Things That Didn't Seem Worth The Money Until People Actually Tried Them
I didn't know how much use I'd get out of my Instant Pot or my air fryer until I got them. They totally changed my cooking game and helped me save so much time prepping and cleaning up.
If you were to ask me if they were among the best purchases I've ever made me, I'd have to say yes. And yeah, I will continue to sing the praises of both of these household items to everyone I meet.
These are just two examples of things that turned out to be well worth the purchase, however.
People shared their thoughts with us after Redditor comfortablynumb0629 asked the online community:
What’s something you thought wasn’t worth the money until you actually tried it?
"Paying for..."
"Paying for movers."
CactusCurmudgeon
I like how they can somehow break the laws of physics "How on earth is anyone going to carry that sofa up that narrow stairca... oh wait they've somehow done it already"
"A good..."
"A good shower head. Seriously, once you find the right one, it's worth every penny."
[deleted]
I'll amend it: A good detachable shower head.
Seriously. It's a godsend when you have to clean the bathtub and/or the shower. Just spray, let sit if needed, and rinse with the head. Voila.
"Not being uncomfortable..."
"Good underwear. Not being uncomfortable in the crotch was a 5% improvement to the overall quality of my life. Worth paying twice as much."
buppyu
There aren't a lot of cheap purchases you can make that will improve your overall quality of life by 5 percent but there you have it!
"Owning..."
"Owning my own tools and learning how to build and work on things myself."
kentfrostphoto
I have a little tool box under my sink and believe me, it's always come in handy when I've least expected it.
"A good quality..."
"A good quality mattress."
waffles-n-gravy
This is a big one. A good night's sleep is priceless.
"Good shoes."
"Good shoes. Even a $100 pair makes such a big difference compared to Target shoes."
coldgator
This is so true. I have spent good money on my shoes and I am grateful.
"I thought air fryers..."
"I thought air fryers were overrated then a friend of mine gave me one (she got it for cheap at Costco) and now I use it all the time."
OutsideMembership
Welcome to the club! I love my air fryer! It has saved me so much time and money over the years.
"I used to spend..."
"Running the dishwasher every night. I used to spend an hour washing dishes everyday my whole life because we weren’t rich growing up and the dishwasher uses electricity. I used it for the first time a month ago and never going back. Time is more valuable."
ragingduck
It’s cheaper to use a dishwasher with an eco setting than to wash by hand.
One day I'll have one. One day.
"It's an art form..."
"A drywaller. It’s an art form, and they do it fast. Don’t attempt on your own, even if you think you are a handyman."
BlueJayFan94
Home drywallers say you can do it well or you can do it fast. You probably can't do both. The experts can do both and very much worth it.
"I HATE having my feet touched..."
"Pedicures! I HATE having my feet touched but once I finally broke down and got a pedicure 2 years ago I knew it was over. It so hard to explain but it’s like blissfully painful."
Alarming-Ad9441
I had my first last year and will never go back. It was worth it and I felt so luxurious.
If this thread has given you some ideas on where to spend your money next, consider it money well spent.
Have some suggestions of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!
People Who Moved Out Of Their Parents' Home Before Turning 30 Share Their Experiences
After having grown up inside the protective environment that was your childhood home, the inevitable time to leave and carve out your own path without a safety net can be terrifying.
Emotions can vary–with some people itching to leave their trappings while others terrified of adulting in the real world.
Curious to hear experiences from strangers online, Redditor WallStreetDoesntBet asked:
"People who moved out of the parent’s house before 30, how?"
Most people can't afford to live on their own.
Roommate Is Key
"yeah this exactly. I've never lived by myself, was roommates until I got a serious girlfriend and now fiance. There's exactly 0% chance of me being in the same position I'm in financially if I had been paying full rent all those years."
– lick_me_where_I_fart
Not A Care In The World
"I was 17, we had 4 of us in a ghetto 2bd apt (bunkbeds) we had a beer bong on a lanyard screwed to the ceiling. We'd have keggers, party's every weekend and always had randoms crashing on the floor. Could barely afford to feed myself and pay bills but still not a worry in the world and it was the best time of my life."
