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The Real Simple Guide to Real Life: Adulthood Made Easy
REAL SIMPLE , the #1 women's lifestyle magazine, shares the secrets to mastering "life 101" — from home to work to relationships — in this must-have, illustrated handbook to help young adults navigate their busy, new lives.
Right after graduation, the questions start piling up. And they just keep on coming throughout your 20s and How do I find a job that I love--and, um that pays? What should I wear to the interview? And speaking of clothes, where do I put them when my apartment doesn't even have a closet? REAL SIMPLE created The Real Simple Guide to Real Adulthood Made Easy to answer all of those questions — and so many more.
Original essays from best-selling young writers and practical advice from expert contributors simplify (and demystify) landing a job, finding an apartment, decorating on the cheap, cooking for one, dressing for work, organizing a small space, picking a mentor, writing a thank-you note (yes, they're still a thing) — plus all the answers you need to deal with 401(k)s, kitchen fails, epic hangovers, messy roommates, and even messier breakups.
Hear from these inspiring women and others about what they wish they had known when they were starting Gretchen Rubin, Barbara Corcoran, Rosie Schaap, Gail Simmons, Melinda Gates, Cristina Henríquez, Madeleine Albright, Doree Shafrir, Camille Styles, Egypt Sherrod, Kelly Wearstler, Brené Brown, Edan Lepucki, Abby Larson, Emmy Rossum, Jenni Konner, Jessica Alba, Molly Antopol, Anna Holmes, Rachel Sklar, and J. Courtney Sullivan.
Right after graduation, the questions start piling up. And they just keep on coming throughout your 20s and How do I find a job that I love--and, um that pays? What should I wear to the interview? And speaking of clothes, where do I put them when my apartment doesn't even have a closet? REAL SIMPLE created The Real Simple Guide to Real Adulthood Made Easy to answer all of those questions — and so many more.
Original essays from best-selling young writers and practical advice from expert contributors simplify (and demystify) landing a job, finding an apartment, decorating on the cheap, cooking for one, dressing for work, organizing a small space, picking a mentor, writing a thank-you note (yes, they're still a thing) — plus all the answers you need to deal with 401(k)s, kitchen fails, epic hangovers, messy roommates, and even messier breakups.
Hear from these inspiring women and others about what they wish they had known when they were starting Gretchen Rubin, Barbara Corcoran, Rosie Schaap, Gail Simmons, Melinda Gates, Cristina Henríquez, Madeleine Albright, Doree Shafrir, Camille Styles, Egypt Sherrod, Kelly Wearstler, Brené Brown, Edan Lepucki, Abby Larson, Emmy Rossum, Jenni Konner, Jessica Alba, Molly Antopol, Anna Holmes, Rachel Sklar, and J. Courtney Sullivan.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 5, 2015
This is a great starter for early 20-somethings and includes extras for everyone else. The book is current to modern life (2015) and is geared towards young women post-college but would be applicable for those mid-college, no-college, or a little older. I would have really appreciated this 10 years ago but still find most of the book applicable today. Good reference book for life-skills like cleaning, decorating, tipping, dressing + finances and modern etiquette.
I'm also recommending it to my husband and dad because a) my husband needs to know how to clean too and b) both are feminists, but haven't had to live through the expectations of a young (or not young) female. This book, which is geared towards young woman, is really applicable for both genders but is a perfect example of how so much is expected in young ladies. It's a book that teaches the life skills we are expected to have. It also includes tricks to making it seem like we have it all together. Kudos Real Simple.
I'm also recommending it to my husband and dad because a) my husband needs to know how to clean too and b) both are feminists, but haven't had to live through the expectations of a young (or not young) female. This book, which is geared towards young woman, is really applicable for both genders but is a perfect example of how so much is expected in young ladies. It's a book that teaches the life skills we are expected to have. It also includes tricks to making it seem like we have it all together. Kudos Real Simple.
January 8, 2016
Full of great tips from insurance, to cleaning, to decorating. This is one I should really own so I can go back and find information when needed!
February 23, 2019
While the transition to adulthood may not be easy, this book may help make it easier. Adulthood is filled with sticky situations and “I don’t know”s. This book has some practical advice for living on your own. Although it is geared towards women, this really simple guide helps to answer many questions like do I need insurance, how to I deal with roommates, and when do I really need to see a medical professional.
The book is divided into chapters that are easily referenced to help answer these questions. No need to read the entire book cover-to-cover in one go! Personally, I read the chapters which were most applicable to my life first, then I went back and read the rest. You can still read the whole thing in order if you prefer. It still has some good reading material with short excerpts from female authors’ works. And there a humorous bits interspersed throughout to keep you engaged.
