5 Reasons Living At Home After College Is The Smartest Thing You Can Do

I don't know if the rest of ya'll feel the same way, but for me, it seems like all of my peers immediately moved out from their parents' house as soon as they graduated college.

And I get it, because it's pretty much the normal thing to do. Heck, back in our parents' generation, people moved out at, like, 18 and managed to sustain themselves on their own.

The thing with our generation, though, is that with rent prices being insanely high in popular areas, 20-somethings graduate school with tons of debt, get their first job out of college and rent the first somewhat cute apartment they find in their area of choice (an area preferably close to their job) for a crazy high price.

Then (remember this is from my observations) after living on their own for a few years, they find themselves back home living with their parents because the cost of living was getting way too high and beyond their means.

Now, I'm not shaming everyone who rents in a pricey area after college, don't get me wrong.

I'm referring to those who most likely know they can't afford their living situation, yet they feel pressured to live on their own like it's the thing they're supposed to do once they're an "adult."

Personally, I don't find anything wrong with living at home until you feel you're financially comfortable and ready to live in a place of your own and here's why:

1. You'll actually be able to save and put away money.

So many of my friends who didn't think twice about moving out after college didn't save one dollar while living on their own in their early 20s.

Fresh out of school, drowning in student loan debt, going to happy hours at expensive bars and ordering takeout almost every night is not the recipe for saving money.

If your monthly rent is almost as much as your paycheck, do you really think you'll be able to put away any money for a "rainy day?" I think not.

When living at home with your parents, even if you have your own bills to pay or are in some kind of debt thanks to college, you're still saving a shit ton of money by not paying for half the stuff you'd be paying for when living on your own.

2. Your roommates, aka your family, will always be there for you after a long day.

If you lucked out with great people to live with as your roommates, go you! If you ended up with the short end of the stick and don't have the best roommate situation, you know how much it sucks.

However, if your roommates are your family, you'll always have an amazing support system to come home to after a long day.

Sometimes when I'm in a bad mood and take it out on my parents, they know exactly how to make me feel better (and a home cooked meal doesn't hurt, either).

I'm super close with both of my parents so I love nothing more than coming home, getting into my pjs and lounging on the couch with them catching up on each other's days and getting emotional over that night's episode of "This Is Us."

That right there is what gets me through my workdays.

3. You won't have to order takeout every night.  

When living at home you won't have to fret about what to have for dinner after a stressful day.

You won't have to order takeout every night, either. Living home with your family gives you a bit of a break. Now I'm not saying to take advantage of your family and let them wait on you.

Get in the kitchen and help out with cooking, dishes or anything to contribute. Let's not be lazy here.

4. You're doing what's best for you.

If it's your decision to live at home, don't let your friends or outside people influence your decision.

Trust me, you'll hear thousands of times,"When are you planning on moving out?" You still live home, your parents don't care?"

I've heard these questions so many times I'm at the point where I tune them out. Don't let people make you feel bad about living home as a millennial. You do you, and you'll move out when it's the right time.

5. Money won't be as much of an added stress.

When living at home right after college, you'll be able to focus on getting yourself financially stable and getting your money priorities in check.

Have student loans? Start paying them off when you start earning some money. Be smart with your money. You might not be paying rent or paying for utilities, but that doesn't mean you should be blowing through your paychecks and not being smart about your finances.

My fellow millennials, being a 23-year-old who currently still lives at home (I write this as I'm back on the couch with my parents), I couldn't be happier with my decision.

I'm just starting out in my career, so saving money on rent is a huge help. Now, if you choose to live at home, don't be a moocher.

As I mentioned earlier, help out around the house. Go grocery shopping, help out with dinner, keep your room clean. Be thankful for your parents. Because if they're there to support you and provide you with a roof above your head as long as you need, they're pretty awesome parents.