Moving Back Home: Hail Storms, shared spaces, and more

It might be the best/worst/most regrettable/most financially necessary decision I have ever made – I have moved back into my parents’ home.

Moving proved to be an adventure in itself as I faced tornado-spawning thunderstorm that rained hail down on the moving truck as I drove up I-81 in Pennsylvania on Thursday, 26 May 2011 while making my way to Connecticut. That’s a good sign, right?

In any case, I moved away from the place I’ve called home for the past 22 months and into my parents’ 2nd floor (with the help of some of my friends in PA and in CT). With my brother, living in the basement apartment that used to be mine and me living in the upstairs, my parents have a full house once again, and this time all three levels are occupied. Luckily, I have a plan of attack for how I’m dealing with the new changes in living status:

1. Communication: This means communicating with my parents, as well as, the future in-laws, and with The Fiancée. The Fiancée moved back into her parents’ basement apartment in April as a way to save money for the wedding and for future expenses. This means that we are both doing the semi-cohabitation tango and shuffling back and forth between our homes depending on how the work week goes. Communication is paramount with all of the big changes and includes things like contributions for chores and rent.

2. Save, Save, Save: While The Fiancée and I are saving for the wedding, living at home means being able to put aside money for other things (In my case, I also need to save for a car because of the accident.) One thing I will start saving for again is retirement since I didn’t contribute during the two years I was in grad school. (You’ve got to think ahead. As my younger brother pointed out, I’m going to be closer to 30 than 20 soon…)

3. Exit Strategy: My Fiancée and I both have exit strategies in play for when we are back up on our feet. By then, we hope to have enjoyed the time spent with our parents (when they aren’t trying to be helicopter parents, asking 20 questions we can’t answer, and generally poking around in our lives). Since no one is getting any younger it will be time well-spent. We will both also get to spend more time with our siblings and have accomplished the various goals we’ve put into play by the time we move out in about a year.

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(P.S.: I am not driving the truck when I am taking the video. That would be dangerous and irresponsible even if it wasn’t hailing out. I was pulled over with my hazard lights on and waiting for the hail to stop before driving on.)