Some young people are as prepared for an independent life as sailors who have to live on a desert island after a shipwreck. They have no idea how to pay the bills or what to make for dinner, except for scrambled eggs. And that lack of preparation becomes a huge problem when they finally decide to move away from their parents.

We at Bright Side believe that there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you don’t know something, but it’s a shame to not try to at least figure it out. So we decided to collect some tips that will help boost the adult-life skills of those who are only on their first level.

How to organize your life

If you’re opening a box with a large and heavy item, like a TV, get it out by opening the bottom, setting it down on some firm surface, and simply lifting up the box. When you wash your windows, wipe them vertically inside and horizontally outside. If you see the stripes on the glass when you’re done, you will know which side they are on.

Tea stains in a mug (those brown rings) can be easily cleaned with baking soda. Just put some baking soda into your cup, rub the spots, and then rinse.

Remember that 2 is one and one is none. If you have a bottle of shampoo, you effectively have no bottles of shampoo because once you run out of it, you can’t wash your hair until you remember to get some at the store. Also, keep a shopping list.

If you lose something in your room, take a picture of your room, put it on Facebook, and have your friends play “I’m a spy.”

Credit cards aren’t free money. Please, don’t spend money you don’t have without real necessity or you may get into a vicious cycle that can lead to a lot of problems.

The key to success is learning how to plan your expenses. The priority should be the payment of your bills and transportation. The next category is food and household expenses. Then go your phone and internet payments. Then clothes, but only really necessary items that are practical, durable, and inexpensive. And the money that is left over after you’ve paid for all of these things, you can use for unplanned expenses and whatever you wish. © Dain Eysward / Yandex. Kew

Don’t get a pet right away without thinking about it first. If you want to provide them with a comfortable life, you’ll have to constantly pay for it, especially when it comes to treatments. And you can’t leave them for a long time if you have to travel somewhere. @ Maria Gorevaya / Yandex.Kew

When I fill out a questionnaire to get a discount card at some shop, I just put a random date instead of my birthday. And it’s so nice to get notifications throughout the year, that say that this magical day is coming and the shop is willing to give me a discount and additional bonuses. It’s impossible to spend all these bonuses on my real birthday, so they get wasted. @ Overheard. Lifehacks / vk

What advice would you give to a person who’s finally decided to move away from their parents? What life hack would you like to share with them?