While having a stable relationship can be a source of wealth in your life, sticking to each other without being able to function on your own is simply morbid. Those who are independent and autonomous usually survive and function better in society than those who make their happiness and livelihood dependent on others. Taking control of basic activities and skills will not only help you take control of your life, it will also help make you a happier person.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to manage money
What happens to those who put their heads in the sand when it comes to finance? Usually those who allow someone else to manage money end up having debt or little financial knowledge on how to manage finances, in the event that the other person no longer deals with it (due to a divorce or death).
- Get out of debt. Make financial webs disappear by getting rid of all debt. In some cases, having a mortgage can favor the interest rate you have in the bank, but the burden of credit card charges only gives you a big headache. Create a plan for how you'll pay those card charges, for example by transferring your balance to a lower interest card, redesigning your monthly budget to place more funds for card payments, or consolidating your cards into one low-rate payment. 'interest.
- Pay in cash instead of using a credit card. As you pay your paper debt in cash, resist the temptation to add more to the total. The only way to get out of debt is to decrease the amount you have generated in the past. While paying your debts in cash, if you don't have any to cover the costs, avoid the expenses.
- Get yourself a home. Build up some credit and a fortune by owning a portion of the property if you can. Look for homes or condos that fit your budget (you shouldn't look for a property that exceeds 28% of your monthly income).
- Live within your means. Create a monthly budget and stick to it. If you don't know where your money is going each month, check your out-of-pocket expenses (rent / mortgage, services, insurance, taxes) along with outings for food, shopping, gas and entertainment. By looking at your expenses on paper along with your monthly income, you can become more aware of what you can and cannot afford.
- Always keep cash on hand. Make paying with cash easier by always having some on hand. However, try to keep your cash in a safe place where no one else can use or lose it.
Step 2. Prepare your meals at home
Being your own cook has its advantages. In addition to being autonomous, preparing meals allows you to save money and eat healthier.
- Take lessons or learn online (or on television). If even entering the kitchen gives you hives, you could take beginner classes at some local school or follow a cook on one of the cooking channels. Several famous cooks are guests on TV to show simple recipes that can be prepared by even the most fearful cooks.
- Ask a family member for help. Learning to cook from a family member will not only help you with the basics, but maybe it will also help you prepare family recipes passed from one generation to the next.
- Compare the health and economic benefits of eating at home. Calculate how much it costs you to eat out during the week compared to cooking at home. Do you save money? Have you noticed that your pants fit a little bit looser?
- Create a vegetable garden. A fun way to foster independence is to grow your own food. A vegetable garden provides an inexpensive and interactive way to produce fruit and vegetables according to the seasons that will also give you more satisfaction when you can taste the produce.
Step 3. Master the basics of emergency situations
Knowing what to do in a health-threatening situation can help save a life. Instead of waiting, wringing your hands and hoping that the ambulance will arrive immediately to save you or another person, you could take action.
- Take a resuscitation class. Several schools and companies offer resuscitation and first aid courses.
- Learn what needs to be done in an emergency situation. Would you know what to do if you were camping in the woods and a snake bit a friend? Knowing how to deal with the “what to do if” scenario will make you the contact person in an emergency.
- Practice using devices that you are not very familiar with at first, such as syringes. Having to continually depend on a professional to have an injection or intravenous administration is not very convenient. Learn to use certain devices at home to be in control of the situation and have more independence.
Step 4. Understand the basics of mechanical repairs
Don't be the typical girl in trouble at the edge of the road when you puncture a wheel. Waiting for someone to help you could also put you in a vulnerable position, leaving you at the mercy of potential dangers.
- Learn to change a wheel. Anyone with a minimum of knowledge and skills can learn to change a wheel. Read your car's manual and ask a professional to show it to you.
- Find out how an engine works. Being able to examine and know when a belt is about to break and if you are about to have engine problems can save you not only time, but also money.
- Practice changing the car's oil and fluids. Car oil and fluids should be changed and topped up periodically. If you don't have time to go to the mechanic, you could do a simple oil change at home with the right material and knowledge.
Step 5. Try to disappear for a while
If you really want to assert your independence, try disappearing for a while. Save money by living away from the city and showing that you can live without anyone's help.
- Consider growing your own food. From the garden to berry and mushroom foraging, learn about the different types of foods you can grow and eat in nature. Be very careful when you have to eat something grown in nature, in fact some plants are poisonous.
- Experience alternative energy, such as solar or wind. Join the green initiatives and learn about the different alternative energy resources available today. You will save money and reduce your CO2 emissions.
- Communicate with friends and loved ones in the old way: in person. Even though many friends and family are scattered around the world, make an effort to meet those closest to you in person (rather than texting or emailing). Then go old school and handwrite letters to the furthest away loved ones. The time and effort you put into a handwritten letter will be worth much more than a quick message.
Step 6. Take care of your health
Try to avoid medical prescriptions and visits to the doctor for any pain. Respecting your body and treating it well will pay off abundantly.
- Exercise at least 5 times a week. Get your blood flowing and keep your tissues healthy by doing regular cardio or aerobic exercises. You will get your organs functioning well and you will develop muscles, depending on how often you go to the gym.
- Follow a healthy diet. Respecting your body means taking in healthy food, grown on your land and in its original state. Ditch the refined and fatty fast food foods, potato chips, sugary foods and drinks, to be able to nourish and preserve your body.
- See your doctor for a checkup before your condition gets worse. If you are a "regular" patient with your doctor due to some chronic problem, your visits may be reduced if you stick to a healthy diet and plenty of physical activity. However, you should continue to have regular checks and tests, depending on your age and risk factors.
- Know the signs of certain diseases. Sometimes people get seriously ill because they don't notice the meaning of a certain pain or symptom. If you know the risk factors and symptoms, you can discover a disease before it progresses and thus reduce the chance of complications.
Step 7. Take Your Responsibilities
Life is not just a game. If you want to get there, you will have to take responsibility. Doing simple things like paying bills on time, cleaning up what you dirty, and going to work or school on time can help. If you can't find work, you have a duty to look for one by studying or starting a business.
Step 8. Get informed
You should always be informed about everything. Meet your commitments and keep up to date on what can be used. If you study at school, you do more than what is asked of you. If you have a job, try to keep up to date with your profession. The internet is a great place to inform yourself. You can also use the local library.
Step 9. Know where you want to go
You should have a sense of direction. Something has to push you. For example, if you are in college you should at least have an idea of what you would like to do next. When you work, you should try to set goals, such as working for something you want to buy or saving money for difficult times.
Step 10. Make your own decisions
Only you can decide what you want to do in the future, no one else. Nobody else knows what you want.
Advice
- Learn something new every year. Whether it's learning how to weave baskets or giving your dog an intravenous administration, learning a new skill will add value to your baggage.
- Meet people of all types and backgrounds. You can learn a lot from others, so look for genuine people from different backgrounds and with different skills.
- Keep a home emergency kit that includes enough bottled water for a couple of days for all family members, non-perishable food, a radio, and a first aid kit.
- Be true to yourself. Don't try to change your personality to match the behavior of others. Stick to your basic goals and principles to maintain your independence.
