Wouldn’t it be helpful to have a comprehensive list of all the adulting tasks you need to do this year?
As you may know, an adulting checklist is not a conventional guide one receives when embarking on adulthood. Adulting is often learned by doing, on the fly, and adhock. While hands-on learning can be amazing, a reference point can prepare you for what’s to come.
Reflecting over my thirty-something years, of experience in the workforce, life as a roommate, homeownership, educational endeavors, purchasing a car, investment, savings, loss of loved ones, and forging a life in new cities by myself, I have compiled an adulting checklist that should guide you through your most essential tasks.
This adulting checklist attempts to comprehensively address all your adulting needs and to-do’s.
Disclaimer
As an Amazon affiliate, this blog post may contain affiliate links. If you decide to use a link to purchase a product, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you! All products and services that I suggest are ones that I love and truly recommend!
About The Adulting Checklist
The adulting checklist is also a downloadable project plan that allows you to edit the document to track your completion.
This checklist features adulting topics that are related to home maintenance, automobile care, personal life, relationship building, career development, financial wellness, and civic engagement.
The tasks of adulting are never-ending and often unique to your personal needs and circumstances. Make a copy of this document and edit it to suit your needs.
{Checklist}
| The Ultimate Adulting Checklist | |||
| Category | Tasks | Frequency | Resources |
| Car | Stay current on utility payments | once | |
| Car | Facilitate general maintenance (oil change, tire pressure, air filter change) | quarterly | https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/maintenance-guide/ |
| Car | Maintain and check fluid levels | semi- annually | https://www.autozone.com/diy/trustworthy-advice/what-fluids-in-a-car-need-to-be-changed |
| Car | Maintain and check engine and mechanical components | semi- annually | https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/maintenance-guide/ |
| Car | Maintain and check tires and wheels | semi- annually | https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/maintenance-guide/ |
| Car | Maintain and check brakes | semi- annually | https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/maintenance-guide/ |
| Car | Maintain and check light and electrical system | monthly | https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/maintenance-guide/ |
| Car | Maintain and check interior and exterior | semi- annually | https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/maintenance-guide/ |
| Car | Keep emergency materials in good repair: jack lug wrench, emergency kit, fire extinguisher | annually | https://amzn.to/43a3XY7 (commissions earned) |
| Car | Read to understand insurance and lease agreements | once | |
| Car | Keep vehicle registration current | annually | |
| Car | Organize and file important documents: maintenance receipts, proof of insurance, lease agreement, etc. | as needed | |
| Home | Stay current on rent and mortgage payment | monthly | |
| Home | Stay current on homeowners insurance | monthly | |
| Home | Stay current on property taxes | semi-annually | https://www.usa.gov/state-taxes |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining the HVAC system | monthly | |
| Home | Develop a plan to keep a clean & tidy living space | once | |
| Home | Develop home maintenance skills (fixing leaks, changing filters) | as needed | https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/home-maintenance-skills-to-master/ |
| Home | Stock your refrigerator and pantry with food supplies | weekly | |
| Home | Read to understand your lease agreement or mortgage terms | once | |
| Home | Develop a plan for emergency procedures in various scenarios (e.g., natural disasters, medical emergencies). | once | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html |
| Home | Learn basic first aid and CPR | as needed | https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/first-aid%2Fcpr%2Faed-instructor-bl-r.21/LP-00145900.html |
| Home | Have essential emergency supplies at home (e.g., flashlight, batteries, water, non-perishable food). | once | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining the electrical system | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining plumbing | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Make your annual gynecological appointment | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining roof and gutters | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining the interior and exterior | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining appliances | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Develop a plan for checking and maintaining the yard and grounds | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Home | Develop a plan for pest control | once | https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/integrated-pest-management-ipm-principles |
| Home | Develop a plan to maintain the security and safety of your home | once | https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12334.PDF |
| Personal | Make your annual physical and check-up appointments | once | https://www.instyle.com/lifestyle/doctors-appointments-you-need-every-year |
| Personal | Make your semi-annual dental appointments | once | https://www.instyle.com/lifestyle/doctors-appointments-you-need-every-year |
| Personal | https://amzn.to/3wEfkeT (commissions earned) | once | https://www.instyle.com/lifestyle/doctors-appointments-you-need-every-year |
