How to Have a Stoop Sale

July 16, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s summer, you’re short on cash, and you need to clean out the junk in your apartment. Why not have a stoop sale? It’s not a bad idea. First, though, remember that there’s a fundamental tension in a stoop sale: you’re trying to get rid of stuff you don’t want – and yet you’re hoping…

Keep Your Summer Electric Bill Down

July 14, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

We’re in the throes of summer, so it can get hot – and for many people, that means a very, very high electric bill, since they’re spending mad money on the ol’ AC. But it doesn’t have to be that way – while your bill will probably go up no matter what you do, here…

Tips for Hassle-Free Splitting of Bills with Roommates

June 30, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

You know how it goes. One roommate has the cable bill in his name. Another roommate has his name on the electricity and heat. And you’re the one that mails in the rent check. And then there’s groceries, which you try to trade off on, but it may just be that you’ve footed the bill…

What’s Your Landlord’s Responsibility? And What’s Yours?

June 17, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

When you first move into an apartment, you might be a bit confused. Who takes care of what? Is it your problem if the refrigerator breaks? Or is it the landlord’s problem? If the toilet runs, do you need to fix it? Does it matter? If you’re new to the apartment world, these are common…

Do You Need A Broker To Find A Rental?

June 10, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Do you need to use a broker to find a decent place to live? It may seem to many of our readers that if you use a broker to find an apartment, you’re wasting your money, or you’re spoiled and not a “real” apartment hunter. In fact, I felt that way, too – until I used…

Is Dating Your Roommate Ever A Good Idea?

May 31, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

So here’s the thing: people write us with all sorts of scenarios, often involving their roommates, their roommates’ significant others, and general relationships-when-you’re-living-in-an-apartment type questions. It’s a hot-button issue for us. Seriously. If you don’t believe me, check out the comments on our article about a roommate’s girlfriend. Relationships can cause problems. It’s par for…

Rating The Best Apartment Hunting Apps

May 27, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

We live in a mobile world. There’s no denying it. The trouble is, there are so many apps, it’s often overwhelming … and difficult to find one that doesn’t crash every ten minutes. So, after some consideration, we decided enough is enough: it’s time for us to list some of the best apartment-finding apps available.…

Furnishing an Apartment for under $2,000

May 19, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

A month ago, we reviewed what to do if you need to furnish your apartment in $500 or less. Today, we’ll touch on suggestions if your budget’s a little bit larger – basically under $2,000. Which, when you consider our most recent first apartment checklist, isn’t so outlandish … after all, there’s a lot of…

Should You Join a CSA for Your Fresh Veggies and Fruit?

May 7, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Let’s start with this: we here at My First Apartment strongly suggest making a habit of cooking at home. Why? First, it saves you a ton of money. Second, you learn a valuable skill (cooking). Third, usually when you eat at home, what you eat is healthier than what you’d have eating out (since you’re…

Apartment Hunting Tips for New Grad Students

April 4, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

You just got the happy email and the fat envelope. You’re very excited about your new school and the move to a new city. Then it hits you: “Where am I going to live?” You’re going to need to look for housing. However, unlike undergrad, it’s not nearly so easy as your new school plopping you…