Living on own 1st time ever -top tips

[DoubtjngThomas]

So after 30 years of marriage I find myself on my own with DD in a very old rented house. Ex was rubbish on an emotional level but did the lions share of house/car maintenance.

What are your top tips on making life as simple and safe as possible for myself and prepared in emergencies?

So far I have

Bought car breakdown cover
Candles and matches in case of power cuts
Taken meter readings for gas/electricity
Ordered broadband (although already been told issues with connection)
Ordered logs for the fire
Spare house key cut for my sister just in case of emergencies

What else can I do to make me feel less anxious about doing this on my own?

Contents insurance for your furniture/belongings?

Oh yes. Need to do that

Probably for your landlord but are Carbon Monoxide detector and smoke alarms, gas boiler working? Is chimney swept and gutters cleared?

Fresh start and exciting times pending for you and your daughter!

Do you have an alarm or a ring doorbell? That would be my number 1 to start with.

Basic tool kit such as a drill, screw drivers and a hammer etc for diy

Look around for a cheap gardener who can mow and strim the lawn before winter then you can forget about it until next spring.

Power banks for devices in case of a power cut.

i know you have logs but you’ll need a decent stock of kindling, fire lighters and a long refillable lighter too.

Oh and lastly, treats and wine for the low days 💕

Fire angel monitors everywhere? Think they are for carbon monoxide?

Wishing you all the best for your future - you deserve every happiness 💐

Thank you so much. Ex took all the stash of tools so need to get myself a basic kit - and learn how to use them!!

Wine is the one thing in plentiful supply

Having a radio on late at night keeps you company, especially if you are on your own.

Should be carbon monoxide detector near boiler. Fire angel also do them

Already had a power cut but figured out it was the cooker and got power back on

If you can afford it get home emergency cover. It comes with my bank account and includes 24hr cover for stuff like leaks, boiler breakdown, power cuts.

Our boiler broke during lockdown and it paid for a hotel room nearby for us to shower and repair.
My shower leaked and they sent someone to make it water tight. And an emergency patch on the roof after a storm.

Triple check all doors and windows secure at night

Big torch and batteries

My CO monitor by fire angel

Light bulbs! Try and get into a routine and see this as your new home, look for positives and happy moments for your DD's sake as much as your own. Good luck, you've got this! X

Timer for lights to come on

Honestly. Relax and enjoy. :) you've got this.

some tips.
know where the water stop tap is, just so you can turn water off in seconds if needed.
keep a torch handy upstairs as well as down.
get car booked in for a service every year
get a tyre pressure blow up pump that works from your car.

Have a coffee, look around and know you can do this. If you can't, google can always give you an answer, and someone will always do stuff for money if it's beyond you.

Make sure you know where gas/electric/water meters and fuse box with trip switches are.

Best thing I bought was a tyre pressure pump you can use by plugging in to the car so you don’t have to go to a garage.

Congratulations!

-Spare light bulbs. Electric extention cable on a windy uppy roll for vacuming the car.
-A list with emergency numbers of eg plumber, electrician, odd job person.

• get your car tagged if you have one in case of theft, and get a box to label and store spare keys in.

-set reminders on your phone a month before gas,electric, car insurance etc are due so you have time to change/renew them without losing headspace. Life insurance and pension?

cosy electric candles and a big cosy fluffy throw to hug in case you have a low moment during the colder months.

Set up online reminders for paying car tax, this might also work for MOT.

And have fun doing things your way 😊

If it feels quiet to start with, leave some music or the telly on in the background.
I was paranoid about locking myself in a room when I was home alone (it happened to a friend!) so when it's just me home I leave all the doors open.
Focus on the exciting new stuff too. No need to compromise about what's for tea or how to decorate. It's your own little empire!

When it comes to DIY YouTube is your friend. There's a video for everything.

Update the electoral register
Update HMRC / Inland Revenue
Update your address with the DVLA for both your driving license and your car registration logbook
Update your bank
Register with a doctor, dentist and optician (if necessary)

Don't forget to colonise the centre of the bed.

Buy a new board game for Autumn.

What are the best online reminder apps? Bit of a dinosaur with my phone