| Personal | File important documents in a secure and accessible location: Birth certificate, ID, Passport, Social Security Card, Court Filings, Tax Documents | once | https://amzn.to/3wEfkeT (comimssions earned) |
| Personal | Create a running list of all usernames and passwords in a secure location | once | |
| Personal | Develop a plan to stay physically active | once | |
| Personal | Schedule preventive health screenigs | once | https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/preventive-care/index.html |
| Personal | Develop a stress management routine and seek help when needed | once | https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-to-relieve-stress-a-6-step-plan-to-feeling-good |
| Personal | Develop cooking skills and meal-planning abilities to maintain healthy diet | once | https://amzn.to/4aDRQpl (commissions earned) |
| Personal | Develop a plan to work toward your personal aspirations | annually | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/goal-setting-activity-book-2/ |
| Personal | Practice self-reflection and self-awareness for personal growth | weekly | |
| Personal | Create space to engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment | weekly | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/time-management-activity-book-2/ |
| Personal | Create space for self-care activities, such as relaxation and lesuire | weekly | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/time-management-activity-book-2/ |
| Personal | Develop a hygiene routine to care for your body, skin, hair, and nail | daily | |
| Personal | Seek opportunities for personal growth and learning | monthly | |
| Financial | Create a monthly budget | quarterly | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/budgeting-activity-book-2/ |
| Financial | Track your monthly expenses and subscriptions | quarterly | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/budgeting-activity-book-2/ |
| Financial | Set up checking account | once | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/checking/best-checking-accounts/ |
| Financial | Set up savings account | once | https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/high-yield-savings-accounts/?utm_content=156546948896&utm_term=kwd-43280630&utm_campaign=20819129977&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU75Stgv7E0zN6gEb1w_ZZvf_AHgTNa-TN0SZFXvnclidKWqxfiLohaRoCKF0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds |
| Financial | Automate money transfer for savings each month | once | |
| Financial | Plan for major financial expenses | as needed | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/budgeting-activity-book-2/ |
| Financial | Develop a plan to pay off debt | annually | https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/pay-off-debt |
| Financial | Seek opportunities to learning about financial wellness | quarterly | https://www.youtube.com/@MinorityMindset |
| Financial | Plan your contribute to a retirement plan | annually | |
| Financial | Develop a plan to build good credit | annually | https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-and-keep-a-good-credit-score-en-318/ |
| Financial | Build an emergency savings fund | annually | https://theadultingatlas.com/product/budgeting-activity-book-2/ |
| Financial | Review and adjust financial plans regularly | monthly | |
| Career | Develop a career plan that guides you to meet your professional goals | annually | |
| Career | Update your resume and LinkedIn profile | as needed | https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-make-a-resume-with-examples |
| Career | Read to understand your rights and responsibilities as an employee | as needed | |
| Career | Organize and file important documents: offer letters, employee handbook, retirement policies, etc. | as needed | |
| Career | Seek opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement | quarterly | |
| Career | Build a network within your industry | ongoing | |
| Career | Learn skills to advocate for yourself in the workplace (e.g., negotiating salary, asking for promotions or raises). | as needed | https://hbr.org/2021/06/ask-an-expert-how-do-i-advocate-for-myself-at-work |
| Career | Seek opportunities to learn about developments in your field | semi-annually | |
| Relationships | Maintain communication with family and friends | weekly | |
| Relationships | Foster strong communication skills to express yourself | ongoing | https://amzn.to/3TlTGEO (commissions earned) |
| Relationships | Create space to spend time with loved ones | weekly | |
| Relationships | Calendar and set reminders for important dates of family and social circle (birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.) | as needed | |
| Relationships | Engage in social activities and hobbies | monthly | |
| Relationships | Network for personal and professional growth | ongoing | |
| Civic | Understand your legal rights and responsibilities as a citizen | once | https://www.canyonsdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HS-Rights-and-Responsibilities.pdf |
| Civic | Exercise voting responsibilities | as needed | https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote |
| Civic | Serve on juries when summoned | as needed | https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/jury-service |
| Civic | Stay informed about local and national news and issues | daily | |
| Civic | Pay local, federal, and state taxes on time and understand tax laws | as needed | https://www.usa.gov/state-taxes |
{Related Post: 7 Insanely Effective Productivity Habits to Help You Adult Like a Pro}
Find the downloadable (excel) version of the ultimate adulting checklist below.
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