Moving out of your family home for the first time is exciting and scary in equal measures. It’s your true test of independence, and finally a chance to live the way you want as an adult- without rules or restrictions. You have your own space to decorate how you want, entertain friends and even get your own pets- however it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Moving out of home involves cooking and cleaning for yourself, and paying your own bills amongst other things. And when it comes to finances it can be tricky, most people moving out for the first time are doing so on a really tight budget. Thankfully there are ways to make it work, so whether you’re a young person looking to move, (or you’re in the process of helping your young adult son or daughter through the process) here are some ways to go about it!
Start collecting items ahead of time
In the year or so before you move out, it’s so worth collecting things as you go. Even if it’s only a small thing each week or month, it allows you to spread the cost. When you do eventually move in, you’ll have almost everything you need without having to cough up a load of cash. Start storing things in a garage, shed, spare bedroom or even hire a self storage unit. Write a list, and buy things as you see them when they’re at a good price. Think about cutlery, crockery, towels and tea towels, kitchen utensils, bedding and decorative items. You could even start purchasing things like cleaning supplies, and long life grocery items.
Look for bargains on bigger items
Some of the more expensive things you’ll need to buy for your home are pieces of furniture, kitchen appliances and smaller appliances like a microwave, vacuum cleaner and electrical items like tvs. Search deals and discounts, you might be able to snap up a cheap fridge freezer or a bargain kettle just from keeping an eye on the sales. Buying these things second hand can also be worth considering if your budget is smaller.
Save money beforehand
There are some things you won’t be able to buy until you’ve secured the property you’re living in. Things like curtains and certain pieces of furniture will require you to know what the sizes are. For these kinds of items, aim to have money saved up and ready to go so you can purchase them right away. It saves you from ending up without essential items you need for weeks at a time. Don’t forget to save money for a moving van or moving company too.
There are always hidden costs and extra things that you need when you move into a new place, so having as much as possible before you move (and cash for the rest) means the process will run much more smoothly.
Look for Potential
When you’re looking for properties in your budget, you might get discouraged by what the housing market has to offer. However, one of the tricks to finding a great starter home is to look for potential, rather than reality. Look past the current decor and any minor issues and think about what the house could look like if you took the time to renovate it.
Of course, you shouldn’t invest in a property with any major structural issues that will take a lot of money to repair. Find somewhere liveable and that doesn’t need immediate work. This way, you can renovate the property at your own pace.
Work room by room and bring the house to life. You will add value and make it a more pleasant place to live. Even small changes like installing acrylic splashbacks in the kitchen can make a significant difference.
Alex x
* Collaborative post
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