How to Furnish Your Studio Apartment on $1,000

September 22, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

The big day has finally come — you’re moving into your brand spanking new studio apartment! You’ve been saving for months (even skipping on dinners out with friends and canceling your Netflix membership to save a few dollars here and there) and now you’ll gonna be out on your own and enjoying life in the big,…

$199 Standing Desk Giveaway!

August 23, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Sponsored Post. Thanks to David and Isabella for donating the giveaway! The giveaway has closed! Congratulations to our randomly selected winner, Maggie, and thanks for all who participated in the giveaway. Here at My First Apartment, you can always count on us to answer all your first apartment questions, to help you solve dilemmas, and to…

10 Apartment-Friendly Picks from IKEA’s 2015 Catalogue

August 19, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Last month, I had my yearly Christmas in July celebration. No, I didn’t invite friends and family over for a big pre-holiday bash. Instead, my festivities were just limited to me and the mother of all apartment shopping catalogues — the yearly IKEA booklet. This year, their focus was on making your space fit your…

Complete Dorm Room Packing Checklist & Tips!

August 11, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

I remember the day I moved into my freshman dorm room very vividly for one very key reason — I had way too much stuff. Let me make this clear now. Dorm rooms are small, and if you’re sharing that tiny space with a roommate (which you can pretty much count on), the amount of the…

Living with Mom and Dad? Maximize the Benefits!

July 22, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

When you move back in with mom and dad, it’s easy to treat your time at home as just a vacation from the grown up world. You start acting like you’re sixteen all over again, and waste a perfectly good opportunity to maximize the benefits of this period without the pressures of rent, excessive utility bills, and…

8 Rules For Living With Your Significant Other

June 21, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Living with your significant other — like living with a roommate — comes with its own set of ups and downs. However, what makes this situation different from just living with a good friend, a relative or a person that you met online is the fact that your romantic relationship gets tangled up in the small day-to-day details…

What Those Cool Apartment Amenities Will End Up Costing You In Rent

June 18, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

A couple of weeks ago, our friends over at ForRent.com shared this nifty infographic with us. Through their research, they break down how much the most sought-after apartment amenities add to your overall rent. Whether it’s location, a great view or gym, be prepared to pay for what you get. So, when you set out on your search for…

6 Surprising Benefits of Apartment Downsizing

March 25, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

My apartment journey so far has been a history of 9’s — 9 months here, 9 months there. Well, this interval is almost at a close and little to my surprise I have decided to move yet again. However, this isn’t just any move. My boyfriend and I are packing up, moving in with his…

Surviving the Holidays Without Going Broke

November 29, 2013 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s that time of year again — Black Friday deals beckon, department stores are exploding with fake snow and plastic Santas, and children are dreaming of what cool toys to add to their lists. That’s right folks, the holiday season is coming to a doorstep near you! Whether you are the embodiment of holiday cheer…

3 Common First-Time Renter Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

October 3, 2013 | By doug AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into your very first apartment creates a range of emotions as broad as anything you’ll find in Oscar-winning film. Drama! Inner turmoil! Giddiness! Apprehension! Triumph! In the emotional flurry of searching, packing, and moving in, it’s understandable if you feel overwhelmed and distracted, and make a few rookie mistakes. Here are some common ones…