The 4-1-1 on Life Skills – A Perfect Graduation Gift

The 4-1-1 on Life Skills – A Perfect Graduation Gift

I have just stumbled on to the perfect graduation gift.  The 4-1-1 on Life Skills by Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN should go hand in hand with a high school or college diploma.  Packed with great information on home and money management, personal care, safety and much more, the book explains in detail how to navigate the world of living on your own and how to manage your everyday life.  Parents will still have to contribute some advice, but this book will make things much easier.

The 4-1-1 on Life Skills is broken out into 26 chapters starting with Cleaning Supplies: A Basic List and ending with Boomerang Kids.  There is even a chapter on making funeral arrangements!

My favorite chapter was Disaster Preparedness.  Growing up in California and living in Washington means being ready for earthquakes.  We keep emergency supplies on hand at home, but always worry that our kids living in their own apartments might not have what they need.  The Disaster Preparedness chapter lists types of disasters and ‘what-to-do’ advice for several common ones such as earthquakes, floods and tornadoes.  The importance of having a plan is discussed and a comprehensive emergency supply list is included.  Reading this chapter reminded me of several items we still needed in our emergency kit and gave me a good framework to discuss disaster preparedness with my kids.

For young adults just starting out in their first job, the Finances chapter is  a must read.  Banking, credit scores, retirement accounts and the all important credit score are explained.  And once the kids are ready to move out there is a chapter on Buying a Home/Renting an Apartment including how to manage a move.

We will be attending a college graduation party in a couple of weeks and I have already bought a copy of The 4-1-1 on Life Skills for our young friend who will be striking out on his own.  Give it as a gift to a graduating senior or your own child and help launch them into the world with lots of good information.

Leave a comment about this blog post and enter to win a copy of  The 4-1-1 on Life Skills.  Comments must be left by 12 midnight PST on Friday, May 25th, 2012.