Monday, April 23, 2018

Necessities for Starting Out On Your Own

Living with your parents or with roommates definitely has its perks, but at some point you learn it’s time to set out on your own. Whether you’re getting married, graduating high school, graduating college, or just starting that next chapter in your life - setting out on your own is something that every person must do at some point in their lives.

But not all of us are very prepared for that moment. There are tons of things that go along with being on your own that might not ever occur to you until you’re in the moment when you desperately need something that you don’t have, like a can opener or a screwdriver.

Well, let me assure you, we are here to help. With partners like The Ivy Apartments, a BYU-I student housing complex, we have compiled a list of some essentials for starting out on your own.

Toolkit
You won’t be able to borrow dad’s toolkit anymore, but unless you plan on doing a lot of building or woodworking projects, you probably don’t need anything too expansive for your toolkit.

Here are some basics that you might find you need at some point:
- Screwdriver. When the shower drain gets clogged with you or your partners’ hair, you’re going to wish you had one of these bad boys to help you open the drain.
- Wrench. A wrench will come in handy with any plumbing issues that you might try to fix on your own.
- Hammer and nails. When it comes time to decorate your new place, you’re going to want these to hang pictures and decorations. Make it feel a little more like home.
- Tape measure. Before purchasing new furniture, you’ll need to measure doorways and room widths to make sure your furniture will even fit.

First Aid Kit
The pharmacy of Mom and Dad is closed for business - at least to you. So it’s time to pick up the essentials in case of any emergencies. You can always pick up a generic first aid kit from a local retailer that will have most of the necessities, but here’s a list of things to keep on hand, just in case:
- Band-aids. You never know when you are going to accidentally nick yourself with a razor or slip while chopping veggies.
- Antibacterial ointment. This will come in hand with any cuts or scrapes you get to help avoid infection.
- Gauze. This is really just a precaution for larger emergencies that might require stitching - you can also use a towel or t-shirt in a cinch.
- Tweezers. If you ever walk outside barefoot or garden, you’ll be appreciative of these later.
- Pain killers. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) will come in handy after a hard workout, during that time of the month, for headaches, or any other lasting pain that you might endure.
- Cough drops and cold medicine. These are one of those things that you don’t ever have when you need it. So keep some with your first aid items.
- Ice pack. Keep an ice pack in your freezer for sore muscles or bumps on the head. Frozen chopped veggies work too.

Bathroom Items
Living on your own, you’ll realize certain items are better to have on hand than to have to go out and buy them. Some of the items that you’ll want in your bathroom are just such items.
- Toilet plunger. The last thing you want is for your toilet to go unclogged if this issue ever arises.
- Toilet cleaner and scrubber. If you ever plan on having guests over - or just like your home to feel clean - this is a good thing to have.
- Windex. Bathroom mirrors accumulate all kinds of mess, from hairspray to toothpaste to water spots. Keep a window/mirror cleaner in your bathroom to clean up every once in a while.

Kitchen Items
You’re probably aware of most of the basic kitchen items that you will need. But here are some commonly forgotten items to add to your checklist before you move out.
- Pizza cutter. It’s just easier to cut pizza with a rotary cutter than a large knife.
- Can opener. When you have a sudden desire for a tuna sandwich, the last thing you want is to realize you don’t have a way to open your can of tuna.
- Ice cube tray. Odds are, you aren’t moving to a place with a super modern refrigerator that has an ice maker, so this little thing might come in handy.

Make sure you have everything you need before moving out on your own. But don’t fret, even if you do forget an item or two, just make a note of it and plan a trip to the store. You’re going to be just fine.

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