The MFA Answer Box: Problems with Packages, Pools, Cats, GF and Building’s Rules

April 4, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Every so often, we run a feature on MFA where we’ll give a lucky reader (okay, a reader who nicely emails us!) our take on his/her apartment problem. This week, we respond to Lee in Texas who’s wondering if he’s being too sensitive. . . or if he actively needs to find new living arrangements.…

Nosey or Noisy- Tips for Getting Along with Your Neighbors

March 16, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Neighbors. Everyone’s got ’em. Sometimes for the better…sometimes not. Recently, our friends at Jezebel asked us if we could share any tips about how to get along with one’s neighbors and we were happy to oblige. Check out Jezebel’s full social minefield article and see the tips we shared below! Should you introduce yourself to your neighbors…

Elyse Asks To Dorm or Not to Dorm Next Semester?

January 27, 2011 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

“To Dorm or Not to Dorm?” That is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of RA’s and ugly furniture; or to take arms against the sea of the real world and move into an apartment… The spring semester has started, and that means colleges will be writing…

How to Throw a Last Minute New Year’s Eve Party

December 30, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’ve recently moved into a new place, there’s no better way to make a place feel lived in than by having a gather/party/what have you. Sure, it means wet entryways (at least if you live in the Northeast!) but it also means adding warmth and friends to what may feel like an unfamiliar abode.…

The Holiday Tipping Experiment

December 12, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

In years previous, I’ve written about holiday tipping. If you’re looking for that article, about suggested tipping amounts, check out my recent article called Holiday Tip 2009 . As a preview — your hair stylist might be expecting as much as $20! The topic was first proposed by my editor and I was a bit baffled…

Easy First Apartment Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dinner Party

November 23, 2010 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

First Thanksgiving away from home and the budget does not allow you to go “over the river and through the woods” to grandma’s house. Instead of getting depressed and crying into your sushi dinner after a lonely movie, throw your own Thanksgiving dinner party and hardly dip into your personal finances. The menu planning is…

7 Items to Keep You Warm When the Radiator Stays Cold

November 16, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Remember last winter, when banging at the cold radiator sounded like a rocking drumbeat but still didn’t bring any heat? This year, don’t depend on the radiator gods — be prepared with a few inexpensive items that’ll help make you get warm fast, no matter how cold your apt is. A Hot Water Bottle Stays Toasty…

5 Flights or Staying on Budget and in Shape

November 12, 2010 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Our blogger Elyse shares her exercise secrets. 5 Flights: Staying on Budget and in Shape When you’re living on your own for the first time, it’s probably safe to say you don’t really have the money to spare on a gym membership. (Especially if you live in New York City.) When I first moved in…

The Fifth Floor Girls and the Second Floor Guys.

October 14, 2010 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Our guest blogger Elyse learns why it pays to be friendly with your neighbors. The Fifth Floor Girls and the Second Floor Guys. We moved in on the same day as our second floor neighbors. They were three guys, we were three girls and we were close enough in age to comfortably mix socially. They…

How to Plan a Week of Healthy Meals for $60

September 29, 2010 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Our guest blogger Elyse is an NYU student who just recently managed to free herself from the college dormitory system. Me and My Grocery List The one thing I never understood in college was how quickly people abandoned their meal plans. Why would a person choose to cook meals, wash dishes and, the worst part of…