I’ve been “on my own” for about three years now. I still ask my parents for advice regularly, but I’ve also learned things by making mistakes. So I’m helping you out with this list of boring yet practical advice in my short time of adulthood.
Brush up on “legalese” and DO NOT sign anything without reading it. I was able to get out of a lease this way. I discovered a few illegal clauses and pressed my landlord. Needless to say, if you bug someone enough you get what you want. And also, don’t just sign something without reading it thoroughly and actually understanding it. You WILL sign your life away this way.
Leave a paper trail. Keep records of EVERYTHING. Real life scenario: I got pulled over last year because my registration was suspended and I was unaware. Apparently the DMV thought I didn’t have car insurance for 10 days back in 2011, even though I did. So I mailed in my ticket and proof I was innocent…the DMV OF COURSE lost my paperwork. But luckily, I kept copies which made the second round of this nonsense much easier since I moved to a different state.
Iron your clothes. Or at least dry clean them. Wrinkly shirts are sloppy shirts and no one wants to be sloppy. Irons are not expensive and are quite easy to use. Or if you’re lazy, bring your items to a dry cleaner.
Buy nice things (when you can afford them.) That Forever 21 dress will fall apart after a few wears, and that Target clutch will probably break and spill your stuff all over the bar floor (been there, done that.) Good, sturdy and classic items are worth their weight in gold. Buy a few nice, quality items that go with everything and they’ll last a long time. But don’t go crazy. There’s nothing wrong with a good bargain.
Treat yourself. Hard week at work? Hit the mall, and don’t feel bad about it. You’re worth it. But again, don’t go crazy.