– ApprehensiveAd6006
Oh, Josh
"I had 5 in my first place. 4 of us shared rooms. Despite the random brawls over Josh never doing the dishes, it was actually awesome."
– duracellchipmunk
Too Close For Comfort
"6 of us in a punk house the moment I turned 18. I had the walk-in closet as my room and I paid $100 for it. It was absolutely disgusting but I remember it so fondly."
– Theatre_throw
One inconvenience shared by many was the sacrifice of a good, home-cooked meal.
Change Of Scenery
"Just needed a little R&R."
"Roommates and Ramen."
– SudoPuff
The "Wild" Years
"This, lol. I was kicked out at 16 and after couch-surfing for a few months I moved into a studio apartment with 4 other people."
"When I say we were poor, I mean poor - most of us didn’t have jobs. I lived off the worst of the worst food. Knockoff ramen. Dollar store canned veg. Rice and terrible year old pasta."
"It was a wild few years."
– Vetiversailles
Rice For Life
"Or rice. I lived off rice for a full year. Fancied it up by adding some salsa, and then extra fancy by also adding ranch dressing."
"Those were hard times."
– Ok_Opinion_
Having work definitely makes things easier.
Saving Up To Leave
"Started working while I was in school. Got out as soon as I could."
– ReallyIdleBones
Not Much Fanfare
"Yep, moved out for college in 2006. Came back for the summer in 2007, but thereafter I got an internship so I just stayed in the city. Got a job at the same place after I graduated."
"It was never some big moment for me (my parents are fine, just annoying), just a natural progression for me."
– Zerole00
Building A Life
"At 18. Worked in construction. Lived on a couch with 6 buddies in one house paying for college. Bought cheap land during the recession. Then built my own house."
– ReubenZWeiner
Not moving out by choice seemed to be a common shared experience.
High Turnover Rate
"Got kicked out at 14. Finished high school sleeping on friends couches while serving tables. Had a ton of roommates for the next 10 years. At any given time I was living with like 3 or 4 people, it was never boring haha"
– herriotact
Different Parenting
"I am hearing that so many people are actually kicked out in the really young age is well."
"But i am not getting that why parents are so tough because in my country they try to keep them under their wings."
– wowoao
Tough Love
"My friends parents were going to kick him out immediately after he graduated high school simply because 'That's what their parents did when they were his age.' His Dad fully expected him to go out at 18 and buy a house because 'he was able to.'"
"Then his Dad got pissed when my friend did not buy a house and went to live with his uncle instead. Even after his uncle broke down the whole 'Your mortgage is $2200/month with taxes and you expect your son, who works part time at $7.25 an hour to afford a mortgage? With no credit history?'"
"Some parents do it out of tough love. Some parents do it because they shouldn't have had children. Some parents still think the world is the same as it was in the 70s-80s and think minimum wage part time employees can thrive."
– bangersnmash13
Placed Expectations
"My parents didn't kick me out, but there was definitely an expectation for me to be moved out and financially independent at 18. My mother walked into a job as a radio DJ at the age of 18 and then became a journalist with only a high school education a few years later (early 1970s), so she had this expectation that I could do the same. The thought of me being able to do anything like that in the 2000s was laughable."
– pie12345678
Lucky Break
"I walked into a journalism career with only a high school diploma in the late 1990s, but I was well aware of my unicorn status and would never have expected my kids to have the same kind of luck I did."
"That being said, of my kids who are now adults, only one of the three has had to move back home after leaving. The other two have managed to make it work with roommates and busting their ass, just like I did after I got my lucky break."
– ExtantAuctioneer
I moved out of my parents' house because I booked my first professional gig on a cruise ship.
It couldn't have worked out better. I was paid to perform on board in the shows while my rent was already taken care of since I lived and worked on the ship.
I packed one suitcase and traveled the world doing what I loved for about two years. It was the best way to transition into an exciting new chapter in my adolescent life.
What's your moving out story?
Listen ... we're just gonna be totally honest with you.
The answer is "not much" IF loved ones can come too.
