So it's time to start living on your own, this can be quite the financial surprise to many
. One suggestion to help cut down on the living costs is to get some roommate. Perhaps some friends or some classmates you may know. However, while everyone may get along great there is still the chance that these potential roommates are not clean when it comes to housekeeping.
The first simple ground rule that should be laid out for everyone is cleanliness. Be sure to sit down and make sure everyone Is on the same page as far as acceptable house hygiene goes.
Make it clear that everyone is to keep their messes in their own personal rooms. When it comes to the other shared areas such as the kitchen, try implementing a 48 hr rule.
A chore list is a great way to keep everything in line and everyone get along. This list will be helpful when raw foods have been left out or the toilet is clogged.
Unless you are living with people that are use to your living habits, it can be hard at first to remember that people live differently and that some habits will need to be changed to accommodate everyone living in the house.
Another thing is to make sure you are all clear on ground rules for personal items like dishes, food, and other things. Another important discussion to have is about acceptable behaviors in the house. Having these conversations can avoid a lot of problems in the future.
Make sure to bring up money as well. While it too is an awkward topic, the rent and utility bills still need to be paid and everyone needs to chip in.
One way to keep everyone responsible is to make one person in charge of collecting the money and paying the bills each month. Just be sure they aren't spending the money on their own personal things.