Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with Your Parents...the Second Time Around [Paperback]

Elina Furman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2005

You can go home again! Boomerangers are on the rise. Named for the nearly eighteen million 18- to 35-year-old Americans currently living at home, this rapidly growing phenomenom is becoming a way of life for many college graduates and adults looking for a rent- and hassle-free way to get out of debt and plan a course of action for their futures.

Written by Elina Furman, who happily survived living at home the second time around, this timely, information-packed guide offers Boomerangers -- both practicing and aspiring -- wisdom on how to cope with the practical, economic, emotional, and psychological realities of moving back in with Mom and Dad. Furman debunks popular myths, such as that college graduation marks the beginning of domestic and financial freedom, and offers dynamic action plans, proven strategies, and practical advice on:

• Taking the plunge -- are you ready to move back home?
• Making a financial plan and sticking to it
• Discovering the hidden benefits of living at home
• Determining whenter you have a Cool, Reluctant, or Perma-Parent
• Maintaining privacy
• Setting and following house rules
• Handling the stigma
• Dealing with sibling rivalry

With special chapters on brainstorming new career objectives and dating under your parents¹ roof, and featuring inspiring tales from the trenches by independent and successful Boomerangers, Boomerang Nation proves that not only can you go home again, you can survive and thrive there.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rents aren't getting cheaper, high-paying jobs aren't getting easier to find, and the result is that financial independence can be tough for young adults to create. For many, the answer is moving back home with their parents; it's a phenomenon that gets more sitcom jokes than thoughtful discussion. Enter Boomerang Nation, a how-to guide that helps ease family frustrations when the empty nest is suddenly full again.

Author Elina Furman's (The Everything After College Book) mix of sympathy and snarky humor manages to simultaneously give you a hug and a firm kick in the rear. Rather than focusing on her own experience (many years of living with mom after college), Furman covers a full range of possible reasons for moving in with the folks: break ups, job loss, grad school, parents in need of assistance, and saving money for a specific goal are all included. Tidbits from a number of interviews with boomerangers are found in every chapter; though short, the personal stories add a friendly touch.

The advice covers highly specific topics with pleasing bluntness. Her insistence on helping out around the house and chipping in financially will have parents delightedly highlighting sections, while her understanding of modern dating and examination of parenting styles helps the younger generation sort though complex issues. Don't let the lighthearted writing style fool you: Furman's sensible suggestions can help everyone in the family straighten out the wrinkles of redefined relationships. Jill Lightner

Review

"When you quarterlifers move back home -- and you will -- make sure you have this book by your bedside."

-- Abby Wilner, coauthor of Quarterlife Crisis

"A lifesaving resource for anyone young, broke, and contemplating the unthinkable. With this book, moving back home doesn¹t have to mean that life as you know it is over. Furman shows us there is such a thing as the light at the end of your parents¹ driveway."

-- Jason Anthony, coauthor of Debt-Free by 30

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (May 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743269918
• ISBN-13: 978-0743269919
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,050,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elina Furman, author, life skills and relationship expert, has written over 20 books, including "Kiss and Run: The Single, Picky and Indecisive Girl's Guide to Overcoming Her Fear of Commitment," "Boomerang Nation," "The Everything After College Book" and "Generation, Inc." She has appeared on dozens of television and radio shows, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS The Early Show, New York Weekend Today, and many more. Her books have been featured in newspapers and magazines, such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, The Washington Post, USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Newsweek, Money, and Entertainment Weekly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a complete toolkit for an undesirable situation, May 15, 2005

By 

Kermit (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with Your Parents...the Second Time Around (Paperback)

My father bought this book for me this weekend. At first I thought it was a prank on me poking fun about me moving back in with him, my mother and little sister in a few weeks. However after reading it, I can't recommend it enough for someone moving back in. Rather than focus on how hard it is to move back home, the book makes a person realize that they are not alone and that many people are doing the same. The advice given is really practical and it seems it is written by someone who understands the needs of a twenty one year old who wants to have an active social life and get out fast. I did wish the book expanded more on some how to explain to friends that this is normal. In the end I found this book very helpful and very funny.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little disappointing, July 24, 2005

By 

Cutenewt (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with Your Parents...the Second Time Around (Paperback)

I was disappointed in this book because it focused too much on one specific living situation - young adults who are moving home with their happy suburban parents. In several places, the author suggests that doing your own laundry and not coming in at 3am trashed will greatly improve many relationship issues with your parents. It never actually occured to me to ask my folks to do my laundry - I think I'm missing out here. Also, there are many mentions of things like how to deal when your hip parents when they want to go to happy hour with you and your friends, and how to understand that they are tired from the workday too and might want to hit the bar. What about dealing with retired parents, single parents, ill parents, and all those other things that bring us home that raise many issues (like privacy, expenses, mealtime, etc.). Finally, it was difficult for me to feel bad for the people in the book who lived in the 'burbs and had to drive a whole hour to get to their friends hang outs now that they lived at home. There is a large portion of people who don't live anywhere near a metropolitan area for a quick fix in an hour's drive. The suggestion that those of us in small towns still have places to go to meet people our own age - like the local bookstore - perplexed me. We have two stoplights. I haven't noticed a bookstore at either intersection - but I can dream. On the bright side, it was nice to see some stats in the book about how many young adults really are returning home (for various reasons) and there are some good web sites metioned in the book for things like health insurance, moving, finding jobs, and meeting people. If you are not an early 20s college grad who just moved an hour away from a major city and are suffering by living with your extremely hip working parents who refuse to always look the other way when you drag kegs into your room, then definitely only get this book only for some humorous stories - not actual advice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What an interesting read!, July 21, 2005

By 

Karen Cox (South Brunswick, NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with Your Parents...the Second Time Around (Paperback)

This book was so much fun! Anyone who is considering moving back home (or anyone who has someone who is moving back home) should read it. Elina Furman has very good insight and the book was light and easy to read.