Reddit user benharper09 asked
"Americans of Reddit: What would it take for you to consider moving to Europe to live and work there?"
We don't know if this Reddit user is, like, gathering market data or just really wants to know why Americans don't leave - but here's what Reddit had to say.
Whole Squad Comes With
"My wife and I have discussed moving out of the States, but family keeps us rooted. Maybe when the parents have passed."
- JroyBbop
"I used to live in Louisiana and it’s a damn nightmare there but when me and my wife found out we were pregnant in 2020 I decided that by 2022 I wouldn’t be in Louisiana anymore raising my child and we let all our family know. There’s still FaceTime and social media and mailing gifts and all that."
"If they want to see him or us in person then they can travel here but I wasn’t staying in hell so he can be near his family. It’ll be better for him to be somewhere that’s not as damn horrible. I literally had fear for my life from about age 10-33 when I moved. Nothing was gonna make me stay and raise my kid with that same fear."
- PaulblankPF
"This is a big one. Our entire support system is either here in town or within 2 hours away."
- WizardofAud
A Job
homer simpson job GIFGiphy"Um, job opportunities? Europe doesn't let you just up and live there if you want to."
- zugabdu
"Here in Austria we are currently looking for a large number of people willing to work. Austria has around 150.000 job openings that cannot be filled because there aren't enough people."
- benharper09
"I doubt Americans will fill many, particularly with professional jobs requiring a college degree, as salaries tend to be far high over here."
"There are obviously a few exceptions, but as a general rule I don’t see it happening."
- monkey3man
"There are pretty significant differences in cost of living too though, as many European countries have healthcare, childcare, you can actually live in many European cities without owning a car which as I understand it is realistically impossible in the US. Looking at salary v. salary is too simplistic to really compare the buying power you're left with after taxes."
- Randyboob
Are We Even Wanted?
"Do they even want us?"
- Infinite-Hearing-738
"Not if you are old without money. Or young without skills."
- RedditRage
"Yeah. We do. I would welcome Americans with open arms. Though I understand it's hard for most Americans to move to Europe."
- Mrbananacompany
"I mean maybe you personally be okay with Americans moving to your country but your immigration laws are not so amenable."
"It's not that Americans don't consider or want to move to Europe as this question implies, we want to but it's not easy to do legally."
- Infinite-Hearing-738
"We are strongly considering making the move. My biggest concern is the language barrier. I know some people may speak English as a second language but I wouldn’t want to presume."
- GeoffAO2
Pros Over Cons
"Consider yes. Actually moving to one of the many countries with their pros, cons, and immigration policies is a whole other matter. This kind of thing works best for people who are very young, very rich, or have an employer involved."
"Not Europe, but I looked into Canada for a while and the pros and cons ended up convincing me it wasn't worth it for my family."
- Bobanderrs
"For the last few years this has been an annual discussion my wife and I have. The pros just don’t outweigh the cons yet. Burning a huge amount of money to move away from family and friends to be an outsider in a place where seasonal depression would crush me and cold weather issues would be detrimental to my wife’s health issue along with a lower paying job with fewer prospects for advancement in a place where the cost of living is so much more expensive…it always seems like a good idea until we list out all these things."
"That and Canada seems to be experiencing the same issues the US is - albeit on a much quieter level (which to some degree is often more concerning. Trucker convey tried to happen here and it got egged out of existence with them all fleeing. In Canada everyone stood around and just let it exist. For days. And days.) - which make me realize I might be better off staying put. It also seems wrong for me to be the one to up and move when I am white, straight, and in a decent financial position. My vote, my voice, my donations all make a difference for marginal groups that are fighting. We have a lot of friends in the LGBTQ community and being the ones that got to leave would just kind of haunt me."
- zerobeat
Language Barrier
season 10 friends GIFGiphy"Aside from everything everyone has said is language. I took Spanish for 6 years and maybe understand 10%. I took German for a year and can say hello. I did duelingo polish everyday for six months and got nowhere."
"I've accepted its damn near impossible for me to learn a language. I could sell my house to have the money. I could leave my family. But job stability and language...those are my 2 big problems."
