Survive living solo with these life hacks

Solo living can be hard and lonely. But when you learn to live independently, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences in your adult life. Moving out and living on your own won’t only make you self-reliant, it will also make you learn more about yourself and your life priorities. Here are some tips and tricks to survive this #adulting move.

1. Cleaning tools are your new BFFs.

The first thing you’ll learn after you move out is the house doesn’t clean itself. It can be hard to clean your own place now if you were not used to doing it before. But hey, we all need to start somewhere! First order of business: Have the right cleaning supplies and tools. Make sure you have: mop, broom, paper towels, trash bags, sponges, scrubs, and cleaning agents. They’ll make cleaning up easy and effortless. We’re not fans of housework either, but there’s always that feeling of satisfaction coming home to a place that’s clean and tidy.

2. Prepare food ahead of time.

Cooking for one can be a drag and time consuming when you’re living alone. What you can do is prepare your meals ahead of time and just put them in the ref. For instance, you can cook several pieces of grilled chicken and just use different kinds of veggies and sauces with it. You can also prepare tuna salad use it as sandwich spread for breakfast and dip for movie night snacks. We suggest leaving pasta, cooked in bulk, in small, resealable bags in the freezer and have several bottled sauces like pesto or ragu in your pantry. Just nuke the pasta in the microwave with the sauce when it’s mealtime. Faster than instant ramen!

3. Get multi-purpose furniture.

Your new home now that you’re living solo will not likely be as roomy as you’re family home. But there are ways to make small spaces work. Buy furniture that are virtually like Swiss army knives, which you can unfold when you need it and fold and tuck away when you don’t. We also love multifunction items like the Ikea Frosta stool. It’s light, durable, stackable, and aesthetically pleasing. You can use it as guest chair, step stool, or side table depending on the occasion. If you have a studio apartment, consider having a sofa bed to save on space. Just make sure it has sufficient back support for your nightly slumber.

4. Design for living.

Don’t be afraid to make your solo space an extension of your personality. Express yourself on your furnishing and interiors. But keep in mind that design should supplement your lifestyle and not alter it. For example, if you don’t like inviting people over, don’t buy those cute ottomans that will just clutter up your space no matter how much you like it. Function first before design! For those working from home, make sure there is still a boundary between your rest area and home office space. Consider, too, the background when doing video calls.

5. Set a budget and stick to it.

Lastly and most importantly, set up a budget. Now that you’re living on your own, you’re responsible for all household expenses—electricity, water, cable, internet, food, grocery, house payments, repairs, etc. So spend on necessities, set aside for emergency, save up for the future, and allot for luxuries. Do that and living solo won’t be so bad!