So let’s say one day you had a eureka moment and thought of living solo. Perhaps this idea has always been on your mind, but you’ve put on hold due to certain reasons. And now, after years of planning and thinking about it, you finally see the green light and hit the gas.
But this is going to be your first time living alone. There are a lot of things that you must know. And while you’ve already asked your friends and family members for tips, it’s still somehow overwhelming. Your excitement turns to fear, and you’re thinking of going back to your slob roommate in that sketchy building.
Here is what I’m going to tell you, living solo is overwhelming, but it is one of the most empowering experiences that you can give to yourself. I can tell you how many times I danced and celebrate after doing seemingly trivial things when living solo. Oh, it’s my first time to change a lightbulb? Heck yeah, I’m going to celebrate!
You don’t have to miss out on funny and amazing experiences due to fear. All of us are capable of living solo successfully. And to steer you in the right direction, let me tell you the three common mistakes that you might do in this new chapter of your life.
Three Mistakes That You Can Avoid:
Mistake 1: Not Planning Out Your Place
Believe it or not, most people have overlooked this factor when it’s their first time living alone. The rush of independence and the power of choosing your place sometimes gets to our logic. The first time I decided to get an apartment on my own, I was so excited. I can finally choose where it is and how I want it to look like.
So many offers in the city are so appealing. Imagine owning those with balconies and apartments that have very spacious rooms. I imagine getting a 2-bedroom apartment, and then I’ll turn the other room into a workplace. However, let me give you the reality check now; you’re on your own. And by “on your own,” I mean you’re not only living solo, but the expenses are only yours to carry.
You have to be smart when it comes to choosing your place. For example, is the location convenient for your workplace and other necessities? Is the neighborhood going to be more expensive to live in compared to another? Before you sign and make up your mind on a certain place, I recommend that you figure out your ideals and budget. This way, it will be much easier to compromise certain factors if necessary.
Know what are your must-haves in a place without going overboard on your allocated budget. Maybe you have pets, or you own a car. Perhaps you need to look at the places that allow pets or have access to a parking space. These are just examples that we often forgot because of our excitement from choosing a place all on our own.
Mistake 2: Not Investing in Quality and Maintenance
The next common mistake when living solo is not investing in quality. Think of it this way, the longer that you can keep the item, the more value that you’ll get for your money. It will take a long time before it needs replacement and will save you on costs in the long run. Sure, you’ve bought an appliance for a cheaper price, but what if buying the other choice for a few more bucks meant durability for years to come?
But besides investing good quality items, you also have to think of investing in maintenance. For example, let’s say the place you now own has a gorgeous granite countertop. But instead of doing a monthly sealing as seen here, you’ve ignored this because the countertop still “looks okay.” Perhaps your items don’t look and feel that they need some refurnishing, but what you’re doing is setting you up for extra costs on repairs.
Again, since you’re living on your own, you have no one to split the costs on repairs with. At the same time, you have no roommate to blame for the damages since you’re the only one in your place. So yes, these costs are all on you, and you’re responsible for them. Maintenance is not going to be as expensive as repairs. And they are not even going to be as complicated when you’re repairing damages. They can be as simple as sealing your countertop if it’s made of granite or putting filters over your drains to prevent blockages.
Mistake 3: Overlooking Security Enhancements
Another mistake that you might easily overlook is the security of the place. Yes, you might be doing an extra background check on your neighborhood. But you want to be able to sleep comfortably at night. Are there any histories of crimes like robbery in the area? What are the reasons why the previous owner moved? These might seem too scary and extreme to think about, but whenever I move or get a new place, I always ask these questions.
You also want to check if there are security cameras in the area. And speaking of cameras, make sure that you’ll get privacy with your new place. As unsettling as this sounds but there are cases of people finding hidden cameras in their rooms or showers. You might also want to know if you can add another layer of security with your new place.
For example, have you changed the locks in your new place? You have to feel safe knowing that no one else can access your new place. You can offer to pay for new locks if you’re renting. This extra step might seem tedious, but for me, it helps me feel more comfortable in my new place. The added costs in neighborhoods with more security features are going to be worth it.
Lastly, get to know your neighbors. It’s not like you want to be best friends with them, but you’re going to feel a lot better if you know you have someone to call if you need help. At the same time, you can ask them about tips and maybe hacks in living in this new place.
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