Someday, you’ll move out. Someday, you’ll say goodbye to your parents and siblings and finally embark on the great journey that is the rest of your life. It will happen.
But, unfortunately, it won’t happen now. Here you are, living with your parents. You never thought you’d end up here, and at times it definitely gets tough.
As long as you know how to properly act like an adult while you’re home, you can keep the peace while enjoying a temporary place to stay. Here’s how:
Set a Budget
Part of transitioning into adult life is figuring out how to manage your money. If you don’t have a steady job, this is paramount. Don’t hold back from spending money on essentials like food and household items, but don’t blow it on something silly.
It helps to keep your financial data in a visual space, such as an Excel spreadsheet. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can save up another grand to throw at your debt or loans.
Budgets not only get your money where it needs to be, but they also motivate you to become better at saving money.
Keep Searching for Jobs
Just because you’re living at home doesn’t mean you can kick back like the glory days of high school. You do, in fact, have homework: finding a job that will pay enough for you to move out.
There are tons of websites that will help you get interviews quickly and easily. Try these:
- CareerBuilder
- Monster
- Indeed
- SimplyHired
Buy and Cook Your Own Food
Remember all those years spent eating gorgeous home-cooked meals? The roles are reversed now, friend. The least you could do is prepare your own meals, or at least buy the food necessary to do so. When it comes to food, your goal should be to eat like you don’t eat there. That means letting your parents carry on as they normally would and paying for the things only they need.
Extra brownie points: cook a meal for your mom and dad.
Do Your Own Load of Laundry
This is probably something you learned to do in college or even before, but if not… how have you been living in dirty clothes for that long?
Anyway, don’t expect your parents to be picking up and washing your clothes anymore. If there’s one task that is totally an adult thing to do, it’s doing a load of laundry.
Stay Active
Try to get some exercise on a daily basis, whether it’s going to the gym, riding a bike, jogging, lifting, or something else that fits your style.
Not only will staying active make you feel better and more alert, but it will also get you out of the house. And it’s a given that you’ll probably want to leave the house pretty often, before your parents go into nag mode.
Help Around the House
Duh. You grew up here for how long, 18 years? Maybe more? Think about all those back-breaking years your parents spent raising you. All those endless hours of screaming when you were a baby, all the years of helping with homework and kissing boo-boos… it’s time you paid your fair share.
If you notice that your parents have copious amounts of chores to do around the house, volunteer to help. Vacuum the floors. Mow the lawn. Walk the dog. Do the dishes. Your parents will be grateful that you care for them and want to help.
Take Care of Your Space
You’re probably living in your old room or a room that your parents cleared out for you. The adult thing to do is keep it clean and pay for whatever you need to keep it that way.
Buying your own household items, however, may come as a bit of a shock, especially if your parents always supplied these things for you. “Household items” include towels, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, bed sheets and clothes. Knowing how to look for the best quality essential items is something you need to be aware of, as well as something that will even impress your parents!
Let Them Be Aware of Your Social Life
It probably won’t be a joyous situation when your parents discover your significant other has been sleeping over, or your friend keeps chugging Cokes from the fridge.
Make sure your parents are okay with, or at least know, that someone may be coming over. It is their house, and when you’re under their roof, you abide by their rules.
Living with your parents when you’re oh-so-ready to just get out and live is hard. But if you know how to act like an adult around them, it will make your time home much more relaxed.
