How to Create a Basic Budget

July 28, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

Creating a budget is one of the most important steps in keeping your finances in order. When you move into your first apartment, you’ll have to pay for necessities, such as rent, utilities, and groceries, while also being able to afford many other monthly bills, including commuting or car payments, student loan payments, phone, cable…

How to Save Money on Food

July 11, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

Food can get expensive, especially if you add eating out at restaurants to your cost. Redesigning how you buy and cook can save you a lot of money on food. Whether your budget needs organization, you need to clip coupons, or you need to learn better meal prep, saving money on food is definitely doable.…

25 First Apartment Essentials

June 29, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into your first apartment and not sure what you’ll need? Here’s a list of 25 essential items that will get you started furnishing your new place. Cleaning Supplies: 1. Broom and dustpan 2. Mop, bucket, and all purpose cleaning liquid 3. Paper towels 4. Disinfecting spray 5. Wash cloths (microfiber works great) 6. Laundry…

7 Point Apartment Security Checklist

June 26, 2016 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into your own place is so exciting that apartment security may be the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, bad things can happen even in best places. Luckily, you can minimize the chances that they happen to you by taking a few simple safety measures. For your additional peace of mind, make sure to…

7 Ways to Stay Friends with Your Roommate

May 2, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

Living with a roommate can be fun and exciting, but it can also be hard. You and your roommate may have different schedules where you don’t see each other often. You may like a clean apartment while your roommate doesn’t mind a messy floor. You may not like your roommate’s significant other crashing every night,…

5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your First Apartment

March 9, 2016 | By Alvin AuthorMy First Apartment

By Alvin Alfonso So you finally moved into your first apartment and you’ve been happily living there for a better part of the year. The lease is now coming up for renewal and you have to decide what to do.

My First Apartment’s Guide to Moving in With Your Significant Other

July 8, 2015 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

So, you think it’s time to take the leap and move in with your significant other. But, before you dive right in, you’re wondering what you should know and consider before you pop the big “should we move in together?” question. Moving in with your boyfriend/girlfriend is a huge step that can have either a…

Thrifty Decorating Solutions: Throw Pillows & Wall Art

June 23, 2015 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Whether you’re decorating your first apartment ever or re-inventing the style of your fifth apartment, one thing remains true – throw pillows and wall art are a great way to liven up and give your space a whole new look. But you know what else is true? Both of those things are usually not very…

Having Summer Adventures on a Budget

June 13, 2015 | By Jessie AuthorMy First Apartment

If you are living in your first apartment, chances are that you are also living on a budget. However, being on a budget doesn’t mean that you can’t have travels and adventures! Here are three ways you can satisfy the travel bug in you without breaking your wallet. 1. Explore local destinations. I’ve written before…

The Ultimate Apartment Hunting Checklist

May 3, 2015 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

I knew that I’d be on the apartment hunt again one of these days, but what I didn’t realize is that I’d be doing it so soon — and in another state. Having learned the hard way what I do and do not want in a new place from past experiences, I now create a…