Start here · 10 lessons
I just moved out.
You have keys, bills and a fridge to fill. Take these in order. One a day is plenty. Ticking “Done” is saved only on this device.
- Your first lease
Read every page before you sign.
- Your first budget in 20 minutes
Write down your monthly take-home pay, list your bills and spending, and subtract.
- Renters insurance
Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your stuff.
- Your rights as a tenant
Federal law bans housing discrimination, your state sets most other tenant rules, and if a screening report gets you denied you can see and dispute it.
- Testing your smoke alarms
Press the test button on every smoke alarm once a month, and replace the whole alarm 10 years after the date it was made.
- Finding your water shutoff and breaker panel
Find the main water shutoff and the breaker panel before anything goes wrong.
- Fixing a running toilet
Most running toilets come down to a worn flapper or a float set too high.
- Getting through a power outage
Keep the fridge and freezer closed, unplug electronics, and never run a generator or grill indoors.
- Food safety basics
Clean, separate, cook, chill.
- Spotting a scam text or call
Real companies don't rush you or ask for gift cards, wire transfers or crypto.