- It's expensive lol but that's already been covered (Just my 2 cents.. moving out has never NOT been worth it for me)
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Buy a plunger BEFORE you need a plunger. merits a bold.
- Budget. Autopay for bills/utilities is a lifesaver
- Mint.com is great great great for budgets/planning/keeping accounts in order
- Check online for reviews of apartments/location/management companies
- Play nice with neighbors always
nothing will sour a living situation like crappy neighbors. I like to pass out little letters with "Hi my name is ______, I just moved to unit ___, I have a dog named Merlin. We are just getting settled in, please call me if Merlin is ever any trouble or if you need anything. Plus candy
- Cleaning wise: clorox wipes, swiffer, vacuum. All essentials.
- AVOID AVOID renting a place with carpet. Impossible to keep clean and just..ugh.
- Trader Joe's will be your new house of worship.
- Cupcake wine is amazing. It's friendly on the budget and yummy
- SIGN UP FOR AMAZON PRIME. Free 2 day shipping and cheaper prices than drug stores (for toilet paper and other must needs)
- Mason jars do everything. They look "cute and funky" as glasses, storage, and are everything proof lol
- use a safety pin and some string to zip up dresses
- Cheap apartment alarm systems are great for peace of mind. This is the one I have it's wireless and has one for windows and your front door
http://www.amazon.com/GE-51107-Smart-Wireless-System/dp/B00032AVN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394236074&sr=8-1&keywords=apartment+alarm+system
- Clean everything before you move in! This is a great chance to clean the place thoroughly before furniture comes in
- Goodwill/SA is your friend when it comes to pots/plans/appliances and basically everything. (be wary of furniture...bed bugs..)
- You don't need cable TV. Get a tv, get a roku, get netflix and your amazon prime will have TV show/new movies and everything you need.
- TAKE PICTURE OF THE PLACE AT MOVE-IN. ESPECIALLY DAMAGE/"Little things" like chip on paint, funny windows etc... before you know it you will be moving out and they will hit your deposit for something you didn't do.
- Never lock a door without your key in your hand
- Every group of friends has a "group house" where people crash, where people pre-game, where people hang out.
Seems fun right?
It isn't.
DO NOT LET THIS PLACE BE YOUR PLACE.
- Things you will never not need...
toilet paper, garbage bags, swiffer pads, batteries, clorox wipes, paper towels, ziplock bags, toothpaste. If you have a house warming of your family still does care packages...suggest these items. If not, buy in bulk.
- Do your dishes when you eat off them.
- Change jar
- If there is a place for everything (as there should be, think SMALL like change jar, little key hook, dog leash rack etc..) you need to put it there. These little things (tossing dog leashes on the floor) become big things.
- Buy a george forman grill. Cooking for one lifesaver.
- Take your shoes off before coming inside, insist people do the same. People are disgusting as are their shoes.
- Maybe don't waste money on a desk you'll never use. A good lap desk and one of those chair pillows for your bed does just fine, no judgements.
- Your phone is not a good alarm clock. Phones break, phones die, phones do stupid things. Get a real clock, battery powered.
- IKEA is amazing.
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GET RENTERS INSURANCE. It is very very cheap and will one day save you
Most importantly...it will take a while before a place feels yours. Start small
you'd be surprised how little things will help like knickknacks, small comfort items etc...