As a kid, I could not wait to “grow up” because that meant freedom to do what I wanted (within reason) and only have myself to answer to (or blame, depending on the situation).

College was a great time and gave me hope that I could actually survive in this world on my own. Then, I graduated college, unsure what the next step would be.

I traveled, worked, applied to jobs and began to get a taste of that freedom I wanted when I was a child.

What I discovered, though, was not this secure and exciting future where life got a little easier; instead, I found out that the adult world — the “real” world — was just like being a kid told what to do except I also had to pay for everything.

My boyfriend and I purchased our first home together in January but have been living together for a few years. We’ve moved apartments and homes multiple times, navigated the healthcare system (sort of), take care of other living things (our cats) and find so much joy in going to bed at a time when my college self would just be going out to the bars (already drunk on Burnett’s Vodka).

At 26 years old, I genuinely feel like I am completely unprepared to take on “adulting,” but I have found a few simple tools to make life just a little easier during a time when everything feels like a challenge.

They aren’t a miracle cure, but you’ll have this list of items when the time comes to begin your post-education, adult life.

1. A Dishwasher

Trust me. Your first big purchase should be a dishwasher because, in theory, you think that handwashing the dishes is not a big deal, but, in practice, you will find yourself faced with a pile of gross dishes that take an hour to clean.

2. New Towels

I recently threw away my towels that I used when I started college, and they were not good quality towels to begin with ($3 at Kmart). When Dom and I bought our house, we also spent a little extra money on better quality towels and I got myself a few microfiber towels for my hair. My skin and colored hair feel so much better.

3. Get a decent vacuum

The best “Black Friday” purchase I have made was a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I no longer fear the possibility that the vacuum might burst into flames — which is how I felt with our ancient vacuum.

4. A REAL coffee maker

I understand the convenience of a Keurig, but you are going to need quality fuel when you start pursuing your careers. You can make an entire pot of coffee (8-10 cups) while a Keurig only offers you a cup at a time of poor-quality caffeination and save so much money. Your bank account and taste buds will thank you.

5. Plastic storage bins

Sounds lame but storing your seasonal clothing and other excessive belongings in these bins — over cardboard boxes and garbage bags — will make moving easier and finding things less of a scavenger hunt. I have never been so excited for organization.

6. A decent comforter and pillows

You do not need to spend a ridiculous amount of money on fancy bedding, but definitely allow yourself to indulge in better quality comfort. You need all the sleep you can get because real life is exhausting.

7. Batteries

You know when I realize I need batteries for something? When the remote is dead and we don’t have batteries or the fire alarm will not stop reminding me to change the battery. Avoid the frustration and just get a few packs of AA and AAA batteries.

8. An air mattress or spare bed and extra bedding

Getting older doesn’t mean you won’t still partake in drunken shenanigans with your friends but do them a favor and let them crash in comfort. You all will feel terrible enough in the morning, your guests don’t need any added pain.

9. A few cookbooks or a binder to keep those recipes you pinned on Pinterest

I know you have an entire Pinterest board of meals you intended on planning out and making, but still haven’t actually made yet. Eating takeout frequently is expensive, but not having a plan for dinner when you get hungry is actual torture. Having a basic cookbook around will be helpful to people who lack cooking skills or the creativity to come up with something other than pizza or sandwiches.

10. Basic baking materials

A positive of being an adult is the freedom to make cookies or brownies whenever you want them, but make sure you always have eggs and butter in your fridge, a couple of cookie sheets and cake pans and some measuring tools. Getting home from a long day at work may call for the healing powers of a sweet treat or makes entertaining guests more enjoyable when you have cookies to offer after a big meal and a few glasses of wine.

11. A few houseplants

I tend to kill plants more than keep them alive, but even buying a bouquet of flowers to brighten up the room can boost your mood and change the vibe in your home. I also just like that plants around the house make me feel like I can breathe easier. And, if you can’t have pets in your home, you can still have some other living organism to care for. Sounds silly, but my favorite impulse buys are when Dom drags me to hardware stores and I just walk around the garden section and find random plants I like. Just make sure that if you do have pets, the plants are safe for animals.

This seems like the most boring shopping list of all time, but I speak from experience. I wanted to believe in this fairy tale that adulthood was going to be a piece of cake, but if you don’t have the right tools to bake up that cake, you are just left with uncertainty — and probably a really dry cake.