5 Essentials If You Are Moving Out Of Your Home!

It’s exhilarating to move out for the first time. It can also be intimidating, especially if you haven’t had much responsibility in terms of living alone before. However, there is a list of things that need to be done in order to make moving out for the first time as painless as possible, in between the thrill of finally getting your own apartment and the dread of having to leave your comfort zone.

The good news is that we’ve all been there. Moving out on your own, whether with roommates or a significant other, is an experience that everyone has to go through at some point. And we all manage to figure out what brand of toilet paper to buy (hint: the more plies, the better) and how to pay our rent on a monthly basis (on time and in full).

Now when it’s your turn, read on for five recommendations to help you overcome your fears, embrace your excitement, and establish your own personal comfort zone while moving out for the first time.

1) First and foremost, determine your financial situation

Let’s begin with one of the most difficult aspects of moving out for the first time: figuring out how to fund your new life. Even if you have a job or student loans to help you out, suddenly taking on the responsibility of not only paying your rent but also stocking your refrigerator, keeping your electricity and internet running, and purchasing all of the household necessities that appeared in front of you before can be extremely stressful.

The first thing you should do is create a budget. To begin, add up the amount of money you’ll be bringing in each month. As a general rule, your rent should be no more than 30% of your monthly salary, therefore if you earn Rs.94,385 per month, your rent should be no more than Rs.28,315 per month. If you spend any more, you can find yourself with a budget that is stretched too thin in between paychecks.

Calculate how much money you’ll have after rent, then remove utility expenditures. Water, electric, gas, internet, and phone are examples of utilities you may be responsible for, depending on where you live and what’s already included in your rent. Find out how much water, gas, and electricity cost each month in your city, and then choose a phone and internet package that fits comfortably into your budget. What’s left will be used for other necessities such as food, hygiene, and transportation. You’ll also need to account for house furnishings in your budget.

Don’t let this procedure discourage you. It can be discouraging to see your budget shrink as you take on more and more obligations that come with living alone, but it’s better to know what you’re dealing with than to overspend and end up in debt.

2) The fundamentals of an apartment:

When you move out for the first time, it’s also your first time decorating your own flat. However, before you put up the Christmas lights, you’ll need to go over your moving out for the first time checklist to make sure you’ve covered all of the essentials. An apartment’s initial fees can be overwhelming, leaving a limited budget for furniture.

Ask your parents if they have any outdated items they’d be willing to give you to help you save money. Consider dividing the cost of other products with your roommates if you have them.

A couch, dishes, and a really good mattress should all be on your first apartment checklist. You won’t be able to acquire everything you want right away, so decide what’s most important to you and prioritise those housing necessities.

3) Determine where you’ll need to make changes to your address:

You’ll need to notify the post office, as well as any companies that send you invoices or other correspondence, as soon as you move to your new address. If you’re moving to a new state, you’ll need to get a new driver’s licence or identification card, as well as renew your vehicle registration if you took a car with you. For information on how to notify others of your new address and who you should notify, read our step-by-step guide to changing your address.

Keep in mind that, among all the commotion surrounding moving activities, budgeting, and roommate hunting, you’ll most likely be experiencing a range of emotions. But whatever you’re experiencing is fine! When you’re moving out for the first time, feelings of sadness, fear of change, and overwhelm are common, and they typically coexist with feelings of elation and eager anticipation. Thankfully, it’s a procedure that everyone goes through.

Talk to friends and family members about how you’re feeling, and you’ll likely get some comfort (as well as someone with whom to share your joy) as well as some more advice for easing the adjustment.

4) Determine whether you want (and can afford) to live alone:

Getting a roommate is an excellent method to split costs and save money. When you’re moving out for the first time, it’s also wonderful to share your living space with someone and have some companionship. However, having a roommate isn’t for everyone. You’ll have to assess whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks (and vice versa), and, more crucially, whether you can afford to live alone.

There are numerous options for finding a roommate. You might look for someone online or through a friend and then go apartment hunting together, or you could look for a room to rent in an apartment that already has a tenant or tenants. In any case, make sure you ask the appropriate questions so you don’t end yourself sharing walls with someone you don’t get along with for months, a year, or more.

If you do decide to live alone, make sure you can do so responsibly and within your financial constraints. If it’s too much of a stretch, consider signing a six-month lease with a roommate and using that time to hunt for a better paying job or extra side work so you can save enough money for a one-bedroom apartment.

5) Anything you don’t want to keep should be left behind:

When you’re in a rush, try not to move anything you don’t really need. It’s quite acceptable if you don’t have time to go through everything you own. Take a few moments to look around and see if there’s anything you can donate, sell, or throw away to help speed up the packing process. If you haven’t used something in the last six months, it’s safe to assume you don’t need it.

> While you’re packing, keep additional bags or boxes on hand in case you find anything you want to donate, trash, or sell. If at all feasible, sell your furniture and heavy appliances. 
> You won’t have to worry about relocating stuff, and you’ll be able to put the money toward new purchases once you’ve settled in. 
> Remember that you can sort through your belongings once you’ve moved in, so don’t worry if you need to just pack everything up and leave.

About FlatMate.in

FlatMate.in is the first app that helps you to search shared room/apartments based on common liking & interests and not just based on usual factors like location and price range. In other words, we focus on the relationship between potential roommates. A study shows if you share apartment with compatible roommate then chances are higher that you would stay longer with each other and will become friends for life.