- Scarlett-Amber9517
"This is the big one for me. You could go to Germany, Denmark, Norway as a tourist and just speak English. But working a day-to-day job, going to the supermarket and all that, you really need to speak the language to be productive, no matter how patient your co-workers are. (I’m a software engineer)"
- AaronDNewman
"I will say, being in the country helps immensely. I can't imagine trying to learn a language while sitting in the US."
- AKdriving
Once You Understand, It Makes It Hard
"My family are immigrants to the US so know how hard it is to start somewhere new. Also a lot of my family is in the US and I don’t want to miss my nieces and nephews growing up"
- Positpostit
"I am a UK person living in America (have been here ages) - I know my wife and children dont like the way america is shifting, and through citizenship of me and my children I could easily get everyone legally into the UK."
"But... would my (college age) kids want to go there? Would we be able to make friends as near-retirees? Would the (inferior) material standard of living be too much of an adjustment and we would be shivering through the winter wondering what we did?"
"The favorable exchange rate makes it tempting too... but the reality is I think there would be some big personal drawbacks for my family"
- GoodAndBluts
Guarantee Safety
"Being able to guarantee my safety as a practicing Jew."
"I love Europe, have loved my time in Europe, but the track record on that score .....is not great."
- firerosearien
"I feel the same way as a black woman. I'm used to and can often reconize/avoid most of the racism in the US. But it's an entirely different beast in other countries. At my age, I don't think I have it in me to navigate those complexities."
- OG_PunchyPunch
"I can understand this. The problem about saying “moving to Europe” is that Europe has so many different cultures and attitudes depending on where you go."
"Here in the UK, racism certainly still exists but as a mixed race person, I’ve only experienced racism towards myself a handful of times and I personally believe the UK has some really good attitudes to race, especially in London probably the most diverse place in the world"
- HoodedArcher64
Money
The Simpsons Money GIFGiphy"Uhh money."
- [Reddit]
"And help with the paperwork and whatnot. It’s not easy to immigrate to Europe, they’re not really interested in you just arriving."
- TheBimpo
"It can be expensive, long and frustrating but I just did this with a big family and pets about a year ago."
"Particularly thankful today to be "somewhere else" with my teens and twenties daughters."
"All the help you need is on Reddit. Lots of helpful people and resources."
- 50MillionChickens
"You start at the beginning, and learn learn learn. Just like any other thing you want to know. People figure it all out every day, and I am confident you could, too!"
- redditshy
Marketable Skill Or Marriage
"I have no marketable skills that eu countries want. And most don’t accept a lot of what I can do for a work visa. So my best bet to immigrate is marriage."
- Herodotus_9
"Same. No one in Europe wants me, so the answer to OP's question is, "it would take any counry in the EU wanting me."
- wakattawakaranai
"Came here to say this. From the research I've done, the desirable skills for most countries are stem/healthcare/etc. and while it makes sense why that is, not everyone can just up and make a career change to one of those fields."
"That can be expensive or daunting even if you're just doing it to change jobs and stay in the US."
- ingb96
"This. If it was easy/possible for most Americans to move to Europe a lot more of us would be leaving. Even if you ignore the legal hurdles, more than half of Americans can’t afford a $1000 emergency (the most relevant statistic I could find), and probably couldn’t afford to move states let alone continents."
- H_Mc
"I'm married to an eu citizen. My kids are eu citizens. But I still can't get residency until I'm at least conversationally fluent in the language."
-okayyeahsurewhy
AS Long As There Is No Dragons
stop motion horror GIFGiphy"The castles look nice, but the threat if dragons keep me away."
- NeverLickATazer
"That's not much of a problem in Europe, my hometown only got destroyed 5 times by a dragon in 30 years."
- ohara1250
"Did the smith and the cobbler survive the dragon strike? Or did the plague do them in?"
- jojowhitesox
"So you have 'dragon season' like we have Hurricane season and Tornado season. Got it."
- Gr8NonSequitur
"We have sorted that problem in Wales and advertise the fact on our flag."
- mileswilliams
"The dragons you see coming. It's the rats that get you"
- benharper09
You've seen what Reddit has to say, so now it's your turn at the mic.
