With planning, discipline, and a few positive money habits, you can build the foundation you need to get (and stay) financially independent from your parents. The freedom to do what you want, when you want, is exciting, and financial responsibility is often the last thing tying you to parental control. However, the idea of doing things like paying your own rent, signing a lease, and managing bills may feel overwhelming.
Here are some steps you can take to become financially independent from your parents.
Key Takeaways
- Opening savings and checking accounts is a key first step to managing your own finances.
- You can remain on a parent’s health insurance plan until age 26.
- After age 26, you can purchase a student health plan, enroll in insurance through your employer, or buy insurance via the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- One budgeting method to consider is the 50/30/20 rule, which will help you plan by allocating 50% of after-tax income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings.
- Start building up an emergency fund to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses.
7 Steps to Reach Financial Independence
Whether you’re recently graduated from high school or college, or just dreaming of a new beginning, the road to financial independence is a journey. The path looks different for everyone, but here are seven steps you can take to set yourself up for long-term financial independence.
1. Set Up Your Own Bank Accounts
Having a bank account is key to taking control over your own finances. You’ll need it to pay rent and put utilities in your name, when that time comes. Opening a checking account will enable you to pay bills, and opening a savings account is the first step to putting aside funds to reach longer-term savings goals.
Setting up your own bank accounts (savings and checking) before the end of high school or college, and starting by depositing money from family or a summer job, can give you get a head start on reaching financial independence. It actually may be easier when you’re living under your parents’ roof to save that money, since you may have fewer expenses.
If you’re under the age of 18 (or 21, in some states) or if your parents want to have some involvement at the start of your financial journey, you can open a custodial account with them. This account is set up and administered by an adult for a minor, and then once the minor turns of age, account management is transferred to them.
Most bank accounts include online and mobile account access so you can monitor your income and expenses. You can also set up automatic payments for recurring bills and account alerts to prevent fraud. Shop around at different banks to find accounts that fit your needs, such as those with no fees or competitive interest rates.
2. Analyze Your Spending and Create a Budget
Becoming financially independent from your parents means paying for your own bills, including your cellphone or internet services, car insurance, and Netflix, Spotify, or other subscription services you might have. By creating a budget, you can visually confirm that you are not spending more than you earn by focusing on making sure the largest, most important bills are covered first. Otherwise, you could end up in debt or living paycheck to paycheck.
The 50/30/20 rule is one of the easiest frameworks for budgeting, but you can also think of it as a spending plan. You put 50% of your after-tax income toward needs (like rent and bills), 30% toward wants (entertainment, restaurants, etc.), and 20% toward savings and debt repayments.
Keep in mind that this 50/30/20 rule is not set in stone, and it may not work for everyone's situation. For example, if you don't have an emergency fund (which we'll talk about under #4 below), it may be prudent to decrease your 'wants' allocation and increase your savings allocation. In the future, when you have a sufficient emergency fund, that may be a better time to splurge on non-necessities.
Tip
If you can’t afford all your monthly, necessary expenses (rent, groceries, insurance, minimum debt payments), look for ways to cut costs and/or increase your income. For example, you may make a conscious effort to eat out less or turn your crafty hobby into a side hustle.
3. Review Health Insurance Options
If you’re on a parent’s health insurance, you can stay on that plan until you turn 26 (in most cases). While this, of course, means you are not technically independent of them, it’s a nice perk and benefit that will help you save some funds on necessary health expenses. After you turn 26, you have a few options:
- Get a job-based health insurance plan through your employer (you may need to pay a share of the cost).
- Purchase your own plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.
- If you’re a student, you may be able to get affordable basic insurance coverage through the school’s student health plan. You can also enroll in a student health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
- For young adults with low income or other hardships, you may qualify for a discounted plan with Medicaid or a catastrophic plan.
4. Start an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is your safety net for unexpected things in life, like car repairs, a medical emergency, or a job loss. A common rule of thumb for emergency funds is to put away enough to cover three to six months of expenses, although the exact amount you will need will depend on your financial situation. So, if your monthly cost for rent, groceries, gas, electricity, and water is $1,000, consider building an emergency fund of $3,000 to $6,000.
If you have no savings, you can start small, putting aside a little from each paycheck into a high-yield savings account. Even putting aside a little bit each month contributes to your financial well-being; eventually, you can aim to build up to the amount needed for about three to six months of essential expenses. Having a financial cushion protects you from turning to credit cards or dipping into your savings when an unplanned expense pops up.
