Book offers advice

Nearly half of this year's college graduates are expected to move back home.
NEW YORK -- Students graduating from college aren't always ready or financially able to strike out on their own.
In fact, one survey shows that 48 percent of all students will find themselves knocking on their family's door come graduation. The same survey says that 44 percent of last year's graduates are still living with their parents.
After all, with astronomical tuition costs, credit card debt and high cost of housing in major metropolitan areas, what's a newly minted college graduate to do?
"While some boomerangers manage to avoid the pitfalls of moving back home again, many don't adequately prepare themselves for the practical, economic and emotional realities of moving back in with Mom and Dad," says Elina Furman, author of "Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with your Parents the Second Time Around" and a former boomeranger herself.
& quot;My goal is to help grads realize that not only can they go home again, they can survive and thrive there," she said.
There are a myriad of challenges to deal with, including navigating tense family dynamics, managing finances, dealing with privacy issues and dating.
Tips for grads
Furman offers these five tips to help make it all work out:
Set a move-out deadline: Otherwise parents will be become frustrated and graduates may become unmotivated to move out on their own.
Don't let them baby you: Some parents don't want their kids to grow up. If your parents try to baby you, show them you're an adult by taking on household responsibilities like fixing the computer or cooking dinner.
Don't put your life on hold: Make an effort to get involved in local activities and meet new singles in your area while living at home. Parents should carry on with day-to-day activities as they normally would or risk resentment setting in.
Have a goal: Saving for a down payment on a house, starting a business, finding a job, eliminating debt -- these are all good reasons to move back home. Parents and kids should discuss these goals and work together to make them a reality.
Pay rent: Whether the boomeranger pays $50 or $300 a month, it's important that they contribute to the household. If parents feel guilty accepting cash, invest the funds and present the money as a gift once the kids are ready to move out.