Improving Your Skills and Taking Big Steps Into Adulthood
What does it mean to be an adult? Many people will answer differently to this question. Some will say that having a job and paying taxes makes you an adult. Others will say having a kid and getting married means your an adult. These are some heavy reasons and topics so, let’s start with the simple things first. What skills do you need to have as an adult?
Cooking
Cooking is a handy skill to have. You can save money by buying cheap ingredients and making a meal out of them. This skill also happens to be extremely useful during the pandemic when most food places were closed. Your favorite Thai takeout place is closed? Not a problem! You can look up easy recipes on the internet, get the ingredients, and start cooking.
This skill can also be useful during moments when you can’t get out of the house. You’ll be amazed at the possible budget-friendly meals you can make using random things you can find in your refrigerator. Cooking can help with your budget and gives you the added satisfaction of making a delicious meal.
Shopping
It is important to know when to shop and what to shop. Having the ability to stick to your shopping list and resist the temptation of getting something you don’t need is a must. The skill it takes to make an efficient shopping list and follow it through is not appreciated enough. Efficient shopping can help save you a few extra cash which you can then use on more important things like rent.
Sewing
Learning how to sew simple stitches and patches can save you the trouble of having to go to the tailor. Why spend to have your clothes repaired when you can do it yourself? Basic stitches can suffice for small holes and tears and can save you a couple of extra bucks. You can even learn more advanced sewing techniques to make alterations to your clothes. Turning this skill into a source of income is also not out of the question.
Changing a Tire
When planning to go for a long drive through different states, it’s good to know how to change a tire should yours get blown or flatten. Most times, help will come and take half an hour to half a day, depending on your location. To avoid having to rely on a rescue that may or may not come: it is better to know how to change a tire yourself. Changing a tire is relatively simple and can take you between fifteen to thirty minutes. If done right, you can get right back on the road and be on your way.
Repairing a Leak
Leaky faucets and pipes can be a major hassle. You’ll have to adjust your entire schedule to have it fixed only to find out that you could’ve repaired it yourself. Most leaks are often caused by loose pipes and can be easily repaired either by tightening them or using Teflon tape to seal the leaks. However, if a leak persists, do not hesitate to get a plumber’s services as it may be a sign of more serious problems with your plumbing.
Carpentry
Knowledge of basic carpentry can save you a ton of money. If you want to get tables, chairs, desks, and other furniture for your home but don’t want to spend too much money, the solution is simple: make it yourself. Carpentry opens a ton of possibilities for you in terms of saving your money and designing your home. Rather than spend a few hundred dollars buying a table, buy some wood and nails to build your own. You can even make the design in however way you want.
It’s not limited to building furniture. With enough knowledge and expertise, you can make small adjustments or alterations to parts of your home. Add some built-in shelves to your wall and other neat additions.
Changing Your Engine Oil
Many people are under the impression that changing a car’s motor oil is something you cannot do on your own. In actuality, you can do it in your garage after you get home from work. Changing your car’s engine oil yourself can save you quite a bit of money compared to the gas spent driving to your service center and having to pay for labor.
The life of an adult can be overwhelming. The constant struggle to budget everything out and make ends meet is something everyone has gone through in their adult life. Luckily, taking the time to learn the skills mentioned earlier can help you cut corners and save your money for more important things.