Upgrades That Aren’t Worth The Cash in a Rental

March 14, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

Many apartments will try to catch your attention with fancy upgrades or add-on’s that tack on serious cost to your monthly rent payment. Some of them may be worth it…but some upgrades simply aren’t worth the cash. If you’re on a serious budget during your apartment hunt, check out the common upgrades below, and keep an…

More Ways to Save on Eating In and Out

March 11, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the first things I noticed about living in my own place is that food expenses can really add up if you let them. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to where I spent my money, instead just watched for my bottom line at the end of each month. However, looking a little…

Tips for Apartment Hunting Pre-Graduation

February 22, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

After graduation, most young adults are eager to get out into the world, explore, and live independently. Whether you’re looking to move out solo or with roommates, it can be tricky to coordinate your graduation, move-out, and new apartment move-in just right. Whether you’re hoping to move just across town after walking across the stage…

Part-Time Side Hustle Ideas to Stretch Your Cash

January 30, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

After moving in to your first apartment, it’s no secret that the bills can start to come faster than expected. More than anything, it’s important to select your apartment that is safely within your budget. Use these tips to calculate what you can afford. However, if you need some extra cash for your savings account,…

Apartment Hunt 101: Researching the Area

January 27, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

Looking for your first apartment can be time consuming and stressful. From deciding how many bedrooms and square footage to comparing the look and feel of different units, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. However, one crucial detail to also consider is your apartment’s location for many reasons. Consider the following about your apartment’s…

7 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Utility Costs

January 15, 2017 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

No matter the type of apartment you live in – whether it’s brand new and energy efficient or decades old with unsealed door frames and windows – there are always ways to help reduce your utility costs. As a renter, you can’t make big changes to your apartment like updating windows or plumbing and electrical,…

Saving for Vacation When You Are “Rent Poor”

January 6, 2017 | By Anna R. AuthorMy First Apartment

Many of us have dreams of traveling the world while we are young and have our whole lives ahead of us. But if you are living on a budget in an expensive city, most of your income may be devoted to rent, utilities, paying off student loans, and everyday living expenses. How can you afford…

6 Rules for Staying on Budget in a New City

December 6, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving is exciting. Budgeting is stressful. Moving to a new city with a higher cost of living while trying to stay within budget is a unique combination of exciting and stressful. You want to explore the new city and discover your new favorite spots, restaurants and shops, but you also have to follow the rules of…

How to Save Money on Work Lunches

November 27, 2016 | By Anna R. AuthorMy First Apartment

Prepping meals for the week can be a surprising challenge, especially when our lives are filled with work obligations, chores, and hanging out with friends and family. We’ve all had those weeks where Monday comes around, and we find ourselves at the café two blocks away from work, purchasing an overpriced salad. Eating lunch out…

Tips for Recovering after Moving Costs Wipe Out Your Savings

September 14, 2016 | By Anna R. AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into your first apartment is very exciting, especially when it comes to furnishing and decorating your apartment within the first month! Starting off in a new apartment is also very expensive, with landlords often asking for first and last month’s rent, a hefty security deposit and any fees tagged on for using a broker…