Americans, what would it take for YOU to head across the pond to live in Europe?
The United States is going through a bit of growing pains, isn't it?
According to these people, yes. That appears to be the move to make.
Reddit user, FrozenChair, wanted to know your reasons for taking off when they asked:
"People who want to move from America to Europe, why?"
The appeal is right there on the surface.
Want more time with your family? Want to pay less for medical care?
Want to eat better food?
Europe.
More Time With The People You Love
"Still trying to get used to my five weeks of vacation. The three weeks this summer with my family was incredible."
"Still having two weeks to spend with them at Christmas, is beyond belief. All vacation is paid vacation."
"And it is standard everywhere. Oh and the two hour lunch, and 32 hour work week."
"I think this is is literally going to add up to years more with my family. Since I think time with my family is the most important thing, this just makes the quality of life here so much higher."
"I don't know if I will ever get used to it. But I love it! Berlin!" ~ witaji
But, Pineapple!
"Because Italy has some of the best food in the world." ~ BlueMysteryWolf
Short. Sweet. To The Point.
"I can walk to all the amenities I need."
"People say what they mean."
"Sh-t works as intended a lot more." ~ _Steve_French_
While not for everyone, there can be a certain level of attractiveness to it because things are already so bad for some people here.
Taking It Easy
"Quality of life - I hate having to drive everywhere in the US, city parks are usually way worse, and my friends thought I was crazy for not wanting to default to spending money as a way to hang out (restaurants, bars, concerts, nail salons, shopping)."
"I know that exists in Europe but there still seems to be more appreciation for the slow life."
"That plus being able to walk more and use public transport, long vacations, better social safety nets…I just feel happier and healthier with that lifestyle." ~ wingswednesdays
Practicing Your Skills Somewhere Less Corrupt
"Because practicing medicine here feels dirty. I was never in it for the money or prestige. I've already started working on my exams to go to the UK."
"There are pros and cons to the way healthcare is handled in the UK, but I'd rather be able to treat a patient and sleep peacefully knowing that I haven't financially crippled someone for life."
"Medicine as a career is much better in the US than anywhere in the world, but I'd rather make much less money and have a clear conscience." ~ Tzanax
There Does Seem To Be A Lot Stacked Against You
"You won't be bankrupt for being sick, your kids won't end up with serious student loans (in most of Europe) or be funneled into a for-profit private prison system."
"Less chance of a maniac shooting you. You aren't afraid of losing health insurance after a layoff/firing." ~ WorldCitzen99
Will you actually do it?
Depends on how brave you are and how comfortable you are with starting over in another part of the world.
Still, the appeal can be too great to miss, isn't it?
Pick Your Battles With The Support You Deserve
"I moved to Spain from the US 6 years ago (initially through a program to teach English, now I'm married to a Spaniard). As much as I deeply love and miss the US—the nature, the food, friends, the VIBE -- I have no plans to move back."
"Healthcare in America scares the bejeesus out of me, especially as I age. I just had surgery on an injury that cost me nothing—I still feel like I'm getting away with murder."
"And the work-life balance is so insane once you see it from the outside. I stopped being able to understand how my mom was slaving away for a company that really didn't pay much for 2 precious weeks of paid vacation a year (and I would describe my family as privileged)."
"COVID really changed my view, seeing everyone in my city dutifully wear the mask even after it's not required, whereas my state in America devolved into a culture war. 'Devolving' is, unfortunately, the best word I have to describe the US in the last decade(s)."
"But I do want to also stress that fascism is on the rise in parts of Europe too, and issues like racism are still around even though it's a different flavor."
"Part of me feels guilty for giving up on America instead of fighting the good fight there. But here I am." ~ sweetest_oblivion
People Explain Activities They've Added To Their Post-Pandemic Bucket List | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
While we've all been cooped up for the better part of two years, many of us have been dreaming up exciting plans for the future. Maybe it's finally time to s...Can't Overlook Castles
"I moved from the US to Germany almost 5 years ago:
-cheaper Uni
-more respect for employees
-sensible gun laws
-affordable healthcare
-more liberal politics
-cool old castles" ~ Ririkkaru
Hard To Argue Facts
"I moved from the US to Europe (Austria) quite some time ago (nearly 20 years). I don't regret it and can't ever see myself moving back to the US."
