Things You DON’T Need for Your First Apartment

September 13, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In your preparation for moving into your first apartment, you’ve probably encountered plenty of lists detailing every single thing you need to be truly self-sufficient at home. You’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of items on these lists, but with each purchase for your first apartment, you spend precious money – and even…

What Are HOAs? How Renters Should Navigate Them

September 3, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Renting an apartment from a landlord or management company is par for the course, but renting a townhome is a less common occurrence. A townhome, as compared to an apartment, a rowhome, or even a standalone home on a suburban street, is part of a larger living community where certain rules apply. An organization called…

Help! I Want To Save But My Friends Love Going Out

August 15, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Going out with friends to a restaurant, club, bar, or show is sure to be a fun time, but it sure doesn’t come for free! That $13 burger, $20 club cover, or $40 show ticket – not to mention the cost of getting to and from your apartment – adds up over time. If your…

Can You Really Stick to a $200 Monthly Grocery Budget?

August 13, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s pretty much common sense that buying groceries and making your own food at home is a way less expensive alternative to ordering delivery or take-out or grabbing a bite at your local bar, cafe, or restaurant. Yet monthly grocery costs can still add up quickly, with many households reporting that they spend several hundreds…

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…

Negotiate Your Renewal Increase Down

July 27, 2019 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

There’s no denying it: part of how your landlord makes money is through an annual renewal increase. While these increases keep your rent payment on par with your community, they can also be unexpected and unwelcome. If you’re surprised by a higher increase than you expected or simply would like to try to keep your…

Does A Raise Mean You Should Upgrade Your Apartment?

July 22, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When your next raise kicks in, you may find yourself dreaming of all the things you could buy with that cash bump. You might want to consider using that extra money to redecorate your home. You may even think about an entirely new apartment that’s now in your budget. But does a raise mean you…

How To Decorate Your Apartment On $500 Or Less

July 15, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

With all the costs that come along with moving, decorating can seem like the most frivolous spend you can make. However, nobody really wants to stare at the same blank walls day after day. To truly transform your apartment into something you can call your own, that involves putting a little personality on the walls,…

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…

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,…