Moving Out? Get Ready for These 4 Everyday Responsibilities - Part 2
When you get ready to move out there will be new responsibilities you may or may not have managed before. See Part 1 for some of these responsibilities related to tasks in the house. In this article, we’re going to delve into some of the responsibilities outside of your house. Mastering these skills will help you take steps toward your future!
Opening a Bank Account
You may already have a bank account when you graduate, perhaps as a place where you deposit paychecks from summer or year-round jobs. According to a 2021 FDIC national survey, about 5.9 million Americans do not have a bank account. This is due to a variety of different factors, but not having a bank account places households at a great disadvantage when it comes to managing their money.
Opening your own bank account can give you a safe and reliable place to save your money, opportunity to use a debit and credit card, pay bills automatically, receive a direct deposit from your workplace and many other advantages. Some bank accounts charge a minimum fee to open them (such as $25) and others are completely free to open. Check to see what costs and perks are associated with different banks before choosing one. Smaller, regional or local banks often have a more personal touch. They may be able to walk you through the process.
Pro Tip: You’ll need certain documentation to open a bank account. See this article for details about what to bring.
Registering to Vote
If you’re at least eighteen when you move out, you can now register to vote! It is the baseline, standard responsibility and right of American citizens, but sometimes, it can be a bit confusing to find out how, where and when to exercise your right.
Registering to vote is usually not difficult if you know where to look. You will likely register with your city or county, and your polling place (where you actually do the voting) will be within the area where you live. If you move, you simply update your voter registration to the new location.
Every state, county and city are different when it comes to voting. There are a lot of differences between these places. But you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Sites such as vote.org have everything you need to figure out where and how to vote for your specific location. All you do is simply enter in your zip code or address and it will point you to the right links, forms and locations.
Voting takes time and intention. You have to plan ahead. Before voting day, be sure you are registered and aware of what will be on the ballot. But as you start building a life on your own, it is a small but significant way you can start making a difference immediately in your community.
Pro Tip: You can opt-in to get election reminders from vote.org for your local area so you don’t miss an election!
Scheduling Doctor & Dental Appointments
One thing that can be extra tricky when you move out is navigating the world of insurance and healthcare. The systems are rarely easy or convenient, and sometimes, it takes a lot of persistence. If your family has insurance, you might be able to stay on your parents’ plan until you are age 25 or 26; it really depends on the company.
When you move out, it will be important to get the insurance information from your parents so you can continue scheduling your health appointments as needed, such as doctor’s visits, dental cleanings and eye exams. These offices will likely not send any reminders, so it is up to you to prioritize your health and get them on the calendar.
There are often longer wait times for appointments, so when you set the appointment, be sure to add it to your calendar and set reminders for yourself so you don’t miss it. Missing an appointment just makes your life more complicated since you have to try to reschedule and complete the task all over again!
Pro Tip: Schedule these appointments in the same months every year to help simplify the process. For example, perhaps you schedule your routine appointments every January and July.
Paying Taxes
Paying taxes is not what most people envision when they think about moving out on their own, but it is a necessary part of everyday life. Each state and county will be a bit different in their process for collecting taxes and the amounts you will pay. When you’re first starting out, your parents might be willing to assist you with the process, but if they are not or are unavailable, you can always enlist the assistance of a tax professional. It is hard to figure out how to complete the forms correctly on your own. And if you make a mistake, it could cost you later.
There likely won’t be any reminders or notifications that you are supposed to pay your taxes, so mark on your calendar for February or March to start getting ready for when taxes are due in April. You’ll need certain forms from your job, from your school if you are receiving scholarships or grants, and other items.
Pro-Tip: Ask the tax professional ahead of time what documents you will need to complete the appointment.
Summing It Up
It takes time, practice and organization to manage these responsibilities. But over time, it gets easier. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you’re not graduating yet, you can still get real world experience now. Spirit Box delivers concrete business experience to high school students before they even graduate. Start building your resume and skills now with Spirit Box!