Free download for parents

Is your teen ready for adulthood? Free life skills checklist

25 real-world skills every teen should know before moving out. About ten minutes together shows exactly where your teen is ready and where to start.

Inside the free download

  • 25-skill checklist you and your teen both score
  • Gap Finder that shows where to start
  • 7 real-world practice challenges
  • 5 mistakes parents make teaching life skills
  • Conversation starters to get the talk going

Where should we send your checklist?

Created by a 20-year teacher and parent, author of the Teen Life Skills Level Up books (rated 5.0 on Amazon). Unsubscribe anytime.

What the checklist covers

Seven areas of adulting. You and your teen each score all 25 skills, then the Gap Finder shows where to start.

1. Read the fine print

Contracts, fees, auto-renew traps

2. Job ready

Resume, applications, interviews

3. Getting paid

Pay stubs, W-4, direct deposit

4. Money basics

Banking, spending plans, emergency fund

5. Taxes

W-2 vs. 1099, filing a simple return

6. Credit & debt

Credit scores, interest, "only $X a month"

7. Living on your own

Move-out costs, leases, roommates

Plus 7 real-world practice challenges, 5 mistakes parents make, and conversation starters.

Found some gaps?

Adulting in a Box fills them, one module at a time

Every area on the checklist matches a module in our self-paced online course. You don't have to be the teacher. The course does that part.

  • 7 modules, from fine print to a first apartment
  • Short lessons with a printable tool in every one
  • A hands-on, real-life challenge to finish each module
  • Lifetime access for your whole household

★★★★★

“My son… said the information in the Money Basics book was more complete and clearer than any of the modules in his class.”

M. Begley

Teacher and mom · Amazon review of the guides the course is built on

Prefer a book?

Teen Life Skills Level Up: The Complete Collection

Five guides in one paperback: money, jobs, cooking, home and laundry, and adulting paperwork. Short lessons, checklists, and step-by-step instructions, written for teens who don't love reading. A great graduation or birthday gift.

★★★★★  Rated 5.0 out of 5 on Amazon

★★★★★

“As a mother of four and a therapist who has worked with hundreds of teens and young adults, I highly recommend this collection… These guides also serve as wonderful conversation starters for parents.”

S. Bolt

Mom of four and therapist · Amazon review

Reviews trimmed for length. Some reviewers received a free copy of the book.

Next Level Academy

Real-world life skills for teens, created by a 20-year classroom teacher in Roswell, Georgia.

© 2026 Next Level Academy · info@nlaready.com · 470-799-0040