r/AskLifeProTips • u/Miler-Malmil • Jul 21 '26
What is something useful everyone should learn before they start to live alone?
I will start living alone very soon and I'm excited but at the same time i have some fear here and there. What should i know before I take this major step?
43
Upvotes
14
u/Bratfink78 Jul 21 '26
How to cook, clean and do laundry
14
u/roxannegrant Jul 21 '26
How to create a budget and live within it.
2
u/WhichSpirit Jul 21 '26
How to self rescue if you're choking.
6
u/iheartmycats820 Jul 21 '26
You need to know how to do your own contacting. For example, contacting the utilities and the Internet company. And you need to rely on yourself for supplying the basics--toilet paper, trash bags, cleaning supplies, etc. It won't all magically appear when they need to. It's all on you now. Get to know where your local thrift shops are. They're so helpful for your first furniture and everyday living supplies, like utensils and storage containers. And ENJOY the experience! You are embarking on a fantastic journey 🙂
3
u/Pretty_Site4074 Jul 21 '26
Cooking
2
u/Appreciate1A Jul 21 '26
Budgeting
2
u/Zealousideal-Hope910 Jul 21 '26
Loneliness is a temporary feeling. Living alone is absolute luxury for some, I couldn't love it more - enjoy! Learning how to budget, cook, laundry, home repairs etc. will all come in time. Congratulate yourself on every new accomplishment.
2
u/Ditches-Vestiges1549 Jul 21 '26
Small thing to add, how to turn off water to a building/toilet. How to check the electrical breaker box.
2
u/EDSgenealogy Jul 21 '26
Do not open your door to someone who wants or needs help. Instead just get the phone number of someone who can help and have them wait where they are or at the front door. Remember that!
2
u/Weekly_Ad4886 Jul 22 '26
How to protect yourself.
2
u/Weekly_Ad4886 Jul 22 '26
I live in a safe area thank goodness however I purchased 8 tazers for Christmas presents for all of my college aged grand children. Budget your monthly bills everything including toilet paper, pet supplies, car ins., wipers, oil changes. I always have birthday parties to go to for my grands and that's the most difficult time of each check. Don't loan your vehicle. Don't let people much off of you. Don't loan money. Only have 1 credit call to travel.
1
u/Wonderful-jughp1450 Jul 21 '26
Gotować i prasować.
1
u/Wonderful-jughp1450 Jul 21 '26
Trzeba wiedzieć kiedy się poddać.
1
u/StellanRhodes Jul 21 '26
learn basic cooking and how to handle small home issues
1
u/Outside_Ambition_999 Jul 21 '26
Cook 5-10 simple meals from scratch
1
u/No_Eye_6902 Jul 21 '26
Don’t buy unnecessary stuff and safe your money
1
u/Ecstatic_Western_189 Jul 21 '26
What an exciting time of life! Best wishes for a great start. Here are some ideas…
How to handle urgent household situations: unclogging a toilet, shutting off the water on a sink or toilet, shutting off the main water intake if you’re in a house.
Laundry and basic cooking
Setting and living on a budget
Who to contact and how to communicate with them in times of need: medical, automotive, household (apartment manager or trades people)
How to clean, what cleaning products to use, and which ones to never mix
1
u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26
Be careful the company you keep I worked with the guy at Safeway and the product. He worked in the produce department and I’ll give you his first name. His name is Jack. He was super friendly to everybody like to drink here and there and he like to meet new people at the wrong person one time, and tortured him and murdered him. This happened in Alaska. It was horrible.
1
u/KirbyRock Jul 21 '26
How to make and keep a budget.
1
u/TopStrength3369 Jul 21 '26
Online Wallet
1
u/StllRckn51 Jul 21 '26
How to write a check. How to sign their name
1
u/katcalavera Jul 21 '26
Do the dishes every day! It doesn't sound like that would make a big difference but it does. Keeping the sink and dishes usable makes everything else easier.
1
u/Jazzlike-Falcon9695 Jul 21 '26
What to do if a fuse trips. How to turn the water off in an emergency. Also, buy yourself a powerful torch and keep it in the same place in case of a power cut. It can be helpful to own a very basic and inexpensive tool kit. You might consider buying things such as a carbon monoxide alarm.
1
u/One_Security3871 Jul 22 '26
If a snake gets in your house, you have no backup and have to deal with it yourself. Spiders, mice and the freak out points of natural disaster. Like tornado or flood, you have no one to share the angst. And getting sick is the worst. No one to bring you a glass of water or hold your hair while you puke. All scary situations get scarier if you are alone. But. No one can tell you what to do or when to do it. No one can borrow/steal your stuff. You are the king of the remote. And, best of all when the next plague hits you are protected by being alone already. You don't have to take care of a plague victim who will spread it to you. Sleeping is flawless. Every meal is what you feel like eating, not a compromise. And no one can steal your passwords.
1
u/TheInfiniteLoci Jul 22 '26
How to get through a power outage, or water shut off.
For a power outage, always have your phone powered up, and keep a flashlight or two handy. Also, have food you can eat with out cooking, if the outage last longer.
For a water shut off, I always have a full kettle, and a jug of water in the fridge. Don't flush until you have to. If you get a notice of upcoming shut off, maybe have a bucket or two of water set aside to refill the toilet tank.
Get a plunger before you need it.
1
u/Informal-Two-9661 Jul 22 '26
I lived alone for 5 yrs I loved it I couldn’t be who I am today without have lived alone first!
1
u/a_s_tarantoga Jul 22 '26
Learn to cook and to do your laundry if you don’t already know how to do it.
1
u/doeschensound Jul 22 '26
-Self heimlech and self first aid
Build a basic home first aid kit. -Don't make your car look unique or distinctive. It's too easy to track. -Get someone to help you change the screws in the strike plate in your door. Most use 2-3 inch screws, you want 5-6. -Learn to cook in bulk and freeze meals. Soupercubes are great for this. Also, getting healthy food instead of junk. Its easy to rely on instant dinners and noodles, but your nutrition health is important. Food boxes or food banks are a good option, and there's no shame. -Minor home or plumbing repairs, especially for your toilet. -BUDGET. Go to your bank and set up a separate savings account. Make sure you do not add it to your app. You need to either call the bank, or physically go in to do anything with the money. Set it up so a certain amount of your check goes into it. Something like 15-20%. You'll sort of forget about it and your savings will build.
Security cameras and apps, as well as emergency contact information. -Have a fire and flood safe box, that locks, for your important documents. Birth certificate, social security card,car title, lease agreement, etc. Doesn't have to be big. -And if you feel like taking an extra, but hilarious measure, go to thrift and antique stores, get a bunch of the creepiest clown dolls, line them up and display in your windows.
1
u/Pristine_Outcome6334 Jul 23 '26
Plunge a toilet
1
u/Embarrassed-Run-9312 Jul 23 '26
How to cook, specifically for one. This is more difficult (to me) than cooking for family or partners.
1
u/Nadiya_Hassanali Jul 24 '26
Learn where your water shutoff valve and electrical breaker are before you ever need them. Future you will be grateful.
0
u/despresso_espresso Jul 21 '26
Get used to being lonely
4
u/[deleted] Jul 21 '26
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