Budgets, leases, and stress. 8 in 10 young adults say they are not ready
A survey of 2,000 Americans ages 18 to 30 finds widespread uncertainty around everyday life skills. Financial literacy ranks last, confidence is low, and stress is common. Google remains the first stop for help.
A new survey by an essay writing company PapersOwl suggests many young Americans are stepping into adulthood without the basics they need to feel secure. PapersOwl asked 2,000 people ages 18 to 30 to take a practical life-skills quiz and to rate their confidence. Most respondents scored below 60 percent on topics such as budgets, insurance, leases, and legal know-how. Nearly eight in ten said they feel underconfident about everyday skills. About half reported stress during the quiz. A smaller but notable share said the stress felt strong enough to affect their answers. Only one in five felt sure their answers were correct.
Where knowledge falls short
Money knowledge emerged as the weakest area. Correct answers on financial literacy averaged 31 percent. Housing and insurance also proved difficult. Only one third knew which insurance is typically required by law for U.S. drivers. Legal basics and travel logistics hovered in the mid-50s. The one bright spot was food and nutrition. That set cleared 60 percent, including a question that 82 percent answered correctly about dairy-only items. The pattern points to gaps in real-world skills that support independent living.
Confidence, stress, and search habits
Low certainty traveled with high stress. Half of respondents said the quiz felt stressful. Six percent said the stress was strong enough to influence how they answered. Only 20 percent felt truly confident in their responses. When people look for help, they still start online. Google ranked as the top resource for life-skills “how-tos,” far ahead of short-form video platforms or chatbots. Even so, many said they would call a friend or family member first for higher-stakes tasks such as understanding a lease or comparing insurance.
Why it matters now
Life skills are not optional. They determine whether the first apartment stays affordable, whether a bill becomes a collections problem, and whether a minor emergency turns into a long setback. The survey depicts a generation that is digitally fluent yet unsure about the paperwork, policies, and plans that keep daily life stable. Practical knowledge plus small repeatable actions can turn uncertainty into confidence.
What helps right now
Here are a few practical steps from Oryna Shestakova, Head of Communications at PapersOwl.
In your first 90 days on your own, use a simple starter plan to lower stress. Build a budget that puts fixed bills first, then add food, transport, and a small emergency line. Read the lease end to end, note renewal windows, fees, and repair duties, and ask the landlord to clarify anything unclear. Automate one money habit, such as a small savings transfer or a bill payment. Check required insurance. Meet state car minimums, and add low-cost renters coverage if needed.
Most people begin with Google, so steer it toward reliable sources. Use government portals for tenant and consumer rights. Seek nonprofit credit counseling for budgeting and debt basics. Explore university extension programs. Join community workshops that walk through real leases. Turn guesses into steps you can check. Before signing, confirm term, total cost, fees, and exit rules. Before using credit, confirm rate, payment, and payoff timeline. Before picking insurance, compare coverage, deductibles, and the claim process.
The big picture
PapersOwl’s findings show consistent weaknesses in financial literacy and housing know-how. They also show a clear behavior pattern. Young adults start with search and then triangulate with trusted people. That mix can work if the information is reliable and if the next step is concrete. Checklists, short workshops, and template walk-throughs can convert guesswork into action. That is how confidence grows.
