It's a big day for Johnny. After saving for the past few years, he's finally amassed enough to leave his parents' home. Excited about his independence, Johnny can't wait to start living his life. There's only one problem—though he has $10,000 in savings, he recently left his job and is still a little too jaded from his last employer to consider working just yet.
Is Johnny making a big mistake, leaving the comfort and safety of his parent's home with only money in the bank? If you're in the same boat as Johnny, it's definitely a decision worth second-guessing at least once, but here are 12 ways to comfortably leave the nest without a job backing the move.
1. Calculate the Total Cost of Relocating
You know how much money you have saved, but knowing how much it will cost to relocate is just as important. These expenses can include a moving truck and supplies like boxes, tape, and padding. If you're moving out of state, you'll want to at least estimate the cost of gas, food, and accommodations. Then there's the cost of actually moving into a new space. Is there a down payment? Are you buying furniture or need basic supplies like utensils?
When you're on a tight budget, you can't guesstimate these costs. The actual cost of moving can easily cut your savings in half if you're not careful.
2. Cut Down on Unnecessary Bills
Though you may expect to find employment after you move, at this time, you're unemployed and have no new money coming in. That means you need to spend as little as possible on extraneous things like streaming services, high-tier phone data plans, and gaming services like Xbox Game Pass.
3. Pack Light
On top of wanting to minimize the cost of your initial move, you may be transient for a while, moving from one spot to the next. Having to lug a lot of personal items can be costly, especially if you need to rent even the smallest moving van each time. You may want to be able to pack all of your things in a car and go at a moment's notice.
4. Take Advantage of Low-Income Programs
Every city and state offers several food assistance programs for no and low-income people. Don't be ashamed to take advantage of these if money is starting to get tight. Before moving to a new area, familiarize yourself with options so you're not scrambling at the last minute should things get complicated.
5. Prepare To Have Roommates
You may be looking forward to living alone, but several factors may make that incredibly difficult. The cost of living alone may make it necessary to split rent with others. Not having a job can also make it nearly impossible to find a rental, as most require proof of income. It's possible to really stretch your budget by packing incredibly light and couch-surfing until you're established.
6. Find a Job With Room and Board
It's a bit rare in the 21st century, but it's not unthinkable that you could find a job or a volunteer role that includes room and board. We're not talking about a full-time, high-paying gig, of course, though that's not out of the question.
Jobs like live-in attendants to care for the elderly or animals may include a stipend and a room on the property, or you can enroll at a summer camp as a counselor for seasonal accommodations.
7. Try To Make Friends Before Moving
The internet is a wonderful resource for meeting people. Make use of it to try and find friends before moving. Apps like Meetup, Bumble BFF, Yubo, and Friended are all about finding friends instead of romantic relationships. Having people to hang out with and talk to in your new hometown keeps you from feeling lonely, which can uplift your spirits and give you the motivation to find work. Being completely alone in an unfamiliar city or town can weigh heavily on you over time.
8. Attend Networking Events
Similar to using apps to find friends, networking allows you to get in touch with like-minded individuals or prospective employers. Some cities will host job fairs or gatherings for specific industries that you may be interested in joining. Network as much as you can to build a Rolodex of people you can count on or determine potential career paths. You may see or hear something that pulls you out of your unemployed funk.
9. Learn How To Hustle
The art of the hustle is still a decent way to make a little extra cash. Look online for side jobs or people looking for temporary help for simple tasks that last a day or two and come with quick cash. If you know where to look, such as Craigslist and Facebook groups, you can have a steady rotation of hustles that help keep your bank account from draining. Just make sure everything you agree to comes with the promise of cash.
10. Prepare To Be Flexible
You may have a vision of how this move is going to go. Unfortunately, life doesn't always go the way we plan. Always be prepared to pivot and change direction on a whim. You may have an emergency that nearly drains your bank account, forcing you to take a quick part-time job, or someone you're living with decides to sell their home, and you need to move quickly. Moving without the stability of a job requires you to be flexible at all times.
11. Apply Before Moving
Let's face it. At some point, you will need to work again. You may hate the idea now, but your savings will only get you so far. To prepare for your new, financially responsible life, consider applying for jobs at the new location before making the move. You don't necessarily need to move with a job lined up, though having a few prospects may be a good motivator for when you do arrive.
12. Be Prepared for Failure
This kind of decision requires you to understand that it may not work out. That doesn't mean you should expect to fail or feel like failure is looming overhead. It's simply a way to humble yourself and prevent you from becoming too cocky and overconfident about your decision. Once you start feeling like there's no way this could fail, you start making the little mistakes that will undoubtedly land you back in your parent's home.
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