One of the most exciting adventures you can face is living alone. When you have your own place, you are truly independent. You can do whatever you want, invite all your friends, or decorate the space according to your taste. It’s like having your own kingdom where you are the king or queen. While solo living can be fun, there are some challenges to it. You need to learn to cook and manage a cleaning schedule. You can’t just hop into bed the minute you get home from school or work.
To help you survive, we compiled some adulting hacks to make your stay the best it can be:
Turn your house into a home
It sounds like simple advice but it works wonders. By turning your house, condo, or rented room into a home, you are more likely to enjoy staying in. Add personal touches like posters, some potted plants, and your favorite books to make it truly yours. We recommend Photobook, an app that personalizes photobooks, home decor, stationery, photo gifts, and cards. You’ll be making new memories so immortalize them and display around your new home.
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Pick a schedule that works for you
One of the things that I found difficult at first was cleaning. I live in my family’s house, which is too big for one person. It also means there are more things and rooms to clean. At first I found it tedious to spend an entire day just cleaning. It might work for some people but not for me. What I did was I split the cleaning schedule by allotting one room per day. Breaking my cleaning schedule into parts made it more manageable and I found time to rest and do other things.
Get a loan
An app we think every millennial should have is Tala. Originally from Santa Monica, California, this game-changing Android application is like a financial safety net for everyone, especially when the dreadful petsa de peligro comes, or during times of emergencies. With cash loans of up to P10,000, Tala can approve your money needs in under 10 minutes and with very minimal effort—you can literally apply for a loan without having to leave the comforts of your bed. You can then get your money through your bank account or through accredited padala centers. Cash loans start at P1,000 depending on what you get approved for. If you pay on time or keep your account status in good standing, you qualify for higher amounts. Repayment is easy, too. You can pay through Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, coins.ph or 7-Eleven. You just have to note that Tala charges a one-time fee of 11% for loans that can be paid in full within 21 days or 15% for payment in full within 30 days. Download Tala here.
Keep a planner
I’ve always kept a planner but it has proven itself more useful now that I live alone. A planner can help remind you of important dates like when bills are due, but you can also use it to monitor your household including your cleaning schedule, your budget, and things to do or repair. This is especially helpful since maintaining your own space is like having a second job.
Cook meals in advance
For those who can’t cook well or enjoy the task, cooking meals in advance helps. Sure, it’s easy to order takeout or have food delivered but this can pile up, especially if you’re working on a budget. Allot a few days where you can cook a certain number of meals and just store them in the fridge. Pop them in the microwave or the pan when you’re ready to eat! If you can’t cook, you can also watch videos and tutorials available online.
Find the best deals
Chances are you’re living on a budget. Good news is, just because you’re living the independent life doesn’t mean you have to give up on your luxuries. Thankfully, a lot of businesses offer deals and promos so you can still get your favorite food and services at a special price. A secret I recently discovered is ShopBack, a cashback reward program that gives you up to 30% rebates when you shop from 1,500 brands all over the world, including Booking.com, Agoda, Klook, Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, Grab, FoodPanda, Metrodeal, Eatigo, and Althea. On top of getting a portion of your money back when you shop, there are also exclusive discounts! It is a great way to save you some money on your daily purchases so you can afford all the other things you like.
Automate chores with apps
We’re lucky to live in the time of technology because we can count on apps to automate things and services. One that can help independent living is Swosh, a laundry pick up and delivery app. They do all types of services, from washing to pressing, dry cleaning, shoes (using the Ultra-Sonic Shoe Cleaning System), and pet items. The app has over 200 direct laundry partners and chains. It’s easy to use: simply select the service, input the pickup and delivery times and dates, type in your address, and choose which laundry shop you would like to do the service. It’s easy and convenient, and I love how I can use my new free time to do other chores or relax. Swosh will soon be launching a home cleaning service so you can do it all with one app!
Follow the one-minute rule
The one-minute rule is basic: if something can be done in one minute, do it. These are the things that pile up when you ignore them, such as doing the dishes, storing the laundry in your closet, and returning things back where they belong. They may seem annoying at the time until you wake up one day with a sink full of dirty plates, a pile of clean laundry hanging on the clothes rack, and items scattered all over the house. If it only takes a few seconds, just do it.
What other adulting hacks you have? Share it below!
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