Three Fun Video Dinner Party Ideas

April 9, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Just because you’re social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with friends. Sure, you can’t see people in person (well, other than your roommates), but you can always have a video dinner party with your friends to make the best of your physical separation. If anything, the massive impact…

How to Safely Use Bleach as a Cleaner

April 6, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When disinfecting surfaces in your apartment to minimize your chances of spreading or catching COVID-19, you might turn to bleach as your disinfecting product of choice. Bleach is a viable last-resort option if you don’t have disinfecting wipes, disinfecting sprays, isopropyl alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide on hand – and since most stores haven’t been able…

What Do I Do If My Roommate Needs to Quarantine?

April 3, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take an outsize toll on everyday life, staying at home has grown beyond just sound medical advice. In several states, it’s become the law of the land. With mandatory stay-at-home orders enacted across the country, some people living with roommates or partners may be grateful they’re not alone during…

How Does the Coronavirus Stimulus Package Address Mortgage Relief?

April 2, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

On March 27, President Trump signed a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that provides financial relief for individuals, small businesses, state and local governments, and other entities. Included in the package are significant mortgage relief options for apartment owners who are at least temporarily unable to make their usual monthly payments. Here’s everything you need…

Pros and Cons: Living in a Doorman Building

March 31, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In our Pros and Cons series, we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of important decisions that apartment dwellers are making every day. As luxury rentals and mixed-use developments become more common in the U.S., doorman buildings have also become more abundant. In these buildings, a doorman greets you as you enter, though the term “doorman”…

Help! My Roommate Never Does The Dishes

March 30, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s a situation many apartment dwellers face: You want to keep your apartment clean and tidy, but your roommate’s dishes go uncleaned in the kitchen sink for days. How do you address your situation with a roommate who never does the dishes? Find the best steps to take below. We, not me When dealing with…

How to Properly Disinfect Surfaces

March 27, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

You’ve probably heard the advice ad nauseam by now: In addition to washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, you can lower your chances of catching or spreading COVID-19 by disinfecting surfaces around your apartment. Just as handwashing that lasts less than 20 seconds is significantly less effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission,…

What If I Can’t Pay My Rent or Mortgage Due to Coronavirus?

March 25, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Over the past two weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has at least temporarily shuttered a wide variety of small businesses, especially those in the restaurant, nightlife, hospitality, beauty, and entertainment industries. In turn, millions of people have been left with no source of income, and if you’re one of these people, you might be struggling to…

Four Fresh Spring Decor Ideas for Your First Apartment

March 23, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s one thing to get your spring cleaning done, but a sparkling, dust-free apartment isn’t necessarily a home with character. That’s where spring decor comes in. As you open your windows for the first time in months and the sun starts to shine in for more hours per day, the environment in your apartment will…

How to Tackle Spring Cleaning With Your Roommates

March 19, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The tradition of spring cleaning may seem overwhelming. Do you really want to take the time and put in the labor to clean your entire apartment? This concern can be less pressing when you have roommates because you can all split the work evenly. Here’s how to tackle spring cleaning with your roommates. Decide what…