Whether it’s because of a rough economy, a difficult roommate situation or a personal crisis that is prompting you to move back home with your parents, there are several things you can do to make the transition more manageable.
A 2012 Pew Research Center report found that adults ages 25 to 34 years are among the most likely to live in multi-generational households. If you happen to be among this group, you need an action plan to manage your time at home and get back on your own two feet sooner rather than later. Here are six ways to make that move back home less awkward.
1. Work toward a goal move out date.
You won’t be living at home forever, so make sure everybody knows what to expect as far as your length of stay. Set a goal move out date, and get everything in order to coordinate the move. Call local moving companies for a quote based on your move out date, search for apartments or housing to find out about availability and put together a budget to manage the move. Creating a concrete plan with a target date will make the goal that much more achievable and give you a clear idea of what you are working toward during your time at home.
2. Be clear about expectations and responsibilities.
Moving back home can disrupt your family’s daily routine and impact your role as a family member. Make sure you have a serious discussion about expectations and what you are responsible for around the home. Whether this involves cleaning duties, financial responsibilities to cover some of your housing costs or basic household rules about how many people you are allowed to bring over, make sure everything is laid out so you can avoid stress and tension at home.
3. Make smarter money decisions.
Taking away the responsibility of paying rent for a few months or only having to pay a fraction of what you were paying when you lived on your own can free up some much-needed cash. This is the perfect time to make smarter decisions with your finances and work on a budget. If you have a hard time with budgeting and managing your money, take some time to put together a realistic budget and take a closer look at your spending habits. Use apps such as Spending Tracker or Mint to track daily expenditures and analyze your habits in more detail. Set up a budget spreadsheet or make use of free tools like BudgetSimple to organize your finances and get a better handle on your personal cash flow. Avoid the temptation to spend your money on frivolous purchases so you can work toward your goals and come out ahead when it’s time to move out.
4. Be prepared to compromise.
Giving up your independence when moving back home may be one of the biggest stressors of the entire process. Since you don’t have the freedom to run the show at the moment, you will have to follow your parent’s rules and be prepared to compromise. Your parents may have strict rules about imposing a curfew or want you to cook meals a few times a week, so discuss expectations openly and find ways to compromise about the issue at hand.
5. Be proactive with your career.
Whether you’re currently unemployed or thinking about getting a second job, make the job search a higher priority. Since you don’t have to stress about housing costs by moving home, you can focus on lining up a better job that helps you earn enough to move out when you want to, or focus on working to earn more and save money. Be proactive with your career objectives by updating your résumé, reaching out to prospective employers, following up after interviews and making your career a higher priority so you can be independent again. If you are currently employed, consider asking for a raise or working toward a better position so you can be more secure in your career as you make the transition back to your independent life.
6. Become more self-reliant.
Don’t become too comfortable with your living situation and neglect your health and personal responsibilities. It may be tempting to get lazy with your eating habits or rely on your parents to pay for everything awhile, but this will take its toll on you in the long run. Take this time at home to make your health and fitness a higher priority, prepare your own healthy meals and take care of other areas of your life. Becoming more self-reliant by learning how to cook, getting in better shape, keeping up with your doctor visits and managing your money responsibly can make you feel more confident about moving out on your own again and help you build a better future for yourself.
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6 Ways to Make Moving Back Home Less Awkward originally appeared on usnews.com
