Pros and Cons: Electric vs. Gas

October 21, 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. When you’re looking to move into your first apartment, it’s common to see some apartment listings with gas heating and stoves. You might also see electric heating and stoves (and many gas appliances…

Seven Questions About Apartment Space That Aren’t Square Footage

October 19, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Based on your preferences and lifestyle, you will need a certain amount of space in your apartment. While hunting for your new apartment, you might wonder just how much (or how little) square footage you’ll need. But sometimes, it’s not all about the amount of space you have. Here are seven questions about apartment space…

Sustainable Living: Shopping Bulk with Reusable Containers

October 15, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In our Sustainable Living series, we look at how tenants and homeowners are changing their apartments to be more sustainable. Bulk items, such as loose oats and nuts, are often packaged in thin single-user plastic. Like all plastics, this packaging is not biodegradable and usually takes 400 years or more to break down. Additionally, plastics…

Four Ways To Keep Your First Apartment Warmer

October 13, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Many apartments, even those built with proper insulation, have imperfectly sealed areas through which cold drafts enter your space. Often, cold drafts will require you to use more energy (and thus spend more money) to heat your apartment, so they’re worth fixing – but how? And what are the most energy-efficient ways to stay warm?…

How Does The CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Affect You?

October 2, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans have been struggling to pay their rent and avoid eviction. About a month ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) passed an eviction moratorium to prevent Americans from getting evicted from their apartments. If you’re having difficulties paying your rent, here’s what you need to…

Five Common Security Deposit Deductions Your Landlord Can Take

September 29, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Security deposits are among the more significant finances involved with renting your first apartment. These deposits cover any damage you cause to your apartment, and even the most careful tenants can easily cause minor damage to their first apartments. After you move out, your landlord will subtract the monetary equivalent of any damage you cause…

Sustainable Living: Why – And How – You Should Compost

September 27, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In our Sustainable Living series, we look at how tenants and homeowners are changing their apartments to be more sustainable. The average American generates about four pounds of trash per day and approximately 254 million pounds of trash per year, creating hefty amounts of unnecessary waste in our landfills. Many people compost instead to convert…

Cast-Iron Skillet vs. Dutch Oven: Which Is Better for Your First Apartment?

September 21, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Cooking at home saves you money, but you need the right kitchenware to do it. You may have noticed in many recipes that chefs call for Dutch ovens and cast iron skillets. Both can go from the stove to the oven, and they can evenly cook food better than traditional pots and pans. Additionally, both…

Four Tips For Sleeping Better In Noisy Apartments

September 18, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If your apartment is located on a noisy street or you have loud neighbors, you might have trouble sleeping. Loud sounds can interrupt your sleep, causing insomnia and sleep deprivation. The good news is, there are things you can do about it. Here are four tips for sleeping better in a noisy apartment. White noise …

Sustainable Living: Should You Hang-Dry Your Clothes Instead of Using Your Dryer?

September 8, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In our Sustainable Apartment Life series, we look at how tenants and homeowners are changing their apartments to be more sustainable. If you want to be environmentally friendly and take steps to adopt an energy-efficient lifestyle, hang-drying your clothes could be an excellent way to start. But is doing so right for you, or will…