Five Essential Subletter Etiquette Rules

November 15, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re subletting from someone, you’ll be living in an apartment that’s at once yours and very much not yours. You might be a bit worried about how you can properly feel at home while respecting the original tenant’s space. With these five essential rules for subletter etiquette rules, you should have no trouble comfortably…

How to Host Thanksgiving in Your First Apartment

November 11, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s always nice to have a few friends swing by your apartment for a relaxing hang, especially when you live alone. Having a big group of friends over, though, can present challenges. You might feel even more stressed if you’re having family over, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, you might find yourself in…

Is a Laundry Service Worth the Money?

October 29, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Although stretching out with a warm blanket pulled fresh from the dryer is among life’s best small comforts, few people enjoy the time and effort that goes into doing laundry, not to mention folding clothes once they’re out of the dryer. Laundry can be even more annoying if you don’t have a washer and dryer…

Four Great Housewarming Gifts for Your Friend’s First Apartment

October 28, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re the kind of person who likes to invite friends to celebrate big moments with you, then maybe you had a housewarming party when you moved into your first apartment. When you did, maybe some of your friends got you housewarming gifts for the occasion. And now that your friends are moving into their…

Is an Apartment Cleaning Service Worth the Money?

October 24, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Having your own apartment can give you thorough peace of mind, but keeping it clean can just as quickly bring stress back into your life. No matter how hard you try, a thin layer of dust will all but inevitably make itself at home on your dresser, bookshelf, and other surfaces that mostly go untouched…

Can Your Landlord Raise Your Rent?

October 17, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’ve ever rented an apartment, you’re probably all too familiar with the nagging worry that your landlord will eventually raise your rent. In some cities, this practice is more common than in others, though it is fully legal throughout the U.S. That said, there are rules on how landlords must go about raising your…

Smart TVs vs. Streaming Boxes: Which Is Right for You?

October 11, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Although lots of people subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video (or some combination of all three), not everybody has a giant screen for watching their favorite TV shows and movies. Even if you’re the kind of person whose usual way to watch the latest episode of The Bachelorette is to curl up in…

Bed Bath & Beyond Is Closing – Five Other Great Home Goods Stores

October 9, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Recently, leading home goods store Bed Bath & Beyond announced that it plans to shutter 60 of its retail locations following the 2019 holiday shopping season. This figure marks a 50 percent increase from earlier this year, when the company estimated that it would close 40 stores. Bed Bath & Beyond isn’t alone in scaling…

Going on Vacation? Your Ultimate Apartment Prep Checklist

September 25, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re going away for a couple of nights, you’re probably not thinking too much about what could happen to your apartment as it sits alone and unattended for such a short time. But what if you’re taking a much longer vacation? When do you need a friend or a family member to “check in”…

Four IKEA Apartment Decoration Hacks

September 16, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

IKEA has become the go-to furniture and decoration brand for anyone operating on a modest budget. The Swedish company’s items look thoroughly modern, with simple designs and eye-catching but not overwhelming colors defining its idiosyncratic aesthetic. It’s just not the brand’s agreeable design approach that’s made it so beloved – it’s their prices, which are…