How To Move Out Of Your Parents House in 2021
The push to become independent from your parents starts way before you turn 18. It starts at least several years before that but it’s not until that “magical age” you can actually do something about it.
How To Move Out Of Your Parents House in 2021: You most likely see half of your friends going to college and living in the dorms while the other half is moving out and getting their own apartments.
You have been over their places and have noticed that they don’t have to tell anyone where they are going, when they are coming back home, how long they are staying out if they can have a party, and so forth. The feeling you get is that they have a lot more measure of overall freedom than you do.
Or do they?
It’s more of a mirage than anything. Move out of your parent’s house before you are ready can be a huge setback in the early stages of your adult life and all too often many young people fall victim to this snare only to end up in a world of debt and unnecessary stress.
Have you thought about everything that is associated with getting your own house or apartment? You probably have a job, be it part-time or full time, and you can spend that money currently on whatever you want.
If you want to blow your whole paycheck on the new cellphone that just hit the market, that’s okay. If you want to spend several hundred dollars on clothes, no big deal. But when you move out the situation drastically changes.
These are the total bills that you will be responsible for every month. They include the rent, utilities (electricity, heat, water & sewer, trash), cell phone (bigger expense than most people think), food, cable television, internet, entertainment, car insurance, fuel, and miscellaneous expenses (like car repairs).
These are a lot of bills and I may have forgotten one or two. And again, you are responsible for paying all those bills on time every single month.
How To Move Out Of Your Parents House in 2021
In the year 2021, no matter what the cost of living in your area is, all those expenses will equal at least $1500-$1900. And that is a very conservative number. In several states or cities that number can easily be closer to $2000. Can you afford that?
Even if you have a job that will allow you to pay that amount do you have a cushion every month to account for the unknown? What have been your spending habits thus far while you have been living with your parents?
These are questions you need to ask yourself and think about before you tell your parents good-bye. If you do not then you will quickly be calling them and saying “hello” because you will have to move back within several months.
Think about staying with your parents as long as you can. After you turn 18 most parents will usually not impose overly restrictive rules on you to the point where you cannot have fun.
They will usually not want you to stay out late every night, tell them if you are not coming home, do a measure of the chores, and most of all still be respectful. And the benefits far outweigh the cons even if they are more strict than other parents.
You can be pocketing all that cash you normally would have spent on bills! When you do finally decide to move out you will easily be able to do it, probably have a better job by then, and be more prepared.
When your friends are moving back home at 21 you will be in a prime position to move out. Who will have more freedom than?
How to Move Out of Your Parents House in 2021: The Checklist
- Bed with comforter/sheets
- Trash cans
- Trash bags
- Cleaning supplies and sponges
- Food and water
- Shower curtain
- Area rug (optional)
- Small table
- Lamps
- TV and TV stand (optional)
- Silverware
- Dishes
- Pots & Pans
- Other kitchenware: can opener, bottle opener, colander, et cetera.
- Bathroom supplies: toilet paper, plunger, bath towels
- Sofa
- Blinds and curtains
- Ironing board and steamer
- Microwave
- First-aid kit
- Tools
- Laundry hamper, detergent, and dryer sheets
- Furniture: desk, chair, and dresser
- Last, but not least, consider hiring movers
- How To Move Out Of Your Parents House in 2021
How Much to Save Before Moving Out in 2021
Once you move out, ideally you won’t be moving back in. That’s why it’s so important to start with the question “How much should I save before moving out?”
A good rule of thumb is three to six months of living expenses. (Note: These hypothetical expenses may differ based on the cost of living in your area.)
See below for an example of how to calculate your monthly expenses.
Now, if you add a 10 percent buffer to your $1,500 (which we recommend), your monthly budget comes to $1,650. So before moving out of your parents’ house, you should consider having about $5,000 after paying the deposit on your apartment.
A common mistake people make when budgeting is underestimating how much they’ll need. For example, you may think you can manage your weekends with less than $100. But let’s be real: $100 is not much to work with—it’s just a couple of meals out, a few drinks at a bar and an Uber ride home. And that’s just one weekend!
So rather than creating a budget blindly, we recommend you look back over your old bank statements (as painful as that might be) and record how much you actually spent in the above categories.
That way you’ll have a realistic idea of how much you’ll need to maintain your current lifestyle. You might also realize you’ve been spending a lot more than you thought in certain categories.
Finally, we recommend looking into some budgeting software. Sites like Mvelopes, Mint, and You Need a Budget offer easy, affordable tools for managing your money. Or, if you’re looking for a simpler option, consider using an online budget calculator and then tracking your money manually in a spreadsheet.
Communicate with your parents.
Who wants to sit down and have awkward conversations with their parents or kids? Communication is not easy when emotions are involved, or communication styles vary.
Find the time when everyone feels calm and collected and then consider the following.