It’s not a complete guide to all things adult, though. No step-by-step guide to changing a headlight on your vehicle here. However, it does contain a lot of useful information which is presented in an accessible and lighthearted way.
The book is divided into chapters that are easily referenced to help answer these questions. No need to read the entire book cover-to-cover in one go! Personally, I read the chapters which were most applicable to my life first, then I went back and read the rest. You can still read the whole thing in order if you prefer. It still has some good reading material with short excerpts from female authors’ works. And there a humorous bits interspersed throughout to keep you engaged.
It’s not a complete guide to all things adult, though. No step-by-step guide to changing a headlight on your vehicle here. However, it does contain a lot of useful information which is presented in an accessible and lighthearted way.
January 4, 2025
A good book for people who are newly starting their life alone such as fresh graduates etc.
The only down side of this book is this written for girls in the United States.
Therefor some tips are targeted only for the US audience.
Other than that, good read for everybody
The only down side of this book is this written for girls in the United States.
Therefor some tips are targeted only for the US audience.
Other than that, good read for everybody
stopped
October 29, 2015I can't. I just can't find the interest to actually read about becoming a responsible adult. And as a mid-thirties, married, mom of three- if I haven't learned how to do that yet, it's not going to happen reading a book meant for just out of college twenty-somethings.
I did read a couple of chapters and I think that it would probably be a good resource for the intended audience. It's presented in simple terms, easy to read, and up-to-date.
I did read a couple of chapters and I think that it would probably be a good resource for the intended audience. It's presented in simple terms, easy to read, and up-to-date.
March 25, 2015
It's the same advice you would find in any other book like this or if you Google it. Waste of time and money.
February 10, 2019
More juvenile than I expected. REAL SIMPLE has such great books on organizing & their monthly periodical is always entertaining. This book was just a miss start to finish.
January 14, 2018
This book is written primarily for women/girls, and I think it would be a great graduation gift! It has fun illustrations, and is written like a magazine with catchy titles and small snippets of information throughout. I took photos of several pages to have in my phone so I can reference later. The book covers how often different articles of clothing need to be washed (suede jakets, hats/gloves, swimsuits, etc.), ways to get different stains out of clothing (coffee, blood, ink, etc.), how much to tip different types of services (flower delivery, valet parking, etc.), different things to consider in a living situation, different aspects of home and design. Great read!
September 10, 2020
The reason why I am giving this book 5 stars is because I am comparing it to the Financial Diet book. which is comparable to practical living advise.
Both books offer advice on practical advice on becoming a young independent adult, examples including what you should keep in your pantry, how to get along with roommates and how to manage your money to reach your goals.
However, the real simple book is a lot more detailed and broader, and full of common sense advice, like how to write a thank you note, and how much is appropriate to tip.
I will be gifting this book to the young adults in my life :)
Both books offer advice on practical advice on becoming a young independent adult, examples including what you should keep in your pantry, how to get along with roommates and how to manage your money to reach your goals.
However, the real simple book is a lot more detailed and broader, and full of common sense advice, like how to write a thank you note, and how much is appropriate to tip.
I will be gifting this book to the young adults in my life :)
February 27, 2018
I did not feel that it was relevant to my situation. Too much emphasis on apartment life and alternative means of transportation. As someone looking to buy her first house, who already has a full time job, and is already ahead of the make-up advise given in this book, I was left feeling very unassisted and neglected by the presumed adult situations listed.
November 26, 2018
Mostly superficial advice, most of which I wish parents taught their kids, most of which can be Googled. I would not buy this for any young person I know. However, it is kind of engaging. Aimed absolutely at young women, though... lots of chapter young men might read only to help them understand their girlfriends....
March 22, 2018
The first chapter includes an article on lying in order to get a cheap apartment. Really? That’s your advice? Sad...
I still skimmed through the rest of the book and found most of it to be opinions and no-brainers. This book is a waste of time, in my opinion.
I still skimmed through the rest of the book and found most of it to be opinions and no-brainers. This book is a waste of time, in my opinion.
January 1, 2023
This is my second time reading this. Surprisingly this book seem to be more helpful at this age and not younger haha. Some of the info are outdated but mostly, they’re good for those who are about to graduate from college.
September 2, 2017
This book was fun, informative, cute, silly, well written and useful! I have always loved their magazine and now love this as much!
