Moving into your first apartment is daunting and thrilling at the same time. After all, you need so much and you must balance that need with a restricted budget.
Bear in mind that apartment dwellers have numerous expenses throughout their lease term and at times, they can appear overwhelming.
It’s not only important to stay on top of your expenses but also figure out how to save more money in order to have an affordable apartment living experience. If you don’t know where to start, check out this guide.
Borrow or Rent Items
This is a prudent financial advice for anybody, but is especially relevant if you’re short on space and money.
Although buying some stuff is sensible, borrowing or renting can be a huge money-saver when it comes to items you rarely use. For instance, consider borrowing or renting a carpet cleaner instead of purchasing one.
Develop a Budget
Developing a budget isn’t merely about identifying the items you’ve spent your money on or helping you recall your upcoming expenses. They also help keep you disciplined and allow you to establish ways to cut costs and save more.
Numerous people postpone budget creation because they feel they might not benefit from it. However, even if your household doesn’t include other people or your finances are straightforward, developing and maintaining a budget can help generate savings and it probably needs less effort and time than you think.
Energy Use
If you’re a renter who’s dedicated to saving money, then decreasing your utility bills is vital. Fortunately, cutting on energy costs isn’t complicated. You need to adopt simple habits such as turning off the AC/heat and lights when leaving home.
You can also decrease electricity costs by installing LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. During winter, wear a sweater rather than overheat your apartment.
Remember, you won’t only save money but the environment as well. You can always inquire about the average utility costs from the landlord or contact local utility companies and obtain the average energy costs for the address you’re interested in.
Batch Cook
You’ll discover that carrying lunch and eating at home are two huge money savers. Most people lack the time to cook daily, but with batch cooking, you don’t have to. While the slow cooker is excellent for this, any method will work.
You can take a few hours over the weekend and make whatever you wish. You can then portion whatever you’ve prepared into separate containers, which will make up your lunches and dinner.
In the event that you’re among those who don’t like eating the same meal two days consecutively, consider freezing some of the containers. After some rounds of cooking in batches, you’ll have a range of frozen meals and select whatever you feel like having.
Consider a Roommate
Handling apartment expenses single-handedly can be tough. However, adding a roommate can make your finances easier. A roommate will allow you to enjoy instant savings in your rent and other costs. Furthermore, you might enjoy other benefits including companionship.
Negotiate Internet and Cable Price
Internet and cable can easily surpass $100 a month if you’re not keen. Nevertheless, you can save by maximizing introductory offers.
For existing customers, request to speak with client retention that has the ability to decrease costs for dissatisfied customers. Alternatively, you can use the common areas in the building; this will also allow you to socialize.
Final Thoughts
Apartment living offers numerous benefits, including the chance to be independent if you’ve just moved out from home. However, it can get expensive if you don’t adopt the necessary measures. Fortunately, these tips will help you save money and make the experience enjoyable.
For more information on money-saving tips for apartment living, contact us at Apartment Agents or leave a comment.
