You’re about to make the big leap: moving out of home. It’s daunting, it’s exciting, it’s everything in between. Here are a few tips to make the whole process a lot smoother.

Budget. Sit down and figure out what the costs of moving out are going to be. Make sure that you have enough money coming in each pay cycle to cover things like, water, gas, electricity. Often there are hidden costs when moving into your place. Make sure you have got all your bases covered.

Move when the time is right. If you are student, know that other students will be looking for places to stay too. Generally, everyone will be looking for places just before semester starts, so don’t leave until late January to start house hunting. Move when everyone is done with semester and moving out. November and late June are generally the best times to start looking.

Choose wisely. Finding the right place can be tough. Fortunately, there is a bunch of websites, Facebook groups and other tools to make the search easier. Once you have found the right room, make sure you inspect it before you move in. If alarms bells start going off in your head when you are inspecting the place, maybe keep looking.

Get recipes ready. One of the biggest things about moving is having to cook and shop all the time, it just never seems to end. So, teach yourself some easy recipes, that are cheap, and you can whip in a flash.

You are not alone. If you are struggling – whether it’s sticking to your budget or using a mop – ask for help. Ask your friends or family, everyone has moved out before – it is not as embarrassing you think. It’s a learning curve, that everyone goes through, trust me.

Goodluck.