#I personally thought that the bags rotisserie chickens come in were waterproof/gravy-proof so I put it right on my bed to snack from

[catsconflictscopicsandchamomile]

INVEST IN A MATTRESS COVER.

you WILL spill something on your mattress. you WILL eventually have a week where you're too busy for laundry, your sheets are disgusting (GET MORE THAN 2 SETS OF SHEETS AS WELL. ONLY 1 OR 2 SETS NEED TO BE DECENT QUALITY. BIG THRIFT STORES HAVE BEDCLOTHES SECTIONS), and you end up sleeping on a bare mattress for a few weeks.

when these things happen, your mattress will likely, at least once, end up

STINKING.

and it will either be unfixable, require a big ass appliance rental to clean, or take a solid 2.5 weeks of constant rotation in front of a fan with the windows open, hunter grade odor-killing detergent, lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda and prayer (....I went w the last method)

however, if you have just a cheap waterproof mattress cover over your mattress, this whole crisis just turned into "throw the topper in the laundry and you're good to go". I know its a bit pricey ($20-50), I know its embarrassing to buy something advertised towards incontinent old people, young kids and people with messy pets.

...however, especially if you're autistic/adhd/literally just a busy person/no FUCK that actually, even if you're the most abled organized and chilled out person ever, this is still smart to do bc stuff HAPPENS

a mattress cover, as long as its waterproof and machine-washable, could save you having to get a new mattress. and not having to buy a new mattress is worth $20-50

....anyway wordy asf post but SERIOUSLY. GET ONE. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU WILL NEVER EVER RUN INTO THESE TYPES OF ISSUE IT IS *SO MUCH BETTER* TO BE SAFE OR SORRY

things i wish i had known when i escaped my family household and couldn't ask my parents for help

invest in a good mattress early on. there are many other ends you can save on - sleep is not one of them. this is key to how much energy you'll have throughout the day

you don't need a bedframe but you do need a slatted bed base (even if it's just pallets)

opening a bank account is easy

there's youtube tutorials for everything. how to install your washing machine, how to use tools, fixing stuff around the place. channels like dad, how do i? are a godsend

change energy provider as soon as your old deal runs out. you'll get better offers elsewhere and avoid price gouging

assemble a basic first aid kid at home: painkillers, probiotics, alcohol wipes, bandages, tweezers, antihistamine tablets - anything you might need in a pinch

and an emergency toolkit: flashlight, extra batteries, a utility knife, an adjustable wrench, multi-tool, duct tape

set your fridge to the lowest temperature it can go. the energy consumption is minimal in difference and it'll give you +4/7 days on most foods

off-brand products are almost always the same in quality and taste, if not better, for half the price

coupons will save you a lot of money in the long run

there's no reason to be shy around employees at the bank/laundromat/store; most people will be happy to help

vegetarian diets are generally cheap if you make food from scratch

breakfast is as important as they say

keep track of your budget in a notebook or excel file - e.g. rent, phone and internet bills, food, leisure so you'll have an overlook on your spending over the months

don't gamble

piracy is okay

stealing from big stores and chains is also ethically okay

keep medical bills and pharmacy receipts for tax returns

also, file your tax returns early

take up a hobby that isn't in front of a screen. pottery, music, going for a run every now and then, stuff that'll keep you busy and sane

and most importantly... you're allowed to get the stuff you want. treat yourself to the occasional mundane thing. a good scented candle. a bath bomb. that body lotion that makes you feel like royalty. the good coffee beans.

you're free and you deserve to be happy.