Moving out seems to be a less popular option these days. Housing prices are much higher than they were 40 years ago, not to mention everything else is more expensive, too. That being said, there’s something special about having your own place. Moving out with no money isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean there’s no value in it. When you’re out of your comfort zone, you learn more about yourself that you wouldn’t have learned otherwise. If you want to start living independently, here’s my guide to moving out with no money.
Why bother moving out with no money?
If you have a comfortable life living in your family home, why bother giving it up? There are a lot of reasons why people choose to leave the nest.
Moving out with no money helps you develop life skills
There are a few life skills you don’t fully learn if you have someone taking care of you. Proper budgeting, time management, and cooking are just a few that come to mind.
A budget binder will help you manage your finances when moving out with no money. Don’t know what that is? Check out this article of mine and find out!
It also teaches you more about yourself
You learn the most about yourself when you’re out of your comfort zone and making your own decisions. It also teaches you what aspects of yourself you can work on, such as reacting to stress effectively.
It’s a space to call your own
Tired of having your family members “fix” things without telling you? When you move out, your space becomes your own. If you don’t have roommates, you can decorate it, rearrange it, and call it yours.
Sometimes, moving out with no money is just more practical
Got a new job opportunity and don’t want to spend 4+ hours a day driving or commuting? Moving out and getting a place closer to your work will give you some valuable peace of mind.
Moving out can give you more opportunities
If you’re adventurous, there’s something special about living in a place that isn’t where you grew up. It’s a big world out there, and maybe it’s time to start seeing and experiencing everything it has to offer!
Regardless of your reason for moving out, it will be a challenge. Here are 20 tips to make it easier:
20 Tips for Moving Out With No Money
Moving out with no money? Start saving ASAP
If you’re moving out with no money, you need to make a few sacrifices at first. Give up a few luxuries and put that money towards your savings. You’ll thank yourself when you need money, and fast, in the future.
Consider finding a roommate
Rent can eat up quite a bit of your monthly income. Having a roommate can help split this cost in half and other utilities like electricity, water, and internet. If you think it’ll be worth it to have a roommate, make sure to…
Have a roommate whom you know you can live with
I’ve heard a ton of stories where two best friends think they can be roommates. The catch is they always end up being incompatible as roommates. If you’re a neat freak, you should look for a roommate like you.
Be friendly with your neighbors
Your neighbors are people too! Being friendly be a huge help when you’re trying to learn more about the area or are just in need of a favor. This tip is especially important if you’re moving out with no money to a city where you don’t know anyone.
Have an emergency contact
If you’ll be living alone, always carry a card with your emergency contact and their number. If anything should happen to you, this will let them know.
It’s worth spending a bit more on location
You may have found an affordable apartment, but it’s an hour’s drive away from your work with traffic. You should put your peace of mind as a priority; otherwise, you may end up regretting it in the future.
Learn to cook
Cooking your own meals at home will always be cheaper than eating out. You can cook bulk dishes like pasta or rice that keep you fed for days. Check out my article on the cheapest meals.
Buy in bulk
If you have the storage and a bit of money upfront, you should be buying certain household essentials in bulk. Toiletries like toilet paper, shampoo, and body soap are things you should buy big. They’ll save you more money in the long run because you won’t have to keep replacing them.
Automatic bills payments
Set up your bank account to pay your bills automatically when it’s payday. This will ensure that you only see the money you’re allowed to spend on food and luxuries.
Start a side hustle
If you have a full-time job, it may also be worth starting a side hustle. This will give you a bit of extra money to play around with at the expense of your time.
Need a few ideas for a side hustle? Here is my article on 20 simple hobbies that can help you make money.
Coupons are a huge help when moving out with no money
When you’re tight on cash, coupons can be a lifesaver. There are dozens of coupon code sites that you can use to get a quick and easy discount. Many of them are free, too!
Find affordable entertainment
Moving out with no money will mean your options are limited when it comes to free time. There are many affordable hobbies that you can pick up that don’t cost a fortune. Going to the library or jogging at your local park are great (and free) ways to spend your time.
Buy quality, used furniture
Getting a new place? If it’s unfurnished, you’re going to need furniture. There are ways to source quality used furniture, like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local yard sales.
Learn about your location
If you’ve never been to your city before, it’s worth learning more about it. Finding out where to get a cheap bite to eat can help you quite a bit next time you’re craving. You should also learn what parts you should try to avoid and where the essentials, like a laundromat, are. Learning about your new location will be a lot easier if you…
Make friends in your new city
Having friends in your city is never bad. You’ll have people to confide in and talk to you so you won’t get lonely. You’ll also have people to teach you about your new place. Friends will make moving out with no money a little easier.
Don’t Forget Your Moving Out With No Money Checklist!
Phone
Your smartphone will probably be your best friend throughout your whole process of moving out with no money. It will be your primary way of contacting home in case you need anything. Additionally, it’ll be a convenient way to access the internet.
Cooking tools
A pan, spatula, and utensils are pretty much all you need to cook most dishes. If you have these, then you’re set for home cooking.
Papers and documents
You might forget that certain things require documents when moving out for good. A copy of your birth certificate is always nice to keep at home and any medical records.
Clothes, blankets, and sheets
You likely won’t be bringing your entire wardrobe, so just bring the essentials. An extra blanket couldn’t hurt, especially if you’re moving to a colder area like Minnesota.
Plunger
Believe me, sis. You do not want to be looking for a plunger when you need one. Consider this an emergency purchase that you’ll be glad you made.
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