Keep in mind that an emergency fund serves two main purposes. First, it can help you pay down unexpected bills as they come up. For instance, your car may have an unexpected issue arise; having an emergency fund lets you keep your car running (which may be essential). Second, an emergency fund can actually save you money in the future. By avoiding having to put something on a credit card or having to take out a short-term personal loan, you can avoid debt and its associated interest charges.
5. Save for Financial Goals
If you want to move into your own place, buy a car, or pay for college, make it a savings goal. By setting a financial goal, you have something to work toward, which is often a key component of reaching financial success.
For example, let’s say you want to move out of your parents’ home after you graduate from college and move into an apartment. You can research rental prices in the area where you want to live by looking at rental websites, calling apartment complexes, or talking to a real estate agent. Then, calculate what you might need to pay each month, including costs for a security deposit, new furniture, or a moving service.
Once you have a plan of how much you need to save to reach your goal, you can create a timeline and work backward from there. Say you want that apartment in exactly one year. You’ll need to calculate exactly how much money you need to save, per month, until that deadline.
Note
You can set up automatic transfers to move money toward your savings goal each month. Some banks allow you to create different “buckets” for different goals, too.
6. Build Your Credit
Many milestones in life, such as buying a house or leasing a car, require you to show credit history. If you have a low credit score or nonexistent credit history, you’ll find it harder to get approved. Otherwise, you may have to pay higher interest rates.
The way you establish a history and build your credit score is by using credit responsibly over time. First, get a free credit report, even if you’ve never had a credit card. This report checks with the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to make sure there are no open files using your name and Social Security number. You can check your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Next, make sure your bank account is set up. Then, apply for a student or secured credit card to start building your credit. Use the card for small purchases that you can pay off each month. Keep your balance low relative to your credit limits, ideally 30% or less of your limit. And make absolutely sure to pay on time each month—payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score.
7. Commit to Paying Off Student Debt
Student loan debt in the United States was $1.6 trillion as of the fourth quarter of 2023, according to Federal Reserve statistics. If you have student loan debt or plan to use financial aid to pay for college, you need to also make a plan for repayment.
First, understand the loan obligations before you borrow, including the impact of interest on the final balance. Depending on your repayment plan, it can take 10 to 30 years on average to pay back your student loans.
Here are some tips to tackling student debt:
- Understand your repayment options.
- Use a loan simulator to estimate your future monthly and overall payments.
- See if you’re eligible for scholarships, or grants like Pell and TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grants.
- See if you qualify to have your loan canceled, forgiven, or discharged based on your profession or other special circ*mstances.
- Look into whether consolidation can save you money.
When to Accept Financial Help
When you’re trying to be financially independent, you may wonder when it’s appropriate to accept monetary help from your parents or someone else. It’s a complex question with many variables. There’s a big difference between sharing your parents’ streaming service membership and accepting a down payment on a house, for example.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Is the financial help coming from a trusted source, like a parent or other family member? Or is it from a less reliable source, like a friend or stranger?
- Will accepting help put the other person’s savings, investments, and financial well-being at risk?
- Will the assistance help your goal of long-term financial independence, or will it put you at risk of dependency on others?
Before you decide to accept help, make sure the terms are clearly laid out, including whether it’s a loan or a gift. If it’s a loan, be sure to note the amount, time frame to pay back, and at what interest rate, if any. Evaluate whether the terms are competitive and fit your needs, and whether you can realistically pay back the loan in the given time frame.
At What Age Do Most People Become Financially Independent from Their Parents?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some people begin covering all their own living expenses starting from age 18. Others become financially independent in their 20s or 30s.
A recent Pew Research Center study found that a majority of young adults are still living with their parents. And, according to an Experian survey, 61% of Gen Z and 47% of millennials said they are “somewhat or very” financially dependent on their parents.
What Is the Fastest Way to Become Financially Independent?
The fastest way to become financially independent is to establish a budget that aims to maximize your income and minimize your expenses. Paying down debt, building savings, and reducing your expenses can help you become financially independent faster. You’ll also want to get your own bank accounts and credit card and use them responsibly.
How Long Does It Take to Become Financially Independent?
The amount of time it will take you to become financially independent will depend on several factors, including the amount of expenses you have. This includes your debt payments. It will also depend on how much money you are making. You can potentially increase your income by taking a side job.
The Bottom Line
Becoming financially independent from your parents is a gradual process, and there may be some bumps along the way. With the right planning and some financial education, getting financially free is a realistic goal, even at a young age. Don’t be afraid to take it slowly, taking on more financial responsibility over time.
