Moving Out: The College Grad's Guide to Leaving the Nest

I graduated from college this past May, and after a few months of searching I found a job...200 miles from my parents' home. How do I prepare? What will I need? Where will I live? How in the world will I pay for all of it? Every time I searched the internet for ideas or advice, most articles I found focused primarily on finding a house and choosing a good school district. I didn't need that - I have no children or pets and just need a small apartment. So if you're in a similar situation and need some advice on where to begin, here are some things to consider based on my own personal experience.

1. Get That Job - I'm going to assume if you're moving you already have a job. Is it a stable job? Does it have a possibility of advancement? Do you plan on staying there long? Think long and hard about these things before you move. The last thing you need is to move and six months later be without a job because that fly-by-night company lost all its money. Ask your human resources representative about health plans and possible discounts your company gives employees (hopefully you already did). I save 20% on my cell phone because of a work discount I found by looking it up!

2. Plan a Budget and Stick With It! - I hate it too, but it's such a huge part of the moving and living process. If I had to choose the most important piece of advice to give you, this would definitely be it. You budget is such an important part of this entire process! Your budget is going to determine pretty much everything: where you can live, how much you can eat, what kind of shape your car is in, etc. And seriously, you have to stick with it. No crazy purchases. But that doesn't mean you can't have fun, either. It means you can have budgeted fun. Get used to that.