by Hope
The time is here and we couldn’t be more excited…the twins are moving out. Sea Cadet found an apartment in the newspaper, called about it, we went to visit and the twins discussed.
Now their application is approved. And we will finalize a move in date today. We are looking at a day next week assuming it’s okay with the landlord and they can get utilities set up. (Specifically, internet, History Buff will not move without it being set up.)
They are excited.
The littles (well, they aren’t so little anymore, but it’s still how I think of them) are excited.
I am excited.
All for different reasons…but lots of excitement around here.
The twins cooking one of their late night meals.
No Spend September No More
But that does mean, I through No Spend September out the window…hear me out.
- As previously agreed to (and I believe written here,) I gave them both their September rent back to put towards their move. There’s $500 I spent.
- I also helped them by paying the $50 application fee and $100 of their $500 deposit. Another $150.
- And then, I spent about $220 on some of the “needs” for their new place…
- I bought them a vacuum because their new place is all carpet. (We don’t have any carpet in our house, thus no vacuum; otherwise, I would have suggested sharing as I doubt they will vacuum often.)
- I bought them a basic set of pots and pans. (I have absolutely no extras since we are pretty minimalist.)
- I bought the basic pantry type items to stock their kitchen.
I am certain I will help them out a bit more before the move is complete.
Gone but Not Too Far
Their new apartment is about as old as our house, the rent is the same as our house and it’s probably almost the same square footage wise. It’s also just 2 miles from the house.
They have a laundry room, but no washer or dryer. For the time being they will continue to wash clothes at home. And they have also told me that they will be stocking their toilet paper from my house as well…
My dad says I am going to see them every day for a while because with all the new financial responsibilities, they are going to be broke until they learn to budget accordingly. As a result, I am not lowering my food budget just yet.
I am excited for them. But I’m also excited for me. I will have a true living room again. And maybe I can move my office out of my bedroom. We will be able to park in our driveway without having to rearrange cars every time someone has to leave. And this is a great way for the twins to launch into the next phase of adulthood!
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
How exciting for them (and you)! There will be some growing pains but the first place on your own always has good memories.
I know you’re rural but is there a nextdoor, buy nothing, or local facebook group? You should put up a post saying it’s their first apartment and they need anything and everything. You might be surprised with what some people would offer. The random kitchen and house supplies can really add up the first time around. Has your Grandma’s house sorted out yet? Would the remaining beneficiaries be open to the twins taking some of the house related stuff?
You should sit down with them and help to create a budget for each of them. Show them how much money they will have after all bills and what they can spend every week. seeing it on paper puts things into perspective. It makes it very real.
Yes, we have done that. Even set up a shared account for bill pay only.
I want to help minimize the new responsibilities of bill pay from becoming a stressor in their relationship.
I think our plan is solid and for now I will be overseeing…just for now while they get their feet under them.
I am so proud of them! Look how far they have come!!! Let them know we are encouraging them and wish them both all the best.
Did they sign a year’s lease? I hope they did so they realize they are expected to stay there at least a year. It seems to me too many young adults boomerang back and forth. When my daughter got her first apartment, her roommate was slow paying any bills- she would tell my daughter she didn’t have any money so no use asking for it. My daughter finally contacted her parents and found a responsible roommate and ‘kicked’ her out. Daughter always said she felt grown up when she did not need a roommate!
They sign the lease tomorrow and yes, they are signing a year lease.
We’ve also discussed ad nauseum a plan to keep the financial aspects of living together from becoming a problem.
This is going to be a huge learning curve for both of them.