How To Plan (And Stick To) A Food Budget

July 13, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Life without food wouldn’t just be literally impossible – it would be really boring. Three good meals a day aren’t just vital to your health, but a good meal can also be a highlight of your day. Not everyone, though, can easily afford the groceries involved in making an extravagant dish – or buying one…

How to Get COVID-19 Utility Relief: Three Examples

May 14, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive levels of unemployment, in turn dramatically shrinking the budgets of many apartment dwellers. To save money, some people may change their heating or air conditioning use habits, but if your financial situation requires you to scale back on utility spending more urgently, you may have other options. Many…

Why Moving With Debt Isn’t Right For Everyone

December 30, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Rent payments tend to comprise a massive chunk of the average person’s budget. If you’re looking to move into your first apartment, your rent payments might feel like even more of a strain on your finances if you’re also paying off debts such as student loans, an auto loan, or credit card debt. Thus, if…

MFA IRL: How Should Sheamus Budget for Rent and Living Expenses on His Fixed Income?

April 26, 2019 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Sheamus asks: “Hello I am autistic and I am looking to get a place of my own. I am on a fixed income and I was wondering how I can budget that?” Hi Sheamus, We are excited to hear that you are about to move to your own place. It’s a big step for all…

MFA IRL: Can Tori Afford $ 753 Rent?

March 15, 2019 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Tori asks: “Ok, I make $14.25 an hr, get paid every week. Car note is $528 and my insurance is $293 a month, plus phone bill $80 a month, gas to work is $40 a week. I have a 4 yr old son. Can I afford 753 for rent?” Tori, Like many young adults you…

Do You Need a Financial Adviser?

February 11, 2019 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

When you venture out on your own, there are plenty of new responsibilities that come your way… like being financially responsible and planning for your future! A financial adviser may help you set and meet financial goals and introduce you to the world of money management during this new chapter of your life. Here are a…

Should You Hire Movers? This Investment Could Be Worth It

February 8, 2019 | By Shea AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving is stressful. From packing up all of your personal belonging to weeding out what you need to get rid of, there’s a ton of work that goes into moving to your first apartment. To relieve some of that stress, you may be wondering should you hire movers? This is a complicated question. Is it…

MFA IRL: How Much Rent Can Olivia Afford?

January 27, 2019 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

We are starting today a new series, MFA IRL or My First Apartment In Real Life, where we answer selected reader questions that were posted in the comments. You can also email your questions/comments to [email protected]. Olivia, 23, moving out of her parents’ house later this year, asks: “How much rent can I afford?” Income:…

5 Things You Need To Meet Your 2019 Organization Goals

January 18, 2019 | By Shea AuthorMy First Apartment

A new year means a new start. Whether you’re adding health goals to your resolution list or budgeting plans to your must-dos of the new year, it’s a great time to get on top of things. That’s why these 5 things you need to meet your 2019 organization goals are so important. You don’t want…

How to Navigate a Housing Budget

January 6, 2019 | By Nat AuthorMy First Apartment

The general suggestion for rent is 30% of monthly income, but many people end up paying far more. In fact, 1 in 5 millennial parents report spending 50-59% of income on housing, according to a 2016 report from the National Endowment for Financial Education. Crazy, right? Due to rising rental rates and fewer available units,…