🛏️ Housing Readiness Skills *coming soon
- 1. 1.1 Exploring Different Types of Housing Options 00:00:00
- 2. 1.2 Benefits and Drawbacks of Renting vs. Owning 00:00:00
- 3. 1.3 Shared Housing: Expectations and Responsibilities 00:00:00
- 4. 1.4 Independent Living: Preparing for Self-Sufficiency 00:00:00
- 5. 1.5 Identifying Short-Term vs. Long-Term Housing Needs 00:00:00
- 6. 1.6 Understanding Transitional and Supportive Housing Programs 00:00:00
- 7. 1.7 Evaluating Safety in Different Housing Environments 00:00:00
- 8. 1.8 Considering Accessibility for Disabilities and Health Needs 00:00:00
- 9. 1.9 Weighing Proximity to Work, School, and Services 00:00:00
- 10. 1.10 Comparing Costs Across Housing Options 00:00:00
- 11. 1.11 Identifying Community Resources for Housing Support 00:00:00
- 12. 1.12 The Role of Family and Friends in Housing Decisions 00:00:00
- 13. 1.13 How Cultural Values Influence Housing Choices 00:00:00
- 14. 1.14 Setting Housing Goals That Match Lifestyle Needs 00:00:00
- 15. 1.15 Preparing a Decision-Making Checklist for Housing 00:00:00
- 1. 2.1 Identifying Required Housing Documents 00:00:00
- 2. 2.2 Gathering Proof of Income and Employment Verification 00:00:00
- 3. 2.3 Understanding Credit Reports for Housing Applications 00:00:00
- 4. 2.4 Collecting Identification Documents (ID, SSN, Passport) 00:00:00
- 5. 2.5 Preparing Rental History Information 00:00:00
- 6. 2.6 The Role of References in Housing Applications 00:00:00
- 7. 2.7 Addressing Barriers: Bad Credit or Evictions 00:00:00
- 8. 2.8 Organizing Health and Disability Documentation if Needed 00:00:00
- 9. 2.9 Preparing Documents for Subsidized Housing Programs 00:00:00
- 10. 2.10 Digital vs. Paper Copies: Keeping Records Safe 00:00:00
- 11. 2.11 Completing a Standard Rental Application Form 00:00:00
- 12. 2.12 How to Explain Gaps in Rental or Job History 00:00:00
- 13. 2.13 Practicing Honesty While Presenting Applications Professionally 00:00:00
- 14. 2.14 Creating a Personal Housing File for Quick Access 00:00:00
- 15. 2.15 Reviewing Documents With a Trusted Support Person 00:00:00
- 1. 3.1 Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Housing Costs 00:00:00
- 2. 3.2 Calculating Monthly Rent Affordability 00:00:00
- 3. 3.3 Estimating Utility Costs (Water, Power, Gas, Internet) 00:00:00
- 4. 3.4 Setting a Realistic Food and Household Supplies Budget 00:00:00
- 5. 3.5 Saving for Security Deposits and Move-In Fees 00:00:00
- 6. 3.6 Creating an Emergency Housing Fund 00:00:00
- 7. 3.7 Balancing Debt Payments With Housing Expenses 00:00:00
- 8. 3.8 Using Budgeting Apps and Worksheets for Tracking 00:00:00
- 9. 3.9 Identifying Ways to Cut Costs Without Sacrificing Needs 00:00:00
- 10. 3.10 Budgeting for Furniture and Household Essentials 00:00:00
- 11. 3.11 Planning for Transportation Costs Linked to Housing Location 00:00:00
- 12. 3.12 The Importance of Timely Bill Payments for Credit and Stability 00:00:00
- 13. 3.13 How to Adjust Budgets When Income Changes 00:00:00
- 14. 3.14 Role-Playing Monthly Budget Planning 00:00:00
- 15. 3.15 Building Long-Term Financial Habits for Housing Stability 00:00:00
- 1. 4.1 Setting Housing Search Priorities 00:00:00
- 2. 4.2 Using Online Housing Platforms Wisely 00:00:00
- 3. 4.3 Reading and Comparing Rental Listings 00:00:00
- 4. 4.4 Spotting Rental Scams and Fraudulent Offers 00:00:00
- 5. 4.5 Touring Properties Safely 00:00:00
- 6. 4.6 Questions to Ask Landlords During Housing Visits 00:00:00
