Camping with a Roof - The First Stage

Okay, before we go too much further, I'd like to stir a bit of reality into the situation of leaving home.

Most people when they envision their life away from parents see themselves in a nice house or a fully furnished, electronically decked-out apartment. 

Yes, that will almost certainly happen. Afterwards. After you go through a phase I like to call "camping with a roof."

Let's face it. Parents have had 20+ years on you to slowly accumulate nice things. Things that make life plush and comfortable. Sound systems, good toothbrushes, expensive vacuums, the array full kitchen gear, couches and armchairs.

When you first move out though, you'll probably have some hand me down silverware and some clothes, books and music. Maybe a cooking pot if you're lucky.

I'm going to say this in bold because this is what immediately cripples most First Flighters I see:

Please please please PLEASE do not rack up credit card debt in the first month trying to make your new place as comfortable as your parents'.

In the first place, it won't happen. Even if you had a few thousand dollars of credit, it won't be as comfortable. They've got years on you to build comfort. You'll get there too, but do it slowly, so this isn't a disaster. I'm being honest when I say that too much debt too fast is the way most people crash. And what good is that waffle maker going to do you when you're right back at your parents, trying to pay off hundreds of dollars of debt, listening to them scold you and sigh?

In reality, humans are very sturdy. There isn't much we need. It's not comfortable, but think of the first year or so as camping, and it'll be easier.

In the next post I'll talk about the bare minimum necessities (speaking from experience) to acquire while building an emergency fund. You will need money unexpectedly. Which means it's not really unexpected ;P So might as well plan to have some cash on hand when Murphy visits.