"A couple of my friends are still trying to figure out ways to move over where. Just a few things off the top of my head regarding why:"
- 5 weeks of paid vacation
- up to 2 years of paid parental leave (including for dads as well)
- no such thing as a copay at the doctor
- price cap on prescription drugs (like EUR 6)
- low crime rate
- more well developed social safety net (ie. less poverty)
- I once spent 10 days in the hospital and needed emergency surgery. My bill: EUR 0.
- Free daycare
- Excellent and well-funded public schools
- No tuition for college
Obviously, make the choice that seems best for you and the people in your life that would have to uproot and move to another part of the world.
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People Share The Best Tips And Tricks For Young Adults Living On Their Own For The First Time
Living on your own for the first time can seem like a walk in the park—you're finally free to do what you want, when you want. But it's not all sunshine and roses, since living by yourself means you have to handle any unforseen crises that come up, and you have to do your own laundry.
Reddit user nebair asked:
"What are some tips and tricks for young adults living alone for the first time?"
Be Prepared
"Plunger and a fire extinguisher are better to have before you need them."
"While you're at it, get a fireproof blanket too. And make sure you have a working fire alarm (there's usually a test button)."
"And a Carbon Monoxide alarm, especially if you have gas anywhere in your place."
"There are different types of plungers for different uses. Learn them and find a store that sells the one you will most likely need."
"Most stores, especially dollar stores, will likely sell only one type. Make sure you know which one you're grabbing."
"Fire extinguishers should have different types, too. Learn what each one is good for what fire. Grease fire from cooking? Candles tipped over?"
"Class A: Solid fires"
"Class B: Liquid Fires"
"Class C: Electrical fires"
"Class D: Chemical fires (think a galaxy note 7)"
"Generally, you should have a few class ABC extinguishers around, as well as a class BC just outside of the kitchen (not in the kitchen or it's not of much use if the whole kitchen catches fire)."
Treat Yourself Right
"Think you're having a relationship with future you. You do nice things to your SO, right? Do the same with future you."
You Really Won't
"You're not going to clean it up later. Just do it now and get it over with."
"Same thing with laundry. If you are thinking about doing it, you have free time to do it. Trust me. You never think of it when there is no time for it. Best to do it then."
"And set a timer so you don't forget about those clothes you put in the washer."
"No one likes coming back the next day to find out your clothes all smell of mildew and you have to start again."
$$$
"Everything is more expensive than you think it is and will only ever get more expensive."
"It's all the little things you don't always think of: paper goods, soap, common food staples, garbage bags, etc. You won't buy them every time you go to the store, but you'll feel the impact when you run out."
Rent First
"Budget wisely, pay the roof down. Rent first, then utilities, then phone, internet etc. But always the roof first."
"There are some great budgeting apps out there that can help with this - they really let you see where your funds are going."
These Actors Seemed Miscast But Absolutely Nailed The Role | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
The Actors Who Seemed Miscast But Absolutely Nailed The RoleFew people bought into the idea of Bryan Cranston in the role of Walter White before Breaking Bad...Meal Prep Is Your Friend
"Meal prep and meal planning are your friends. Not only will this save you money because you won't be wasting food you get at the store but you'll be less likely to order takeout."
"Be prepared for expenses. Try to sock a few bucks away each month for emergencies. Even if all you can afford to squeeze out of the budget is $10/month ... DO IT! And don't touch that money unless it's a legit emergency. Needing pizza/beer money/new video game/new clothes/etc is not an emergency."
"The library is your friend. Borrow books - like cookbooks - to learn new skills and pass the time. Borrow cds and dvds and possibly even video games depending on your local library's stock. It can save you a few bucks here and there and gets you in the habit of being thrifty and socking more money away in that emergency account."
Buying In Bulk Really Helps
"Buy non persihable foods in bulk. Rice and beans go quite far, for example."
