Four Ways To Maintain Your Privacy With Roommates

February 10, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

When you need to keep your rent low, living with roommates can be the way to go. As anyone who’s had roommates knows, the budget-friendliness of roommate arrangements doesn’t necessarily equate to a comfortable living situation – common spaces such as living rooms and kitchens can quickly become messier or dirtier than you’d like, you…

Space Heater Safety 101: Stay Warm While Staying Safe

January 30, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Using heat in your apartment during the winter might increase your utility bills, but it’s well worth spending that extra amount to stay comfortable in your apartment. But what if the heat is weak or just doesn’t work? When that’s the case, space heaters can provide powerful, localized heating, but they can be dangerous if…

Help! There’s a Mouse in My Apartment

January 28, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Picture this: You’re alone in your apartment, relaxing on your couch while watching TV. In the distance, you see something that makes you realize you’re not actually alone – a mouse sprints across your kitchen floor or countertops and disappears before you even realize what happened. Unfortunately, seeing a mouse in your apartment isn’t uncommon,…

Three Easy Workouts To Do in Your Apartment

January 23, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In the winter, it can be infinitely more difficult to find the willpower to leave your apartment. It’s cold outside and it gets darker earlier — in other words, the temptation to stay home and binge watch TV is strong! That’s certainly way more appealing than stepping outside for a run or a gym trip,…

Who’s Responsible for Shoveling and De-Icing: You or Your Landlord?

January 21, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Properly heating your apartment is just one part of staying comfortable and safe during the winter. It’s also important that all entryways into your apartment building and the sidewalk in front of it remain clear of snow and ice so that people don’t slip and injure themselves on your property. Depending on what your lease…

Three Key Steps to Take If Your Pipes Freeze

January 15, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

In the winter, temperatures often dip below freezing, so you’re likely using plenty of heat to keep your apartment warm. If you’re unable to use your heat, though, it’s not just the possibility of being cold that should worry you – your pipes could freeze, too, wreaking havoc on your apartment’s plumbing and potentially causing…

Help, My Roommate’s a Vegan!

January 8, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Roommates can make moving into your first apartment a more affordable endeavor. Whether longtime friends or people newer to your life, roommates can help make paying bills way easier, and if you’re prone to feeling lonely, you’ll have a friend you can easily hang out with at home. On the other hand, if you often…

How to Host a New Year’s Gathering in Your Apartment

December 20, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

As New Year’s Eve approaches, you might be wondering how you can properly celebrate. If you’re the entertaining type, you might be considering hosting a gathering in your apartment (or at least a smaller event for some close friends before heading to the night’s big blowout). You’re probably confident your gathering will be fun, but…

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,…

How to Host a Holiday Dinner in Your First Apartment

December 9, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the joys of living alone is, well, being alone. You get to choose when to have people over, and all your living space is just yours, nobody else’s. So when you’re having a bunch of people over for a holiday dinner in your apartment, preparing for the big night can feel a bit…