September 25, 2018
Definitely more appropriate for someone who is just starting their first job and/or first apartment. Quite simplistic for a reader in their 30s.
November 22, 2019
This is a great book for women in their late teens/early 20s.
March 27, 2020
I've read this book several times and it's a fantastic resource especially if you are living on your own for the first time. I'd strongly recommend.
January 2, 2021
Great books for modern women. The advise is great and the points are relatable. Every women should have this in your bookshelf 😊
June 9, 2021
I did not enjoy this book. Although, I learned a few in this book such as the correct way of passing the plate on a table. lol.
August 14, 2023
silly library read. it was fun. learned some things
November 28, 2016
“The real simple guide to real life” is a nonfiction book written by Noelle Howey. It is a book that is mostly targeted for a young woman/adult, probably in their 20’s.
To help you picture this, imagine a girl, she just graduated and now she is thrown in this humongous world where she is now not living under mommy and daddy’s roof. She is expected to known how to pay bills, getting a mortgage, renting an apartment, finding furniture for that apartment that she probably has to share with her roommate, dealing with that roommate. Now that she has that apartment she needs money to pay, so she has to find a job, figure out a way to keep that job. Now with a lot of responsibility she has a lot of bills to pay and somewhere along the way she is almost broke, she is trying to manage that job but then her really good friend invites her to her wedding and obviously she has to bring a gifts,...
Does she sound a little bit like you? Well, then this is the book for you. It teaches you how to deal with all of those things from how to deal with your obnoxious loud neighbor, go to a wedding without going broke, remove all different kinds of stains, to how to get a job,pay your bills, get an apartment,... this book will help you in many different ways.
In this book, you will also find quotes from famous people like Jessica Alba and Emmy Rossum. Also, you will find essays from amazing writers like Cristina Henríquez and J. Courtney Sullivan. And this will help you get more points of views. So if you are wondering how to or where to start in this is the book for you, and don’t worry this is not that boring book that will take you years to even read the first pages because it is written in a funny relatable way that will keep you interested and eager to know more.
To help you picture this, imagine a girl, she just graduated and now she is thrown in this humongous world where she is now not living under mommy and daddy’s roof. She is expected to known how to pay bills, getting a mortgage, renting an apartment, finding furniture for that apartment that she probably has to share with her roommate, dealing with that roommate. Now that she has that apartment she needs money to pay, so she has to find a job, figure out a way to keep that job. Now with a lot of responsibility she has a lot of bills to pay and somewhere along the way she is almost broke, she is trying to manage that job but then her really good friend invites her to her wedding and obviously she has to bring a gifts,...
Does she sound a little bit like you? Well, then this is the book for you. It teaches you how to deal with all of those things from how to deal with your obnoxious loud neighbor, go to a wedding without going broke, remove all different kinds of stains, to how to get a job,pay your bills, get an apartment,... this book will help you in many different ways.
In this book, you will also find quotes from famous people like Jessica Alba and Emmy Rossum. Also, you will find essays from amazing writers like Cristina Henríquez and J. Courtney Sullivan. And this will help you get more points of views. So if you are wondering how to or where to start in this is the book for you, and don’t worry this is not that boring book that will take you years to even read the first pages because it is written in a funny relatable way that will keep you interested and eager to know more.
March 28, 2016
Useful for people (aimed at women, but could be used by men too) starting out.
I'm a little old to be the primary audience here but I did find a few tips.
If anything this book was an effective reminder that I need to get moving on starting my IRA.
Adding to 2016 PopSugar reading challenge in category: self-improvement book. (It's a stretch but I'll allow it. (ha).)
I'm a little old to be the primary audience here but I did find a few tips.
If anything this book was an effective reminder that I need to get moving on starting my IRA.
Adding to 2016 PopSugar reading challenge in category: self-improvement book. (It's a stretch but I'll allow it. (ha).)
May 4, 2015
I loved all the tips and tricks every busy girl needs to know.
May 23, 2015
Great read; better "real life" advice than "Gracie's guide" or "Adulting".
June 28, 2015
Has some great tips on adult life! It could be a great reference book
July 26, 2015
Fantastic guide to real life. I am gifting this to every college graduate.
July 30, 2015
I must be too old for a book like this. I though it was useless.
August 7, 2015
This book had a ton of great advice in it. I admit though, I am the target demographic (female in 20s).
September 7, 2015
Cute book! Had some good pointers!
September 13, 2015
Although I am not the target audience for this book, I think it could be very useful to a new high school or college graduate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews