About me

I started writing Guide to Moving Out when my twenty something step-kids were talking about moving out of home. It began as a mental check list to make sure we, as parents, had covered everything they need to know before they stepped out on their own. Simple things like the costs involved in renting (bond, utilities etc), maintaining their car, cooking easy meals and the basics you need in the pantry.

What would I know?

I moved out of home when I was 21 and had no idea about budgeting and very little about cooking. I stopped listening to the over-loading advice my Mum would give me long ago. When I first moved out I was hopeful it would be seem less, it wasn’t. (There is a burnt pot buried deep in a garden somewhere from my first failed attempt at cooking). Moving out was fun, terrifying, surprising and liberating.  Money To make ends meet I worked as a (very bad waitress), a barmaid, and even dressed up as a Panda Bear to give out candy to kids. (BTW kids are mean). In my late 20’s I sold everything I owned and moved to London with only $500 and a backpack. Everything was SO expensive in London (except Pints). I ended up walking everywhere and buying my clothes from Op Shops, just so I could afford the rent.

Eating

I couldn’t afford to eat out (even sandwiches were expensive) so I learned how to boil an egg and make mince interesting. I found if you slow roast some tomatoes with garlic, mash them up and add some mushrooms and spinach – you didn’t need to starve or be undernourished.

Share House

I moved into a crappy share house with an Irish girl and two English guys I had never met before and for the next two years had the best time. After I got over the sticky carpets and the peeling paint – we just got on with living. Having cool people to come home to and share experiences with was a life saver – I doubt my time in London would have been such a positive experience without the house mates.

Moving Back Home

After 4 years of fun, I moved back to Perth and had to buy EVERYTHING! From bed linen, an iron to salt & pepper. It was then that I realized how much I didn’t need – and it was liberating.

Renting

The worst thing about living in a rental is having 6 weekly inspections – seriously those people scared me more than when my Mother comes to visit! The best thing about renting – you can choose where you live. If you decide not to extend your lease once it’s up – pack up your stuff and just move.

Planning

Moving out of home is fun, it’s exciting and really it’s not that hard. Remember – the first place you live in is not going to be your forever home. With a little bit of planning you are going to CRUSH IT!