# Life skills checklist for teens (ages 14–18)

Canonical page: https://readyadult.com/life-skills-checklist
Language: en-US

A practical checklist of real-world skills to practice before a teenager leaves home,
grouped by the 12 ReadyAdult readiness categories.

## Finance
- Open and manage a checking account
- Read a pay stub and understand taxes withheld
- Build a simple monthly budget
- Understand credit, interest and a credit score
- Spot a scam or fraudulent charge

## Career
- Write a one-page resume
- Fill out a job application honestly and completely
- Answer common interview questions
- Ask a manager for time off professionally
- Understand a work schedule and being on time

## Driving & transportation
- Get a permit or license and know the rules
- Pump gas, check tire pressure and oil
- Handle a flat tire or a dead battery
- Read and follow public transit routes
- Book and ride a rideshare safely

## Education
- Track deadlines with a calendar
- Study without supervision
- Email a teacher or advisor properly
- Understand financial aid, FAFSA and college costs

## Cooking & home care
- Cook five reliable meals from scratch
- Shop with a grocery list and a budget
- Store, reheat and discard food safely
- Do laundry start to finish
- Clean a kitchen and bathroom properly
- Unclog a drain and reset a breaker

## Health
- Schedule a doctor or dentist appointment
- Describe symptoms and ask questions
- Fill and take a prescription correctly
- Basic first aid and when to seek care
- Sleep, exercise and stress basics

## Documents & admin
- Keep a Social Security card, birth certificate and ID safe
- Renew an ID or passport
- Understand insurance cards and coverage basics
- Read a contract or lease before signing

## Communication
- Make a phone call to a business
- Write a clear, polite email
- Resolve a billing dispute
- Set boundaries and say no

## Digital safety
- Use strong, unique passwords and 2FA
- Recognize phishing and social engineering
- Manage a public online footprint
- Understand privacy settings and data sharing

## Independence
- Wake up and manage a day without reminders
- Plan and follow a weekly routine
- Ask for help from the right person
- Handle an unexpected problem calmly

Take the free assessment to see which of these your teenager can already do:
https://readyadult.com/