Adulting with Harlan L. Landes and Miranda Marquit

Are you ready to move into your own place? Chances are that your first place will be a little on the shabby side — at least it should be if you want to say that you really did it right.

Before you move out, make sure you have an idea of what you’re getting into. In this episode we talk about what you need to know when you get into your first place, from how to choose a location, how to make sure you have enough money, and what you need to look for in your lease. We’ll even tackle the thorny issues related to roommates.

Concepts

* Can you afford to get your own place?

* Tips to make your first place more affordable.

* Reasons to consider something cheap to start.

* What you need to know about signing your first lease.

* How to look for a good roommate.

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

A look at millennials and moving out.

What’s the meaning of life? The reality is that the answer is a little more complex than 42.

Join us as we explore the meaning of life — and how you can bring your own meaning to your days through exploring your purpose and the larger things you’d like to do with your time.

This episode offers steps you can take to find your own purpose and begin moving forward to create a life that you enjoy and feel good about.

Concepts

* What is the meaning of life?

* Why are we so interested in finding a higher purpose to life?

* Are there steps you can take to learn how to find your own meaning to life?

* How a life map can help you identify what matters most to you.

* Reasons to think about your legacy.

Don’t forget to create a life map by using a process described by Harlan. His own life map is interesting — and can offer you inspiration as you search for your own purpose in life.

Video Clips

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

Find more meaning in your life.

Find purpose in your career.

Insight from Leo Tolstoy’s spiritual crisis.

Overview of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Could cheat days actually help you accomplish your goals?

We praise self-discipline a great deal, and even we acknowledge that sometimes you just have to suck it up and do what you need to do. However, there are times that cheating a little can help you accomplish your goals.

Before you decide that you can’t have any fun, consider that adding cheat days to your routine could actually help you in the long run.

Concepts

* What are cheat days?

* Should you even use the term cheat days? What does it imply when you think that your life is no fun?

* How can fudging a little on your discipline help you accomplish your overall goals?

* Tips for making cheat days more effective.

Video Clips

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

Information from the APA at about will power and its limits.

University College of London busts the myth of the 21 day habit formation.

My Fitness Pal breaks down the problems with cheat days and how they can slow you down.

WebMD explains how to use cheat days to boost your willpower and reach your goals.

We’re taught to fear being alone, but it’s actually healthy adult behavior to enjoy some down time without others around.

However, there is a difference between being lonely and being alone. If you want to enjoy being alone, it’s important to get to know yourself — and find worthwhile activities to fill the hours.

In this episode we’ll talk about how to learn to enjoy being alone, and how to balance that with the need for social interaction.

Listen for the Do Nows that will help you find alone time no matter how busy you are, as well as help you figure out what you like about yourself.

Concepts

* What is the difference between being lonely and being alone?

* Is it possible to enjoy being alone?

* How can you get to know and life yourself better?

* What activities are best for when you’re alone?

* How do you balance alone time with social obligations?

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

The importance of being alone and learning to love yourself

How you can enjoy being alone without feeling lonely

Are you a cheap holiday Grinch?

As an adult, you need to realize that you have responsibilities to others. During the holidays, society expects you to give to others and tips a little extra. You don’t want to be the cheap holiday Grinch that others despise.

We take a look at giving, how to properly tip, and what it means to spread holiday cheer.

Our Do Nows help you identify who needs a tip, as well as strategies to help you enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank.

Concepts

* The realities of holiday tipping in our society.

* Who should you be tipping? And how much should you give?

* What makes you a cheap holiday grinch?

* How to enjoy time with family and friends during the holidays without spending more than you can afford.

* Tips for writing a holiday note or card to add extra holiday cheer.

* How to maintain relationships throughout the year.

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

Inexpensive and easy DIY gift ideas for the holidays.

Visit the Emily Post Institute for tipping etiquette

Too often, the holidays turn into a time of stress as we try to live up to expectations from family and friends.

While it’s preferable to avoid a holiday showdown, sometimes it can’t be avoided. In this episode, we talk about how to figure out what matters this holiday season, as well as how to set boundaries.

