10 life skills you need to have before going solo.

Skill #1: Laundry
Pro tips: Sort dark and colorful clothes from whites; check care tags; wash most things in cold water; more detergent is not better; don’t use fabric softener on towels; fold clothes immediately; buy a steamer to avoid ironing.

Skill #2: Cooking
Pro tips: Learn basic cooking techniques that will work with a variety of foods (see page 55); buy a quality chef’s knife from a restaurant supply store; keep basics such as oil, salt, pepper, pasta, canned beans in stock; prep everything before cooking.

Skill #3: Self-Care
Pro tips: Think of therapy as maintenance, not an emergency service; build a basic daily routine, even on weekends; aim for 7-9 quality hours of quality sleep; identify two to three people you can call for chats, support or practical help; schedule tech-free time each day.

Skill #4: Finances
Pro tips: Make a reasonable budget (see “Spending and Saving Responsibly”); keep track of spending; save whatever you can; anticipate special occasions such as birthdays, holidays and vacations.

Skill #5: Health Care
Pro tips: Understand your deductibles, copays and coverage; keep your insurance card in your wallet; establish a primary care doctor; keep a list of your medications and allergies; use the emergency room only for true emergencies.

Skill #6: First Aid
Pro tips: Stock first aid kits in your house and car. Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, tweezers, gauze pads, small scissors and an elastic bandage; know where the nearest urgent care center is; consider taking an American Red Cross first aid and CPR class, which is often offered free through local fire departments or community centers.

Skill #7: Changing a Tire
Know your car before you drive! Do you know how to access the spare tire and tire iron? Do you know where to place the jack?

Pro tips: Pull over to shoulder; loosen the lug nuts before jacking up the car (you may have to step on tire iron to move it); place the jack near the flat tire; swap flat tire with spare; replace lug nuts and tighten in a star pattern; lower the car; stow tools; drive slowly.

Skill #8: Car Maintenance
Pro tips: Check the suggested tire pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s door; change the oil according to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule (older vehicles using conventional oil typically need an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while vehicles using synthetic oil generally need one every 6 to 12 months); stick to the service schedule in the owner’s manual; keep the gas tank at least one-quarter full (frequently running on empty destroys fuel pump); keep registration and proof of insurance in glove box.

Skill #9: Renting
Pro tips: Read the entire lease before signing, especially the early termination policy; snap pics of any pre-existing damage on move-in day; pay your rent on time to build positive rental history and credit; notify landlord of necessary repairs instead of waiting until you move out.

Skill #10: Minor Repairs
Pro tips: For a clogged toilet, turn off the water supply behind the toilet, plunge it (toilet plungers and sink plungers are different!), then use a drain snake if needed. For a small hole in the wall, apply spackling paste, let dry, sand it smooth and paint. If part of your home loses power, hit the reset button on the outlet (for small appliances, hair dryers, etc.), then check the circuit breaker and reset it by switching it off and back on.