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Electricity plans for college students
Electricity plans for college students
There is so much to think about, especially if you are a first-time apartment renter. But don’t worry, we’ve got the tips and tools to help you power through the struggle of moving for college.
So, the dorms were full, or maybe you don’t dorm well with others, and you have to find off-campus housing. Here are a few things to think about if you’re a first-time apartment renter.
Before you get started, it’s important to know your budget. Budgeting ensures you won’t have to worry about making rent, or breaking a lease w,hich could be very costly and makes it hard for you to rent in the future. No matter where the funds are coming from —mom and dad, a part-time job, or even a scholarship or award — staying within your budget might be the most important thing you learn during your college years.
The cost of a college apartment varies depending on the cost of living in the city you are looking in, how much space you need, and location. Check out this First Apartment Budget Calculatori article to get an idea of what your budget is before looking at rentals.
If you don’t know your budget, now is the perfect time to create one. If this is your first time living on your own, you’ll need to factor in costs that your parents might have covered when you lived at home such as groceries, gas, utilities, insurance, internet, etc. Write down your best estimate for what you’ll spend on each category. You may need to adjust your numbers a few times. Check out this great article on first apartment budgeting by Lemonade: First Apartment Budgetingii
Check out this First Apartment Checklistiii by apartmentguide.com. This article gives a great overview of all the essentials needed for your first apartment.
When considering all the things you need for your first apartment, it can be tempting to buy all-new items. But a “new year, new me” attitude might not fit within your budget. Bring whatever you can from home, and don’t forget to ask friends and family members for things on your list that you might not already have. Chances are someone has a microwave, or extra kitchenware laying around with your name on it.
Your packing list should coincide with your lease terms and length. Make sure the items you bring are allowed and you don’t overpack for a short lease term. Will you be living in off-campus housing an entire school year or more? Or, will you be making frequent visits home and living there between semesters? If you are living there just for the academic year, you can pack a bit lighter, which will make moving back home easier on you(and your parents).
As you are packing and buying things for your new apartment, keep the amount of space you have in mind. If you have a studio apartment, you will have limited space. If you have a larger house with roommates, remember some of your items will be in shared common spaces. Packing for your space will help you avoid bringing unnecessary items that will end up making your first apartment feel cluttered. Less is more, so maybe leave the king-sized bed behind.
*Quick tip for living with roommates: Ask your roomies what they are bringing to avoid having too many couches or microwaves.
Cooking and grocery shopping can be a tough task for a lot of college students. After living at home, it’s not easy to say goodbye to a fully stocked pantry and fridge, and having your meals cooked for you. Make a weekly shopping list, and plan a grocery day with roommates so you aren’t left with an empty kitchen during finals. This First Apartment Checklistiii covers the essentials, such as salt, pepper, and other basic cooking supplies.
*Quick tip for saving time and money: Meal prepping provides you with ready-to-eat food that you can grab and eat before class, and it reduces the amount of food you waste.
Between rent, water, internet, Netflix and any other utilities not included in the cost of rent, living in an off-campus apartment means many separate bills. Don’t wait until your water gets shut off to remember to pay your bills. Know your due dates. Set reminders on your phone or make a shared calendar with roommates. And if you are forgetful, most companies have an auto-pay option that charges you automatically.
When you’re sharing a living space with roommates, your bedroom is your sanctuary. Make it a space that you can relax and recharge in, and zone in on school work when you need to focus.
If you live in a city with a lot of college students, Craigslist, thrift stores, and Ikea are good places to look for inexpensive furniture like couches and coffee tables.
If you live in a city with a lot of college students, Craigslist, thrift stores, and Ikea are good places to look for inexpensive furniture like couches and coffee tables.
You may have to share a bathroom with multiple roommates in your college apartment, so try to keep the area free from clutter and make sure to figure out who’s turn it is to buy the toilet paper.
Believe it or not, some of these items are easy to forget, until disaster strikes. A little mess can quickly turn into a disaster zone if you factor in first time cooking, finals week, and no cleaning supplies.
If possible, try to rent a space that has a washer and dryer (trust us). Either way, you’re going to need these items to keep you looking (and smelling) fresh on campus.
i mint.com/budgeting-3/college-budget-template-keep-track-of-your-school-expenses
ii lemonade.com/renters/explained/first-apartment-budget-rent/
iii apartmentguide.com/blog/essential-items-for-your-college-apartment/
Other sources
apartmentlist.com/rentonomics/first-college-apartment-checklist
updater.com/moving-tips/first-apartment-checklist
moving.com/tips/moving-to-your-first-apartment-heres-what-youll-need/
rentpmi.com/blog/2018/06/20/guide-for-students-living-offcampus/
thebalance.com/how-to-budget-for-your-first-apartment-4113283