Young adults — When you leave your parents’ home, you need to communicate what you want to be saved and what can be donated or discarded. If you need help with money or moving, ask. Try not to demand or expect help your parents may not be able to give.
When you’re young, it’s easy to ignore potential red flags and not deal with them until they are glaring you in the face. The fear of the unknown and the stress of thinking you need to have it all figured out can add considerable weight to the move out process. It’s helpful to know you’re not alone in how you’re feeling.
Parents — Talk to your children and understand what items they’d like saved. Let them know, in turn, how long you are willing to hold onto your child’s possessions.
Be firm (your house is not a free self-storage unit for your grown kids) but be fair (understand they’re moving gingerly into adulthood). Be open about how much you’re willing to help them get set up in their new home.
Find a Realtor
After you’ve determined your budget and saved up enough money for a down payment, start looking for a reputable Realtor. If this is the first time you’ve ever purchased a home, enlisting a qualified and helpful Realtor is especially important.
In addition to a real estate agent’s deep knowledge of the market, they also handle all negotiations and paperwork so you don’t have to. The right Realtor should be able to walk you through the home buying process – keeping your interests, needs, and budget top of mind.
To enlist a top-notch buyer’s agent to show you around, check Realtor.com’s extensive list of local Realtors.
Schedule the movers or enlist friends
Unless you have very little to move, I recommend enlisting either friends or professionals to assist with the move. If enlisting friends for a DIY move, consider renting a moving truck from a reputable company.
If you’re hoping to hire professionals to help with part of the move, consider enlisting labor-only movers to assist with loading and unloading the rental truck. This will most certainly be less expensive than hiring full-service movers to handle the entire move for you.
Mortgage Loan Originator Salary in 2021
Donate, sell or consign items that you don’t need
Have too much stuff? If your closets are overflowing, it may be time to get rid of your belongings before you move. After all, the less stuff you have to move, the easier (and cheaper) your move will be.
Try donating gently-used items to local charities and consigning nicer items to local consignment stores. Also, consider throwing a garage sale or selling belongings via an online marketplace.
Find packing supplies
From boxes and tape to bubble wrap and foam pouches, you’re going to need to find appropriate packing supplies to help with your next move. Fortunately, packing supplies can be found online, as well as at your workplace, nearby libraries, large retailers, and more.
For a list of where to find free boxes, check here. To find out the exact number of moving boxes you’ll need, check Moving.com’s handy Packing Calculator.
Those looking for specific box sizes and shapes may have to resort to purchasing supplies. To find boxes and packing supplies in your area, use Moving.com’s box center.
Pack
After gathering your supplies, it’s time to get packin’! I suggest packing non-essentials (those items you won’t need in the coming weeks) first. Examples are seasonal clothing, knick-knacks, photos, books, etc.
The day before you move, pack essentials, such as toiletries, pajamas, prescription meds, etc, in a separate box that can easily be found on moving day. Make sure to clearly label all boxes and keep important documents with you at all times.
Set up utilities and cable
If you’ve been living with your parents, you’ve been using their utilities. Unless you want to walk into a dark home with no electricity, you’ll need to set up utilities and cable in your new place as soon as possible.
I recommend calling the utility companies early on to let them know when you’ll be moving in. Once you’ve scheduled dates for all utilities to be turned on, you’ll need to call the cable company to reserve an installation date as well.
Change your address
Unless you want your parents to receive your mail, I suggest changing your address ASAP. Fortunately, USPS makes it easy. All you have to do is go to USPS.com and choose the date that you wish to begin forwarding your mail.
Don’t forget to also change your credit card billing address and let your bank know that you’re moving. To avoid confusion, it may also be helpful to send out an email to friends and family with your new address.
Pop the champagne
You did it! After saving your money and packing your bags, you’ve successfully moved out of your parents’ house and into your new place. Congratulations! This newfound freedom was certainly worth every tedious step along the way.
Conclusion:
How To Move Out Of Your Parents House: If you’re living with your parents, you’re not alone. As of 2021, 31 percent of people between the ages of 25 and 35 haven’t moved out on their own yet.
And that makes sense—due to massive student loans, car payments, and humble entry-level salaries—deciding to live with the rents for a few years can often be a smart choice.
However, as we all know, there comes a moment when we must leave the nest—an experience that is admittedly bittersweet. One of the hardest parts, in fact, is gaining the confidence to believe you can make it on your own.
This guide will cover the questions swirling in your mind—about leases, bills, budgeting, and items you might need—as you get started on this exciting adventure.
Good luck and happy moving!
- Communicate with your parents. …
- Develop a move-out plan. …
- Establish good credit. …
- Start saving money for a down payment. …
- Determine your budget. …
- Find a Realtor. …
- Schedule the movers or enlist friends. …
- Donate, sell or consign items that you don’t need.
How To Move Out Of Your Parents House