Are you still living at home with your parents but really want to get out on your own and get an apartment? Although it may sound like a lot of work, it is actually easier than it seems. Plus, if you do it right your move will go easily and you will have plenty of money in the bank to cover all your expenses. Here are some tips for getting ready to move out of your parent’s house.

#1 – Get a Job

If you don’t already have a job the very first thing you need to do it get one. Try checking the classified ads in your local paper, or look on Craigslist for jobs in your area. Also, remember that a lot of places don’t advertise that they are hiring. Think about places you would like to work or places that are easy for you to get to and then go around to each asking if they are hiring. Many potential bosses love this since it shows that you are motivated and it can help increase your chances of getting hired.

#2 – Start Saving

Whether you already have a job or are going to get a new one, now is the time to buckle down and start saving some money…you are going to need it! Think about what you spend your money on right now and come up with a list of things you could do without or could cut back on. Take all the money you would have spent on those things and start putting it away in a savings account to cover your expenses when you move out. The more money you have saved the easier it will be for you to make the move.

#3 – Make a Budget

You may not know exactly how much you will need to spend on rent each month, but you can estimate based on what other apartments are renting for in your area. Estimate how much money you will need for the following expenses:

One-Time Expenses

• Application Fees
• Security Deposit
• First and Last Month’s Rent
• Connecting Utilities or Utility Deposits
• Moving Expenses
• Furniture, Dishes, etc. for getting your apartment set up

Monthly Expense

• Food
• Gas
• Utilities
• Monthly rent
• Fun/Entertainment

If you have trouble coming up with numbers for these things have your parents or some of your friends who are already out on their own help you. Make sure you really think through absolutely everything you could have to spend money on so you are prepared.

#4 – Get Your Credit in Order

If you have credit cards in your name, pay down the balances. This can help your credit score. Make sure you aren’t late with payments on anything. If you don’t have credit yet then staying at your job for several months will help you to look more stable to a potential landlord. They will check your credit when you apply for an apartment, so make sure everything is in order.

#5 – Figure Out Where You Want to Live

Think about where in town you want to live and start keeping your eyes peeled for apartments opening in the area. When you have your finances in order and everything in place, go ahead and start applying for apartments. Before you know it you will be out on your own.

No doubt about it, watching movies and viewing pictures in 3D is a lot of fun. The images seem to jump off the screen thanks to a special filming process and the use of 3D glasses.

These special glasses allow each eye to see a slightly different version of the same picture. The brain then takes these two versions of the same image and combines them into one, creating a 3 dimensional effect.

You can buy 3D glasses at the store, but they are really easy and cheap to make on your own as well. The best part of making your own is that you can customize them and decorate them however you want to come up with your own special pair.

This is a great project for kids and can be a lot of fun for adults, too. Here are some instructions on how to make your own 3-D glasses.

Supplies:

• Red & Blue Acetate Sheets (get these at your local craft store)
• Poster Board or Card Stock
• Clear Tape
• Scissors

You can either draw your own pattern or download a free glasses pattern from the NASA website here: http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/img/glasses.pdf

If you download and print the pattern from NASA, cut out the pieces, including the eye holes, and tape the ear pieces to the center piece. This will become your template for cutting out your glasses. If you want you can also vary the shape and make your glasses unique rather than sticking totally to the pattern.

Once you have your pattern put together, set it on your card stock or poster board and trace around it. Cut around the outline you just drew – don’t forget to cut out the eye holes! To cut the eyes out, poke a hole in the middle of the eye with your scissors and then cut outward from there rather than cutting through the outside of your frames.

Next, cut one pieces of red acetate and one piece of blue acetate big enough to cover the eye holes. Make sure that the pieces are slightly larger than the holes so there are no gaps or openings.

Tape the red acetate to one eye hole and the blue acetate to the other, taking care not to let any of the tape cover or show through the eye opening. You want to be able to see clearly through each eye hole without the tape getting in the way.

Finally, decorate your glasses. You can color them with markers or crayons, glue glitter or other decorations on them or just about anything else you can think of. When you are done find a great 3-D movie to rent or check out some fun 3D pictures and games online.