Adulting Starts Here Recommendations
Below are the tried and true products and services that have helped us better navigate and improve our adulting journey. See what relevant products and services speak to you.
Full disclosure: At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you sign up for some of the products listed below using our links. And for that, we thank you! For others, we won’t receive any money at all – we’re just telling you about them because we happen to think they’re helpful. See our disclosure for details.
Financial Stuff We Recommend
YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Take the reins of your finances. Start with tracking and budgeting your monthly spending – it’s the key to unlocking control. I use an intuitive service called YNAB.
It allows me to take control of my finances by simplifying my spending and savings with a clear organizational plan on both desktop and mobile. Here’s my full write-up on why I enjoy YNAB. If interested, click this button to start your journey with a free 34-day trial. It’s easy—no credit card or commitment required.
Chase Credit Cards
I’ve found that almost always, strategic credit card use offers better returns on my dollars spent.
Strategic credit card use can aid in budgeting and expense tracking, earning rewards, and building a strong credit score.
Chase Credit Cards have treated me well. So they might be a good place to start your credit card journey.
High Yield Savings Account
Give your money a raise! Open a high-yield savings account and watch your cash grow effortlessly. Ditch the “money graveyard” of a regular savings account and start giving your hard-earned dollars a vacation in a high-yield haven.
I really like Ally Bank’s Personal Savings Accounts which consistently offer a great interest savings rate. Plus, with Ally Bank’s seamless setup and intuitive interface, you’ll find it’s never been easier to manage your savings and grow your financial future.
M1 Finance Retirement Planning
Skip the retirement far-off blues, and start building your nest egg now! 🪶 I’m using M1 Finance as my budget-friendly investing platform to build a simple, effective retirement portfolio. M1 Finance offers everything complimentary to young adults just starting their financial journey.
Ready to join me on this journey? Sign up for M1 Finance using the button below and get up to a $250 investment bonus!
If interested, click the button below to sign up and get your first month free.
Cell Phone Service
Google Fi Wireless has been my service provider for almost a decade now. As a young adult and frequent traveler, it is great for staying connected in the US and abroad at an affordable rate. I’ve been able to travel to multiple continents without needing to buy a new sim card or change my phone number. My phone just simply works wherever I go. Google Fi Wireless offers 3 simple plans to meet all of your cell service needs with the simplest plan starting at $20 a month.
If interested, click the button below to sign up and get 30 free days!
VPN Service
ExpressVPN is my go-to VPN service. It hides your online activity from ISPs, governments, and hackers and secures your internet connection on public Wi-Fi. You can also use it to unblock websites.
Moving Out On Your Own
I know moving out is eventually a major part of every new adult’s life. So with that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite items that have significantly impacted our adulting journey – all curated around the idea of making your first home as comfortable and “you” as it can be.
I love Our Place! I am slowly replacing all of my cookware with Our Place products. They offer some of the best non-toxic kitchen essentials. From kitchen appliances to baking sets you can get everything you need for your kitchen at Our Place.
The Thuma Bed is an excellent bedframe for convenience and longevity. It is extremely easy to assemble and like other Thuma products offers modularity so you can curate the bedroom of your dreams.
The Avocado Green Mattress is where “comfort sleeping” begins and ends. It is an organic, eco-friendly mattress with no chemical flame retardants. You can sleep well knowing that you are not breathing in forever chemicals and microplastics. The price is higher than I would usually go for, but we spend half our lives asleep – so I’m willing to invest in the comfort of half my life.
I furnished my first apartment solely with Ikea products. I mean everything down to the forks and spoons – all for just $1000. Ikea is a great way to acquire the essentials you need at an affordable cost. I would be lying though to say that these products lasted multiple years. So do factor in the longevity of the products that you seek to buy.
We all know about Amazon, so I will keep this short. Use Amazon as a way to build convenience and simplify some of the repetitive shopping. For example, if you need to buy toilet paper every month, create that Amazon subscription. It can also help you budget for household goods because you’ll know how much you are spending and how often.
Who doesn’t love a fun HomeGoods run!? HomeGoods is an outstanding place to find decorations and other trinkets to make your apartment a home. They also have a killer candy section. Be sure to check out your local HomeGoods for whatever you can think of home-wise!
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