- 7. 4.7 Evaluating Neighborhood Safety and Services 00:00:00
- 8. 4.8 Understanding the Role of Housing Agencies 00:00:00
- 9. 4.9 Exploring Affordable Housing and Subsidy Programs 00:00:00
- 10. 4.10 Creating a Housing Search Log 00:00:00
- 11. 4.11 Using Word of Mouth and Networking for Housing Leads 00:00:00
- 12. 4.12 Identifying Red Flags in Housing Opportunities 00:00:00
- 13. 4.13 Balancing Location, Price, and Amenities 00:00:00
- 14. 4.14 How to Follow Up After Housing Inquiries 00:00:00
- 15. 4.15 Building Confidence in the Housing Search Process 00:00:00
- 1. 5.1 Reading a Lease Step-by-Step 00:00:00
- 2. 5.2 Common Lease Terms Explained 00:00:00
- 3. 5.3 Tenant Rights and Responsibilities 00:00:00
- 4. 5.4 Understanding Security Deposits and Refund Policies 00:00:00
- 5. 5.5 Recognizing Illegal Lease Clauses 00:00:00
- 6. 5.6 Month-to-Month vs. Yearly Leases 00:00:00
- 7. 5.7 Importance of Rent Payment Records 00:00:00
- 8. 5.8 Subletting Rules and Considerations 00:00:00
- 9. 5.9 Tenant Rights Around Repairs and Maintenance 00:00:00
- 10. 5.10 Handling Lease Renewals and Terminations 00:00:00
- 11. 5.11 How to Request Changes in Lease Agreements 00:00:00
- 12. 5.12 Role of Tenant Advocacy Groups 00:00:00
- 13. 5.13 Eviction Laws and Tenant Protections 00:00:00
- 14. 5.14 Keeping Written Records for Housing Disputes 00:00:00
- 15. 5.15 Building Confidence in Signing a Lease 00:00:00
- 1. 6.1 Identifying Utilities Required for New Housing 00:00:00
- 2. 6.2 Setting Up Water, Electricity, and Gas Accounts 00:00:00
- 3. 6.3 Choosing Internet and Cable Options 00:00:00
- 4. 6.4 Deposits and Fees for Utilities 00:00:00
- 5. 6.5 How to Read Utility Bills 00:00:00
- 6. 6.6 Setting Reminders for Bill Payments 00:00:00
- 7. 6.7 Energy-Saving Habits to Reduce Costs 00:00:00
- 8. 6.8 Transferring Utility Services When Moving 00:00:00
- 9. 6.9 Choosing Between Prepaid vs. Postpaid Utilities 00:00:00
- 10. 6.10 What to Do If You Cannot Pay a Utility Bill 00:00:00
- 11. 6.11 Understanding Assistance Programs for Utilities 00:00:00
- 12. 6.12 Setting Up Garbage and Recycling Services 00:00:00
- 13. 6.13 Installing Smoke Detectors and Safety Devices 00:00:00
- 14. 6.14 Identifying Reliable Service Providers 00:00:00
- 15. 6.15 Building a Checklist for Utility Setup 00:00:00
- 1. 7.1 Creating a Daily Cleaning Schedule 00:00:00
- 2. 7.2 Organizing Kitchen and Food Storage 00:00:00
- 3. 7.3 Managing Laundry and Clothing Care 00:00:00
- 4. 7.4 Safe Use of Cleaning Products 00:00:00
- 5. 7.5 Fire Safety and Home Preparedness 00:00:00
- 6. 7.6 How to Store Important Documents Safely 00:00:00
- 7. 7.7 Setting Routines for Home Maintenance 00:00:00
- 8. 7.8 Pest Prevention and Cleanliness 00:00:00
- 9. 7.9 Creating a Chore System for Shared Housing 00:00:00
- 10. 7.10 Time Management for Home Tasks 00:00:00
- 11. 7.11 Identifying Signs of Unsafe Housing Conditions 00:00:00
- 12. 7.12 Repair vs. Replace: Making Household Decisions 00:00:00
- 13. 7.13 Creating a Calm and Organized Living Space 00:00:00
- 14. 7.14 Managing Noise and Respecting Neighbors 00:00:00
- 15. 7.15 Practicing Independence Through Daily Home Care 00:00:00
- 1. 8.1 Communicating With Landlords About Late Payments 00:00:00
- 2. 8.2 Exploring Rental Assistance Resources 00:00:00
- 3. 8.3 Negotiating Payment Plans for Rent 00:00:00
- 4. 8.4 Requesting Repairs Effectively 00:00:00
- 5. 8.5 Documenting Maintenance Issues 00:00:00
- 6. 8.6 Knowing When to Escalate Repairs to Authorities 00:00:00
