What are some of your thoughts and Idea's for preparing kids for moving out of home? and what is a good age to start collecting items and getting kit together, or just not panicking too much about having 3 jaffle iron's in the cupboard.
I had a hope chest, it was given to me for my 14th Birthday, I picked it out myself, and over a couple of years I filled it before I moved out, it helped alot having towels kitchen stuff mum stole my fry pan, etc ready and waiting for me that the cost of the original move wasn't as intimidating.
My daughters are 11 13 and 14, we suspect they will be home for quite some time for the eldest and youngest due to delays and behavioural challenges although the eldest did suggest last week that staying on campus is now a conceivable option *cheer*.
I expect my 13yo to be travelling away for some Uni courses. many of the units she wants to do are not available at the local campus instead on the other side of the state.
I have told them I can pay their way through high school but from the first year of University they need to sort out their own fee's and text books. explaining that there are VET and HECS options available along with the various formats courses can come in. How we will support them is by feeding them and providing a roof over their heads if that is what they choose.
for a little while my partner took up Tupperware, primarily for the demonstrator discount and I took advantage of that we purchased them each microwave jugs each and went a "little" overboard on some items so we had a surplus. this didn't bother me as it lasts and we had the money to do it at the time.
The idea behind it was when they were ready to move out of home they could whittle it down a little setting up their own kitchen with the basics.
We have also inherited a great deal of Furniture which we used to replaced some of our more worn items, and twice as much again compared to our overspend of kitchen supplies and appliances. we have whittled it down some giving items away to those who have needed them.
I have 3 sets of bathroom scales no one will take them :S
but slowly getting there. the house sold and besides those inheriting raiding the house for what they wanted their solution when it had to be vacated was to literally dump it unceremoniously in my shed and throughout my house. it took months but we can now move in the house, and walk down one side of the shed, kind of.
I am a pensioner I don't have alot of money to help set them up and I salvage what I can where I can within reason. it was how I had any furniture at all for the first 5 years after I moved out of home.
so I am not in a rush to empty my shed to the salvo's quite yet but they will be getting a phone call to take some of it soon.
I also had a twin tub which I miss which was brilliant for soaking in. I now have an 8 and 7kg bosch washer and dryer. but being as portable twin tubs can be picked up for $119 I have seriously considered buying one for soaking in only, and just to have it there for them when they will be ready.
8 Replies
My parents never encouraged us. I did start hoarding a handful of things when I was about 17. People gave me a bunch of stuff when I moved out at 21. Personally I think savings are more important these days, as people are more likely to house share for awhile, rather than move out on there own. Ending up with 10 sofas and no fridge!
Cash takes up no room in a bank account but storing stuff takes up a lot of space.
Yeah sofas and fridges arent for the hope chest. Having the hope chest makes it easier to get the big things when the time comes. although the last to leave can probably take my LG 500L because I wont need it anymore. I did manage to score a large 5 seater lounge and recliners a year before I left. With only a small tear in the lounge arm for free. But mum claimed it for the living room before I moved out.
Of 4 siblings only my sister house shared and it was only a small 2 bedroom unit with her best friend. literally the unit right next to mine about a year after I had moved out. it was handy having her next door if we locked ourselves out we could climb the balconies at the back to get back in. and I never loved my sister so much as when there were doors between us we could lock (we had shared a room at home). but due to housing prices it is becoming more popular....(although in all honesty I'm not sure I want them sharing, my girls aren't without issues, but when it comes to their friends they tend to lead their friends to the more healthy alternatives and keep them out of trouble. I know what their friends get up to.)
This is more small appliances kitchen kit and linen. Which you need even in a share house.
I have three sheds and a large house storage isnt the challenge the surplus is getting redistributed.
The twin tub is something else. They do wash very well but don't handle large loads. I'm not thinking of buying three just the one to use til they need it.
At this point money is the harder to come by with what I have been chipped at constantly by excursions camps medical expenses and fee's. 2 years ago my income dropped by about half. had to change plans.
My mum did something similar for us and had a whole stack of stuff set aside for us. I'm 33, with my own family and my mum still buys me things like washing powder etc when it's on special.
I think encouraging your children to pay for their education once they are at uni is a great idea. My parents did that for us and it motivated us to work hard and we couldn't just waste our money. I'm going to do the same for my children.
When I was 18, my mother gave me a glory box (which she did for all of the girls in my family) and for birthdays and christmas' my mother and sisters would give me house hold items (cutlery, plates, cooking utensils, tea towels, sheets, towels..) When i turned 21 she handed over an investment account with $3000 in it (honestly I wish she given it to me at 25) she had these accounts for all five of my siblings. It was her gift to us that she started when we were born as a safty net and our own start into the big wide world.
I had tried doing that many years back. Unfortunately their father cleaned them out as quickly as I put money away.
They still have accounts and I still squirrel away but its how I put aside money for camps etc we dont have alot of change.
I wish I could have.
But I still have 10 years before they hit 25!
Once I find the money to replace the car and purchase the 2 laptops that are suddenly required next year.
I think this is a great idea. I was never prepared moving out wasn't a big deal. I wouldn't do big things I've set up many many homes it's not all that expensive from Kmart. And i agree about share houses and you never know what you'll need. But a nice box or trunk that would be furniture and some really valuable thoughtful things , a nice doona cover, journal, I'm not sure about contents but I think it's nice.
I'm also trying to make a savings account to give a lump sum.
I never had one, when I was 17 I started working in a department store (while still at school), and started buying what I would need on sale and staff discounts (not big ticket items, but kitchen ware, sheets, towels etc. . . .), my parents weren't in a financial position to help like that, though I did get what ever they had more of one of if they didn't use it. About 6 months before I had planned on moving out I started to buy cleaning products, bathroom products, and other supermarket items with long shelf lives, when on special My best friend got hers when she was 15, and so did all of her sisters,, they got things for Birthdays and Christmas's that would help when their time came to move out.
That is basically how I filled mine. I used layby and a portion of my wage each week so that I could buy good quality stoneware rather than cheap crappy pots. Took a few years to round it all up.
I cant believe so many assume they haven't been taught to budget cook and plan....too many 2D people around I think. how limited their life must be if they think everything is either or and can't be both.