Essentials - Part 1 - A Roof

When you tumble off the edge of the home nest, you may or may not have time to gather stuff that would be helpful.

If you didn't have time, luckily humans are pretty resilient.We're omnivores, and if you're reading this, the odds are good that every building around you has clean running water. That's a win.

First step is to secure a roof. Maybe crashing on the couch at a friend's place. Maybe you're planning or have already partially moved in with a girlfriend or boyfriend.

If this is the case, I can't emphasize this enough, treat the people around you well. You're going through a chaotic time, but mooching is a sure way to lose a roof. Especially if a job is not secured yet, do dishes, pick up after yourself, ask if there are things you can do. Even if they say "no" out of politeness, please try. They're doing you a favor, so reciprocation is matter of course. Most people give a lot of points for effort.

If you've had a bit more time to plan and already have a steady job, moving into your own place is a more flexible in some ways, harsher in others.

The likelihood is that your first apartment or room in a house with strangers will require down payments on rent and utilities, and steady rent checks, no exceptions. I recommend making sure that rent money is always covered. Of all the bills to be late on, rent is the least desirable option, because it's the first step to having to move. Moving is extremely expensive, even short hops, due to extra down payment requirements. When already cash strapped, it's a bad position to be in.

It's a lot easier to cover rent and find other places to get food. Housing is the hardest of all the essentials to find and keep, so take that into consideration. There's cheap food and free entertainment everywhere in rich nations; it's rent that's expensive and hard.

If you're going the friend/significant other route, you probably won't need a credit check. This option may be your only one for a time if your credit is poor or non-existent. It may be very helpful to discuss what expectations are for duties, and how meals and transport will be taken care of.

If moving to an apartment, the process takes a few days to a few weeks, and requires proof of income and a credit check. The credit check generally costs an extra $20-$45 dollars.

When signing the lease, read everything in the office, and clarify points you may not be sure about, such as pet requirements or keeping plants.

Once in the apartment, budget an extra couple hundred dollars to put as down payments on the utility companies. You generally have to call them and set up accounts and payment methods after you are approved. The front office of the apartment complex will give you the names and numbers of companies to call.

If you've passed all this, excellent job! You have the most expensive and difficult to secure resource secured as long as you keep the agreements.