Moving out from parents’ house is a significant step in one’s life. It requires hard work and planning. When you’re at home, it’s easy to ignore the small yet impactful changes in your lifestyle.
As soon as you are out on your own, you are hit with it all at once. The first few months are probably not pleasant because of how expensive living alone can be.
It would help if you had enough cash for rent, food, bills, clothes, furniture—the list goes on.
And that’s all without getting into any emergencies or unexpected expenses that might crop up along the way.
But let’s get into the question:
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How much do you need to save to move out?
The truth is, if you don’t have at least three months of living costs saved up right now, it may not be time yet to get out of mom and dad’s house!
When it comes to saving money before moving out, you need no set minimum amount in terms of a bank account balance. The required three months’ worth of living costs- i.e., rent/mortgage, food, bills, and so forth- varies depending on factors such as where you live and what type of work you do.
But generally speaking, the target savings goal is $5-10 thousand dollars at least to help cover those necessities asap following your departure from mom and dad’s place!
That number could increase if your desired neighborhood or lifestyle isn’t affordable. You may also want to factor in an emergency fund for unforeseen events along the way, which typically includes between 6-12 months of living costs depending on your circumstances.
But don’t worry, there are ways to make this goal more achievable.
How to Save Enough Money to Move Out
Start by evaluating your spending habits and see where you can cut back on unnecessary expenses. Take a close look at your budget and figure out what you can live without for a bit longer.
Brown-bagging your lunch instead of eating out, going out to movies less often, biking instead of driving—all these minor changes can make a big difference in your savings account balance.
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Not only will you be able to save more for moving day, but you also find yourself paying off debts and building credit simultaneously!
Should I have some credit score to move out?
When it comes to having a good credit score, one of the most important things is to keep your credit utilization low. This means using a small percentage of your total credit limit on any one card.
For instance, if you have a $10,000 credit limit on a card, try to keep your balance below $1,000 at all times. This will show lenders that you’re not a risky borrower and can handle borrowing money responsibly.
If you’re looking to move out soon and want to build up your credit score in the meantime, consider taking out a small personal loan or opening a new credit card. Use this new credit line sparingly at first, and always make your payments on time.
Put a calendar reminder on your phone to remind you to make payment on time. This way, you could quickly build up your credit score without any risks.
How about living with roommates?
And while it might seem counter-intuitive not to get a fully paid-for apartment before moving out, your best bet might be to get roommates.
Hanging with friends you can trust is a great way to make the transition out of mom and dad’s place much easier (and more fun!) But if you go this route, be sure to check in on what kind of financial responsibilities they have so there are no surprises down the line.
Bottom Line
Moving out is a huge step, but it’s not impossible if you plan and save up accordingly. It would be best to stay as much as possible with your parents to save up enough money.
The consensus is to move out if you have at least 3 to 6 months of expenses already saved and a good plan to make money in the future. To be on the safe side, you can add a few months of expenses on top. Having a good cash cushion is crucial here.
