Can You Use a Cheat Sheet to Live the Life You Desire?

The term “adulting” wasn’t in the mainstream English vernacular until the mid-2010s when US writer Kelly Williams Brown began using it on social media. Now, as a neologism (aka coinage), it has been added to traditional dictionaries. To the uninitiated, adulting refers to the process, behavior, activities, and tasks associated with daily adult life necessary to function in civilized society.

Adulting: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet by Haley Cavanagh is sort of an informal manual on how to start life as an adult and sustain it. It’s a kick-your-own-butt guide on how to quit being childish and start being mature.

When I read the first few pages of this ebook, I was quick to dismiss it, as most of what the author mentioned I already knew. Many of the earlier passages elicited a “duh” from me. However, a couple of chapters in, I noticed that this non-fiction book offers valuable tidbits to a much younger audience. Besides, I have to acknowledge that it isn’t meant for me. (I turned 18 many moons ago.) It suits older teenagers and peeps in their early 20s.

Youngsters will definitely benefit from this publication, as well as older, jaded folks who may (prematurely) scoff at its contents. The section I think will offer the most value—regardless of reader age—is the chapter on survival, as it will help in possible future catastrophes. Even though it’s highly unlikely we’ll experience a zombie cataclysm in our lifetime, this chapter offers some insight on addressing basic needs in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. If you’re more interested in preparing for (God forbid) nuclear war or World War III, you’re better off consulting dedicated manuals specific to that subject, as it’s beyond the scope of this book.

You may already be familiar with some of the everyday solutions the author offered in the first part of this publication, but toward the end, you’ll discover some hidden gems. Those that resonated with me were the chapters on Everyday Hacks, Home Remedies, and Survival, because some tips were new to me.

I’m a sucker for hacks because I dislike doing domestic chores and thus appreciate shortcuts that make these tasks easier and faster. So I particularly liked the chapter that doled them out. I already knew several—thanks to my mom’s passed-down homemaking practices over the years—but there were some I didn’t. For instance, did you know that you can use foil to remove rust, clear stove/oven grime, and beat a heat wave? I’ve tested one of the tips and it worked!

Readers will also appreciate these templates and checklists they can print out or save offline on digital devices:
✓ Budgeting
✓ Cleaning
✓ Meal planning
✓ Daily self-care
✓ Skin care
✓ Home remedies for common medical ailments
✓ Packing for travel
✓ First-time parenting
✓ Emergency contacts

There’s also a collection of recipes for healthy grub, including drinks.

Those concerned with the upkeep of external appearance will like the Beauty Treatments section, as it contains hacks using natural methods with non-toxic materials and ingredients.

The book will delight both cheapskates and new adults low on funds, as the author shares how to get free and discounted beauty treatments, groceries, reading material, leisure activities, and vacation destinations.

The manual includes advice on finance management, first-time parenting, apartment hunting, job hunting, thriving in the workforce, the navigation of life’s ups and downs, and other matters pertinent to new adult life. Oddly enough, it doesn’t include tips on how to buy your first home.

The author, though not a “new adult,” knows what she’s talking about, as she shares her experiences as a military veteran, spouse, and mom. On the side, she also writes sci-fi novels.

I’m sure there are many publications out there tackling adulting, but I don’t have time to research these. Therefore, I wouldn’t mind mentioning this title to those likewise time-strapped and just want an easy-to-read, all-in-one book that discusses multiple aspects of starting (and sustaining) life as a new adult. Rating: four stars.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev