Blog - Upliving

Living by yourself for the first time? Here's your ultimate checklist.

Written by Joke | Mar 26, 2025 1:47:17 PM

Your own place, your own rules; a new adventure. Exciting, right? But before you get carried away planning your first housewarming party, there are a few practical things you need to sort out. No worries, we've put together the ultimate moving-out checklist to make sure you don't forget anything important.

✔︎ Get your finances in order

Life is expensive, and trust me, you'll feel it. That's why keeping track of your income and expenses is so important. You don't want to  survive on instant noodles at the end of the month because you've run out of money. 

Start by creating a simple budget, an Excel sheet works wonders. Don't just include your rent though. Estimate your monthly grocery expenses, insurance costs, and set aside a buffer for any unexpected surprises. And don't forget your piggy bank, it's always good to have some savings on hand. 

Also, make sure to open your own bank account if you haven't already. If you're moving in with a partner, check out your bank's options for joint accounts. You can choose to have a shared account for rent and groceries, but if you're not in the whole "sharing is caring" thing no problem, there are other options.

✔︎ Sort out your insurances

It might sound boring but trust me, if you're a bit clumsy (like many of us), good insurance can be a lifesaver. 
 
Picture this: it's your first night in your new place, you light some candles to set the mood, and then... you fall asleep after a long day of moving. Oopsie. No need to panic over your new expensive curtains if you've got the right insurance. But without property or liability insurance? That cozy night could turn into a financial disaster. So, make sure your insurances are in place before you move in. 

✔︎ Gas, electricity & internet contracts

If you enjoy hot showers and running water, there are a few contracts you'll need to set up. Take some time to compare energy providers to find the best deal for your area. It'll save you some cash that could go toward treating yourself later on. The same goes for your internet contract. Make sure to sort these out at least 4 weeks before moving in, so you're all set to start working from home (or online shopping, let's be honest) from day one. 

✔︎ Waste collection 
 
The last thing you want is to let garbage pile up in your beautifully decorated new place. So, make sure you know when and how waste is collected in your neighborhood. And make your parents proud during their first visit.
 
✔︎ Inventory of your belongings
 
No matter how safe your new neighborhood is, there's always a chance of burglary. Police and insurance will need to know exactly what was in your house. So don't make a memory game out of it but search online how to make an inventory. You can find clear steps on how to do this. Better safe than sorry.
 
✔︎ Change of address
 
I know we sometimes just want to disappear from everyone but the municipality, bank, insurance, and your employer should be aware of your change of address. That way you have your mail delivered to the right place. And you can start cocooning. 
 
✔︎ Health insurance
 
If you're a member of a health insurance fund you're covered for medical expenses. While we hope your biggest healt concern will be a mild case of homesickness, This one is quite a big one.
 
Happy moving! :) 
 
 
 
 
 
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