritize now. Some companies will even give you a relocation bonus!
If your job is giving you a relocation bonus make sure you’re only spending that towards your actual move. Don’t spend money on unnecessary items.
If you’re a self-employed individual like me, make sure you get in contact with your accountant.
Providing tax returns or bank statements is your best bet for getting an apartment while self-employed.
If you’re looking to buy a house focus on building your credit.
To qualify for the best loans a 740+ credit score is the best. You can qualify with a score between 580-620 range.
If your credit score needs some work here are some quick tips:
- Check your credit report for errors
- Don’t acquire new debt
- Don’t close credit accounts
- Set up auto-pay for anything linked to your credit
- Pay down credit card debt
6. Consider finding a roommate to speed up the process
You don’t have to move out of your parent’s house alone!
Moving in with a roommate is a great way to adjust to a new environment. It can make the transition to moving out so much easier!
Living with a new person forces you to look at your cleaning and cooking routine.
It teaches you how to set boundaries with other people.
Having a roommate also allows you to cut back on rent.
Ask your friends or family members if they would like to move with you to your new place!
It is so much better living with someone you are already familiar with.
If you can find anyone who would like to move in with you consider looking online. Facebook groups and Bumble BFF are great tools to find a roommate for your new apartment.
There are so many positives to having a roommate, so don’t feel like you have to navigate your new life by yourself.
7. Hire a moving company or rent a truck
After you’ve planned out your purchases and mapped out finances, you need to hire a moving company.
If you can get friends or family to help you move that’s a great way to cut back on spending.
For my move I looked up local moving companies in my area and compared the quotes of each company.
I went with the place with the highest reviews and the best price. If you’re not moving any furniture your costs will be significantly lower.
Create a list with the company’s names, reviews, and quotes to effectively compare companies!
You can also find companies that will allow you to rent a truck for a few days.
This is so much cheaper than hiring a moving company.
8. Create a moving checklist
It’s time to plan your move step by step! Make a Google Doc that has all of the information you need for your move.
Where you will live, what all of your bills look like, and the total cost of starter furniture and utensils.
Take your time when furnishing your new apartment. Don’t feel like you have to rush to buy everything as soon as you move in.
For most people, it takes months or even years to decorate and furnish their apartment completely.
As long as you have the essentials to function day to day, all of the rest can wait.
Save a list of items you plan on buying when you’ve saved enough money.
Here is a simple moving-out checklist that can help you out:
- Bed (bed frame, mattress, sheets, pillows, etc.)
- Clothes storage ( hangers, dressers, etc.)
- Living room furniture (dining table, sofa, chairs, etc.)
- Bathroom essentials ( cleaning supplies, toilet paper, towels, soap, and shower curtain.)
- Kitchen essentials (cleaning supplies, dish soap, cookware, utensils, etc.)
9. Move out and Celebrate!
After you’ve applied all of my best tips to move out, you can finally celebrate being in your new place!
Once you’re settled in give yourself time to explore the new neighborhood!
Check our regular restaurants and local shops.
Stepping out of your parent’s house is a giant step towards your new life.
It can be nerve-wracking, but extremely rewarding.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, lean into the support system you already have!
This post listed the best tips to help you move out on your own.