Books That Demystify Adulting

Adulting encompasses a wide range of responsibilities associated with becoming a self-sufficient and independent adult. It can seem daunting, so we have broken it down into manageable chunks. Below are some common elements of adulting, plus book recommendations for each.

1. Financial Management

This includes budgeting, paying bills, managing debt, saving for the future, understanding taxes and making informed financial decisions.

• Financial Adulting
• Personal Finances in Your 20s & 30s for Dummies
• Your Best Financial Life
• Rich AF
• Get Good with Money

2. Household Management

This includes taking care of household chores like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping. Additionally, maintaining a living space, whether it's renting or owning a home, involves tasks like repairs, renovations, and managing utilities.

• The Martha Manual
• How to Feed Yourself
• Cook This Book 
• Life Skills
• 100 Things Every Homeowner Must Know

3. Career and Professional Development

This involves finding and keeping employment, advancing in your career through skill development and networking, and managing workplace relationships and responsibilities.

• Getting From College to Career
• Resume & LinkedIn Strategies for New College Graduates
• Finding Work You Love
• How to Navigate Life
• From Classroom to Career

4. Health and Wellness

This includes taking care of your physical and mental health, including regular exercise, proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, managing stress and seeking medical or psychological help when needed.

• Mastering Adulthood
• The Twentysomething Treatment
• The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-care
• Think Like a Monk

5. Time Management and Organization

This involves balancing work, personal life, and other commitments efficiently. Additionally, this includes prioritizing tasks, setting goals, managing schedules and being punctual.

• Martha Stewart’s Organizing
• Happier Hour
• Make Time
• Career Self-care

6. Navigating Relationships

This involves building and maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends, romantic partners, and colleagues.

• How to Be an Adult in Relationships
• You Will Find Your People
• Love Rules
• This Is Supposed to Be Fun
• The Twentysomething Handbook

Looking for books about adulting in general? Check out these titles. 

• Your Turn
• The Little Book of Life Hacks
• Finding Your Passion
• Adulthood for Beginners