Moving out of your family home for the first time is exciting. You gain a sense of independence, and no one can tell you what you can or can't do. While you get to be in charge of yourself, living independently also means more responsibility. You're now responsible for your finances, furnishing and cleaning your home and staying on top of things like organisation.
Before you move out for the first time, there are some things you should consider.
The hardest part of moving out for the first time is that you are responsible for financing your own life. Before you move, you need to create a budget so that you know you can afford to pay for your lifestyle. You have to pay for more than just rent. Your monthly expenses will include food, electricity, water, internet and other home essentials.
Your rent should stay within your budget. The general rule of thumb is that your monthly rental should not exceed 30% of your monthly earnings. Whatever is left, you will have to subtract other utilities you’ll have to pay. Having some money saved up for your initial move is also a good idea. Most New Zealand rentals require tenants to pay a bond before they can move in. You'll also need to hire a van or movers plus furnish your new home. Include all these things in your initial moving budget.
It can be tempting to buy furniture, appliances, and electronics and make improvements to your new place all at once to make you feel at home. However, buying brand-new everything isn't the most affordable way to live. It takes time to stock up, decorate and make your new place feel like home.
Prioritize your purchases into two categories: items you need right away (a bed, cooking utensils, something to sit on, vacuum cleaner), items you need but can pick up over time, (television, dining table, coffee table, drawers, washing basket, laundry hamper) and items you want but don't need right away (decorations, artwork, specific gadgets or appliances). This will help you spread your purchases over time and help your budget go further. You'll also give yourself more time to look for second-hand versions of the things you want.
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Whether you are living alone, with your partner, or with a roommate, you should prioritise home safety. If you can, take safety measures like replacing the locks of your new home and installing a door bolt and a security system. It is also important to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as to have a fire extinguisher placed near the kitchen so you can easily access it in case of an emergency.
If you are renting, it is the responsibility of your landlord to install working smoke alarms. Every entranceway and bedroom should have its own smoke alarm.
If you are not used to basic household chores, start learning before you move out. Once you move out you will be responsible for your own cooking, cleaning and laundry. You should know how to do basic chores like sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, and mopping. You should also know how to do your own laundry.
Start by doing your own laundry at home and cooking once a week for your family. Getting used to cooking at home rather than eating out will help you stick to a budget. Meals don't have to be complicated. Get started with some simple one-pot or one-pan recipes.
Before you start living on your own, one hurdle you have to go through first is the actual relocation. This process can be challenging, especially if you are moving alone and it’s your first time. So, make sure to prepare your plan in advance. Here are the things to get ready before your moving day:
Create a checklist of the things you need to do so you can easily keep track of it
Declutter and get rid of the items you won’t be needing in your new home
Gather your moving supplies and pack early and light
Figure out if there’s a need for you to hire movers
You may feel a rollercoaster of emotions moving out for the first time. Aside from the excitement, you might feel sad and overwhelmed. You need to know that it is normal to feel all of those when taking your first step towards independence.
If you think moving your belongings to your new home is something you can’t handle on your own, then consider hiring movers. Start looking for a moving service by using the Wise Move platform. Submit one free listing, and you’ll get competitive quotes from movers all over New Zealand.
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