How much is too much this holiday season? And can you draw the line without it turning into a holiday showdown? Our Do Nows help you learn how to set healthy boundaries, as well as identify the biggest stressors that could be dragging you down.

Concepts

* Reasons the holidays can be very stressful.

* What are some of things we do to satisfy others during the holidays?

* What things are likely to result in a holiday showdown?

* How to prioritize holiday gatherings.

* Tips for setting healthy boundaries — and respecting others’ boundaries.

* Handling gifts and exchanges.

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

Understanding and dealing with family relationships during the holiday season

Tips for building and preserving better boundaries

As a kid, the holidays are a time of fun. After all, you get presents, candy, and time off school. Holiday hijinks are a part of growing up.

Adults, though, need to learn how to change their view of the holidays. The things that were funny when you’re a kid are no longer in force. Plus no one thinks it’s fun to buy you presents anymore.

You can still enjoy the holiday season as an adult, but you do need to adjust your expectations.

Use our Do Nows to help you evaluate what you want out of the holidays, as well as learn strategies for putting together a budget-friendly gift exchange.

Concepts

* Just because we’re asked to find the child within during the holidays doesn’t mean you should act like a child.

* What are some of the holiday hijinks you should avoid as an adult?

* What are some of the things adults are expected to do during the holidays?

* How to handle gift exchanges with family and with coworkers.

* Why it’s important to determine what the holidays mean to you so you can set boundaries.

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

As an adult, it’s time to start thinking about money and the future. If you want build a secure future, investing is important.

It’s scary to start investing, though. It can be intimidating to figure out which stocks to pick. Plus, how can you get started when you don’t have a lot of money?

In this episode we talk about how you can start investing, no matter how little you have. We also share tips for choosing investments that are a little less risky, and can help you begin taking advantage of compound interest and building it up over time.

Use the Do Nows in this episode to start investing today by opening an account with a low-cost investment broker and setting up an automatic plan.

Concepts

* Reasons you should start investing ASAP.

* What are some of the barriers to investing?

* How to overcome investing barriers like fear and a small amount of money.

* Strategies to employ when you first start investing.

* The differences between stock picking and indexing.

Video Clips

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

An overview of the myRA investment tool

Reasons millennials worry about investing, and how to overcome those issues

We all have days when we don’t feel like doing anything. But that doesn’t mean that we can just go back to bed. Adulting is sometimes about doing things you don’t want to do — just because it’s the right thing to do.

We discuss some of the things that might be holding you back, as well as excuses you might be making. Learn to overcome your reluctance by understanding yourself and looking for ways to reward yourself be doing what you need to do.

Even if you aren’t motivated, you can still get things done.

Concepts

* Why don’t millennials want to participate in hard work?

* What are some of the hangups holding you back?

* Strategies for learning how get things done when you don’t feel like it.

* The importance of doing things that may be unpleasant.

* How do you identify excuses vs. legitmate reasons not to do something?

Video Clips

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

News report on the “Monitoring the Future” study showing millennial disconnect between hard work and money

Strategies for identifying excuses and overcoming them so you get things done

We all want to put our best foot forward when looking for a job or climbing the career ladder. However, there are plenty of ways to mess up.

While it’s tempting to fudge on your resume or bash coworkers in an attempt to look good, most of these strategies will backfire — and could cost you your job.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of honesty and integrity, whether you are looking for a job, or whether you are trying for a promotion. Don’t get in the way of yourself.

Our Do Nows provide helpful tips for reviewing your skills and your resume, and re-tooling your approach to at-work interactions.

Concepts

* Can white lies on your resume really catch up with you?

* How to avoid getting sucked into toxic workplace gossip.

* Unprofessional behaviors that can put your career at risk.

* Tips for asking for a promotion and/or a raise.

* How do you identify disrespect and avoid those behaviors?

* Realities of being a woman in the workplace and what you need to do to get ahead if you’re female.

Video Clips

Become a Friend of Adulting

To get Adulting delivered directly to your device, subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or your app of choice.

Join the Friends of Adulting! Please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. We would really appreciate the feedback!

Resources

Examples of how lying on a resume can cost your job

The ways women are still treated differently at work