"Get a good quality kitchen knife, it makes a world of difference in prep work for cooking. It doesn't need to be exorbitantly expensive, just not some cheapo crap from Walmart or Amazon."
"Set schedules for yourself. It is very easy to get used to lounging around with no one telling you to do laundry or house chores. Keep yourself disciplined, but don't forget to reward yourself too!"
Not Optional
"Cleaning is not optional."
"I found that it helps to create a cleaning schedule--ex. dishes every day, laundry every week, bathrooms every other week, vacuum once or twice a month, etc. And then you ignore the schedule and have to clean like crazy ten minutes before company arrives."
"'Don't put it down, put it away' is a mantra I chant to myself often."
You Never Know
"Get your locks changed in case anyone out there has a key."
"And if you have a garage, reprogram your remote. You don't have to buy anything, just press some buttons."
"You'll need to check with your landlord first as a lot of apartment complexes don't allow you to change locks."
Peace Of Mind Is Priceless
"Get a light by your bed. For some reason, every now and then, I get this crippling anxiety that there's someone in the room when I wake up. It could just be a creak from the wind but once the lights on and you can see there's nothing you can go back to sleep without any worry"
"Get a blinding light pointed toward your bedroom door you can turn on from the bed."
You Never Know When You'll Make A Mess
"Get cleaning supplies before you need them."
"At the very minimum, have scouring powder and dish soap. Most household cleaning can be done with a dilute solution of vinegar and water."
"And there is NO substitute for Formula 409."
Cooking Is Actually Fun, Too
"It's way cheaper to cook at home and get food containers for leftovers than it is to order in all the time."
"And also that you should not tell your neighbors too much personal sh*t unless they become your close friends."
"Oh and don't forget to forward your mail from Amazon, eBay, and the post office, or it's going to take a very long time."
"Same goes for drinking at home. Spend one night's bar tab on a box of wine and a cute set of wine glasses instead, and you're set for a while!"
Bulk TP Is A Good Idea Too
"If you have the space, buy nonperishable items like toilet paper or detergent in bulk."
"I remember the first time I had to buy toilet paper my self I was so bewildered like 'why the f**k is this so expensive'"
"Develop some hobbies and passions if you don't have any yet so that you don't go f**king crazy from the loneliness"
"Yep. Got into piano. Musical instruments make good hobbies. Easy to make both shorter and longer term goals since that's basically just pieces you'd like to play."
"What's super nice is a keyboard/digital piano typically allows you to use headphones so you don't have to worry about bothering the neighbors even if you have thin walls or happen to want to play at 3am."
"Also some sort of media consumption hobby you can partake in while doing boring stuff like cleaning is useful. Podcasts, audiobooks, music etc are great to listen to while cleaning or cooking etc."
Don't Be Afraid To Buy Secondhand
"There's tons of good quality furniture available on Facebook marketplace. Second hand furniture of good quality is way better than some Ikea stuff. And it's usually cheaper too, sometimes free"
"Plus, always search for it in the richer part of towns. You'd be surprised what amazing furniture people throw out."
"Garage and estate sales can have some real bargains. The latter are great if you're looking for hardware and tools."
"Secondhand furniture can have bedbugs. Be wary."
"Agreed. I'd steer away from couches and things like that, but it's great for dining tables/chairs, cabinets, tv units, bookshelves, coffee/side tables, bedframes, etc."
Make Sure To Keep In Touch
"Don't forget to call your mom now and then (or another trusted adult, if you don't have a mom or if your mom is not helpful.)"
Crying Can Be Self Care
"If you want to cry then you need to cry, 9/10 times you'll feel much better afterward."
Always Sleep On It If You Can
"Don't spend more than you can pay off each month on a credit card. Debt is suffocating. Also, if you get the itch for a new car but yours is running fine, rent one for a couple of days and then go back to old faithful."
"If you're unsure about something, sleep on it. Not all decisions have to be made immediately."
Living on your own for the first time is usually equal parts exciting and anxiety-inducing. Hopefully these tips will help you prepare for when things don't go quite to plan, and keep you living comfortably in your new digs.
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