Five Ways To Use AC Without Overspending

August 6, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

On a hot day, there are few joys like stepping into an air-conditioned building from the sweltering outdoors. You’re probably familiar, though, with how expensive it gets to run the air conditioner all day long. Whether your apartment is powered by central air or window units, you likely see your electric bill skyrocket during summer…

Your Ultimate Smart Home Device Guide

July 31, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

A smart home device allows you to control certain parts of your apartment remotely. As long as you have an internet connection (or data access, depending on the device), you can keep track of what’s going on in your apartment and make sure you return to a home that’s just the way you want it. …

Should You Install A Security System In Your Apartment?

July 29, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

There are few notions quite as unsettling as the idea that neither you nor your belongings are truly safe at home. According to the FBI, over 2 million homes each year fall prey to burglary. Even if you lock the knob, deadbolt, and chain on your front door, close and lock all your windows, and…

Four Questions To Ask A New Landlord About Apartment Maintenance

July 26, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When your ceiling starts leaking, your dishwasher stops working, or your oven stops heating, you’ll need to call an expert to take care of your problem. If you’re renting your apartment, your landlord is likely required to schedule and pay for major repairs of this nature. While there may be a clear set of obligations…

How To Assemble Your First At-Home Bar

July 19, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

A bar is an exciting way to entertain friends and family while keeping your liquor and barware organized. It lets you have a drink or two at home much more cheaply than if you went out for one. However, putting together an at-home bar might take some work to assemble. To save you time and…

What Is The KonMari Method And Should You Try It?

June 30, 2019 | By Shea AuthorMy First Apartment

If you hadn’t heard of Marie Kondo, you probably have now. The tidying mega-star is known for her book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and now she’s got a Netflix series under her belt that basically made her name one of the most well-known for users of the streaming service. If you haven’t watched…

How To Upgrade Your College Apartment For Cheap

June 25, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If there’s any stereotype that holds true, it’s that most college students don’t have much money. Between taking out large student loans, struggling to make time for paid work against the burden of schoolwork and classes, and going out with friends, students often need to save money however they can. At the same time,…

How You Should Budget When Your Significant Other Is Moving In

June 21, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

This is a huge moment in your life: You’ve found that special someone, you’ve been with them for quite some time, and you’re planning the next significant step: to share a home with them. Although the notion of your significant other moving in may be a storied, romantic one, it comes with no shortage of…

Creative Ways To Save Space In A Studio Apartment

June 18, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

You’ve made the big leap. After years of sharing homes with roommates, you’ve signed a lease and put down a deposit on your first apartment alone, a studio that you’ll have entirely to yourself. The only downside is adjusting to life in a smaller space. Most studios are just several hundred square feet in size,…

Should You Give Up Cable? Pros and Cons to Cutting the Cord

June 14, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

All your bills come under greater scrutiny once a good chunk of your budget begins to go toward the rent. If you’re new to renting, it’s only natural to examine your other bills to see where you can reduce your costs. There are plenty of small things you can do to reduce that monthly burden,…