Should You Rent-to-Own or Just Rent? Pros and Cons

December 16, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

To some people eager to own their first apartment, it may seem like there’s no easy purchase option without putting down cash or getting a mortgage. Rent-to-own apartments offer a solution. At the end of an apartment rental lease, the tenant has the option to buy the apartment for a predetermined price fixed in the…

Here’s Your Ultimate First Apartment Utility Budgeting Checklist

December 13, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Winter has already arrived in most of the U.S. That means increased utility bills as you try to keep your apartment properly warm while the temperature outside dips below freezing. If you’re living on a budget, this bump in utility bills might cause you some stress, but with this ultimate first apartment utility budgeting checklist,…

Five Ways to Save on Your Winter Heating Bill

November 27, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When it’s cold out, few things compare to the rush of warmth that passes through you as you step into your apartment from the outside world. Keeping your apartment’s temperature bearable tends to get a bit pricey, but if you cherish warmth, you’re likely OK with your winter utility costs going up just a bit.…

Store Brands Vs. Brand Names: Which Is Really Cheaper?

November 22, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

As you walk the aisles of a supermarket or drugstore, you’ll see a handful of different brands selling similar products. Whether you’re buying frozen vegetables, contact solution, or cleaning supplies, you’ll have the option to purchase your product from whichever brand you like best. Or maybe you’re looking to buy the least expensive option possible,…

What Is a Guarantor?

November 18, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Even if you’re mentally ready to move into your first apartment, you might not be financially ready. In some parts of the country, it’s common practice for landlords to require that your yearly income be 40 times the monthly rent, limiting your available options (or forcing you to split your rent with roommates). That’s why…

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…

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…

Five Halloween Decor Ideas for Your First Apartment

October 23, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Do all the Halloween decorations you’re encountering at local bars and shops, not to mention houses around the neighborhood, have you wondering how you can properly spook up your home for the scary season? Let skeletons and witches be the only thing you fear this Halloween – with these five Halloween decor ideas for your…

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…

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…