You finally made it out of your parent’s house and are feeling like a real adult. Everything seems to be going great, besides having to pay the bills and rent every month, but it’s all worth it to be independent. However, being on your own can have its difficulties. Here are four problems that life could throw at you and how to handle them.
Get Locked out of Your Apartment
There’s nothing worse than not being able to get into your house or apartment, and losing or misplacing your house key can be your worst nightmare. However, before shelling out $100 for a locksmith, consider taking a few precautions beforehand.
Having an extra set of keys in your car is a good backup plan, but if you lost those too, you’ll still be in a pickle. Installing a lockbox for a spare set of keys outside your door can be a great solution, and providing a spare key to a trusted neighbor or your landlord can also prevent a dilemma.
Wet Cell Phone
Dropping you phone in the toilet, running it through the washer, or even forgetting it was in your pocket when you jumped in the pool is far less than ideal. However, before running to the store to purchase a new one, there may still be hope to save it. Turn off the phone immediately after it gets wet, take it apart, and try to dry it as much as possible. Be sure to remove your SIM card as well, so that you do not lose any important information.
Then, place your phone in a bag of rice, which will help to absorb any remaining moisture, and leave it there for at least 24 hours or more, rotating it every hour or two to try to allow any water to run out. After removing the phone from the rice, ensure it is completely dry and repeat the previous steps if needed. After ensuring it is dry, attempt to turn it on and hope for the best.
Cleaning up a Spill or Stain
Whether the dog made a mess or your cup of coffee tumbled to the floor, having to worry about a stain on the carpet is an awful feeling. However, with just some white vinegar and some warm water, the stain can vanish in no time.
Try to address the spill as soon as possible, and begin by blotting the spot to soak up any spillage. Be sure not to rub or smear the stain though, as this will just worsen it and cause it to spread. Then, wet the stain with a mixture of half vinegar and half water, and let it soak for a few minutes. Blot the area until dry, and continue using the water and vinegar mixture until the stain is gone.
Minor Auto Repairs
Car troubles never seem to happen at a good time, and they can be even harder to deal with living on your own. You may get a flat tire, get surprised with a dead car battery, or get a crack in the windshield thanks to that truck driving in front of you. All of these hiccups can happen at any time, and being prepared can provide a quick fix. There is nothing worse than getting a flat tire and realizing the spare is flat too. Check it regularly to make sure it is inflated in case you need it.
Carrying a pair of jumper cables in your trunk is a handy way to deal with a dead car battery, and it provides an easy fix as long as there is another car around. If a rock hits the windshield and leaves a nice dent in it, you don’t have to shell out the money to replace it. Simply cleaning out the crack and filling it with a little bit of super glue will help keep the glass together and prevent it from spreading further. It’s not a bad idea to keep the contact information of a company like Martin Glass Company or a similar business on hand as well.
Being out in the world on your own has plenty of benefits, but there are various minor issues that can come up each and every day. However, knowing these few small quick fixes can help ease your stress in these situations and make living on your own a little bit easier.
