A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO MOVING OUT

Simple and essential advice for youth leaving the nest for the first time.

Recognizing that it can be nerve-wracking for young adults to move out without having to remember minute incidentals, Selin uses straightforward know-how and common sense to help give them a fresh start. This inclusive guide, devoid of frills or extraneous material, gets right to the heart of what is required to successfully strike out into the world alone. Practical suggestions and sage advice is imparted on nearly every page, including the importance of reading the fine print in apartment lease agreements, navigating the tricky dynamics of cohabitating with a roommate and the basics of beginner furnishings. Some of the information presented, however, feels outdated or just plain unrealistic for today’s youth. Smart young adults will surely be able to find a bank that doesn’t charge ATM transaction fees, and while the author’s rigid budgeting framework and money-management “envelope system” might look great on paper, it may take more discipline than many students can muster. But Selin wisely includes cautionary material warning readers about the dangers of credit card overspending and hefty interest rates while exalting the power of a good credit score. The best section uses rudimentary mathematics to demystify the science of interest rates and finance charges. Lists are plentiful and will come in handy when shopping. A how-to section on setting a proper dining table makes the perfect accompaniment to several easy recipes. Regardless of their situation, Selin impresses upon young adults that they need to be responsible and will be held accountable, and, above all else, that striking out on their own should be a fun, exciting and exhilarating chance to show the world what they’ve got.

A handy tool to facilitate the road to independence.