Living on your own for the first time? Some tips, from personal experience:

Plan ahead. Buy a toilet plunger before something goes wrong.

If you drive a nice car, full coverage insurance is a must — especially if you live in a high-traffic area.

Find out from your landlord whether city utilities — water, trash and sewer — are included in your rent.

Listen to any advice your parents give you. They speak from experience.

Pick roommates that you know well and trust.

Bum as many kitchen accessories as possible from your parents.

Take photos of anything broken on the day you move in. Keep them as insurance for your security deposit.

Buy plastic weather-proofing for your windows — it will save you serious money on your heating bill.

Make friends with people who own pickup trucks.

If you’re strapped for cash, spend the summer scouring for discarded furniture. You can find some good stuff, and there’s often nothing wrong with it.