- 7. 8.7 Strategies for Living With Difficult Neighbors 00:00:00
- 8. 8.8 Managing Noise Complaints Respectfully 00:00:00
- 9. 8.9 Dealing With Roommate Conflicts 00:00:00
- 10. 8.10 Handling Unexpected Job or Income Loss 00:00:00
- 11. 8.11 Applying for Emergency Housing Services 00:00:00
- 12. 8.12 Conflict Resolution With Housing Staff 00:00:00
- 13. 8.13 Balancing Assertiveness and Cooperation 00:00:00
- 14. 8.14 Rebuilding After a Housing Crisis 00:00:00
- 15. 8.15 Learning From Past Housing Challenges 00:00:00
- 1. 9.1 First Impressions With a New Landlord 00:00:00
- 2. 9.2 Communicating Housing Concerns Professionally 00:00:00
- 3. 9.3 Building Trust With Landlords Through Reliability 00:00:00
- 4. 9.4 How to Document Housing Interactions 00:00:00
- 5. 9.5 Role of Respect in Landlord Relationships 00:00:00
- 6. 9.6 Creating Positive Roommate Agreements 00:00:00
- 7. 9.7 Conflict Resolution With Roommates 00:00:00
- 8. 9.8 Sharing Household Responsibilities Fairly 00:00:00
- 9. 9.9 Establishing Quiet and Shared Space Rules 00:00:00
- 10. 9.10 Practicing Respectful Communication at Home 00:00:00
- 11. 9.11 Celebrating Housing Milestones With Roommates 00:00:00
- 12. 9.12 Maintaining Healthy Boundaries in Shared Housing 00:00:00
- 13. 9.13 How to End a Roommate Arrangement Smoothly 00:00:00
- 14. 9.14 Maintaining Long-Term Relationships With Landlords 00:00:00
- 15. 9.15 Building a Network of Housing References 00:00:00
- 1. 10.1 Defining Long-Term Housing Goals 00:00:00
- 2. 10.2 Creating a Savings Plan for Future Housing 00:00:00
- 3. 10.3 Transitioning From Renting to Ownership 00:00:00
- 4. 10.4 Planning for Family or Household Growth 00:00:00
- 5. 10.5 Considering Future Career and Housing Needs 00:00:00
- 6. 10.6 Evaluating Housing Stability Risk Factors 00:00:00
- 7. 10.7 How Health and Age Influence Housing Choices 00:00:00
- 8. 10.8 Building a Support System for Housing Success 00:00:00
- 9. 10.9 Using Community Resources for Long-Term Housing 00:00:00
- 10. 10.10 Planning for Emergencies and Relocation 00:00:00
- 11. 10.11 Setting Up Annual Housing Reviews 00:00:00
- 12. 10.12 Identifying Opportunities for Home Improvement 00:00:00
- 13. 10.13 Preparing for Retirement and Housing Stability 00:00:00
- 14. 10.14 Creating a Legacy Housing Plan for Family 00:00:00
- 15. 10.15 Reviewing and Updating Housing Goals Regularly 00:00:00
Course overview
Lesson Overview
6.5 – How to Read Utility Bills: Learning to read utility bills empowers you to track usage and prevent overcharges. Each bill typically lists account details, service period, current charges, taxes, and previous balances. Comparing usage month-to-month reveals consumption patterns and helps identify seasonal changes or leaks. Pay attention to rate types—some vary by time of day or consumption level. Understanding terms like “kilowatt-hour” or “therm” clarifies how energy costs are calculated. Reviewing bills online often provides detailed graphs for quick analysis. Spotting errors early allows timely corrections through customer service. Awareness builds accountability and supports energy-saving strategies. Knowing your bill isn’t just about paying—it’s about mastering control of your household’s financial flow.
About this course
Practical skills and knowledge to help individuals prepare for, secure, and maintain stable housing.
This course includes:
- Housing search and budgeting worksheets
- Sample lease review and tenant rights guides
- Home maintenance and organization checklists