We all want to achieve independence as an adult. Independence allows you to pursue your passions, secure your future, and live life on your own terms.

However, the road to freedom can be a little overwhelming and intimidating. But with enough determination and the right habits, you can definitely get there.

So here are practical life hacks you can turn into habits to help you start your journey to becoming independent. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to accelerate your progress, these tips can help you take control of your finances, your physical and mental health, and more to become a fully-fledged independent adult.

Prioritize your health and wellness

To avoid health complications, engage in physical activity regularly. While you can invest in a gym membership, you don’t have to spend a peso. You can do other activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, or dancing for little to no cost! Physical activity also produces endorphins (a.k.a. feel-good hormones) that can improve your mood and self-esteem.

Make sure to schedule regular health appointments so you can talk to your doctors about any health concerns. You can start with the basic checkups, such as appointments with a general practitioner, a dentist, and an ophthalmologist (or eye specialist).

Upskill continuously

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already graduated from school. But your education shouldn’t stop when you become an adult. Continuous learning opens up more opportunities, which would, in turn, make you more competitive and financially independent. Learning doesn’t even have to cost you a lot since you can read books, listen to podcasts, or find courses online.

Budget wisely and trim expenses

Most people see budgeting as a restrictive tool that dictates how much you can’t spend, which is especially frustrating when you’re an adult who now has access to funds you can spend on what you want. But look at it this way: budgets let you manage your finances and spend wisely. If you’re new to budgeting, a good starting point is classifying your expenses into needs, wants, and savings, usually divided into 50-30-20%.

Speaking of needs and wants, you might want to review your list of expenses and identify which one is which. You might be classifying gym memberships and streaming services as needs, but if you’re not really using them, you might want to consider cutting them off. Adulting means learning to let go, too.

Open a bank account and build your credit

If you don’t have a bank account yet, take this as a sign to level up from your piggy bank. With a savings account in a bank, you can safely store your money, track your spending, build savings, and manage your overall finances more efficiently than simply keeping cash with you. You might even find yourself unlocking opportunities for other financial services, such as loans and investment options.

It’s also important to establish a good credit score since it’s actually key to many opportunities. With a good credit score, you can score lower interest rates for car loans, house mortgages, and other similar loans. The easiest way to build your credit score is to get a credit card or apply for a personal loan — just make sure that you pay on time and you don’t overspend!

Make smart investments

Financially stable folks usually advise you to make your money work for you. Often, the best way to do that is to make strategic investments by putting your savings in things that would produce higher returns, such as real estate.

When choosing a good property to invest in, you should consider different factors. It has to be strategically located so that you can easily reach key establishments and destinations such as central business districts. Additionally, the development must be in a place where growth is assured through current and future infrastructure surrounding the project.

One great development worth investing in is Sierra Valley Gardens by RLC Residences, a 12-building suburban neighborhood located inside the Sierra Valley estate along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Cainta, Rizal. Since the launch of its first building in 2020, the development already reached 42% price appreciation, thanks to multiple factors that make it a smart move for investors.

What makes this a smart choice for investment is its location, given that this is the only condo in the area that’s inside a master-planned community inside a master-planned community where a mall and office buildings soon to rise. With an all-new MRT4 Station connected to the mall in the pipeline, it’s accessible, too, to Ortigas CBD, the emerging Bridgetowne Destination Estate, and other major establishments such as hospitals, commercial establishments, schools, and even Rizal’s vibrant tourist spots.

You can choose from studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units with balcony options, all equipped with practical home upgrades plus smart home features for added safety and security. You don’t need to go far, as the development also has a wide array of amenities such as swimming pools, lounge areas, and more.

Investing in one of these units is definitely a smart move for those who wish to start their adulting journey. Check out Sierra Valley Gardens by visiting their showroom or logging in to rlcresidences.com.