Frugal Apartment tips...and questions

**broke2007** · 03-10-2007, 02:48 PM

Okay...so I'm trying to put together a list of things I will need in an apartment, and I also have a few questions. I need to put together a list of what I should have for a beginning pantry, because I'll be cooking all meals at home. I also need to put together a list of possible bills, because I'm sure theres something Ive forgotten outside of Rent, cell phone, internet, cable, electric, food. I also need to put together a list of what I'll need for the bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen. Also, roughly how much does it cost for food/litter for one cat? Two cats? I'll be living with a roomate, so tips for dealing with those would be welcome too. I want to have 3 months expenses in my bank account before I move in, so that I can cover the security deposit, first months rent, things of that nature, as well as the expense of the things I'll need once I move in.

Also, any other tips you can think of are greatly appreciated. Im sure I'll add more questions as I think of them.

Thanks in advance everyone

**Kitten20** · 03-10-2007, 06:06 PM

You can add gas to your bill list. The apartment complex will usually take care of water (and some will cover more -- like electricity). If you rent a house, you'll need to include trash/sewer. Gas for your vehicle. Other than that, your list of bills looks good to me. I will probably be back with more ideas re: your other questions later.

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-10-2007, 06:18 PM

If your having a roomate, wont they contribute to furnishing the house/apt. as well?

If you tell us what you like to eat that might help us a bit more with giving advice on what to stock the pantry/cabinets with as far as food.

As far as kitty litter for 1 or 2 cats, I would suggest going with a clumping litter, that way once their done you can just scoop it out and it's gone, and it saves kitty litter as well.

Room Contents:
- Bedroom - Bed, lighting, TV (maybe), dresser, nightstand or something for the lamp
- Living Room - Chair/sofa/loveseat, TV, lamps/lighting
- Dining Room - Table and chairs
- Bathroom - Toilet Paper, tooth brush, soap, toothpaste, body products, feminine products
- Kitchen - Stove, Fridge, cabinets, (apt. should have this) food, microwave

I just little what I feel are basic necessities, I mean some are not necessarily needed but I would hope to have these things with me should I have to move.

You have to remember that if you plan to live in NY apartment prices are pretty high and dont include much as far as utilities.

As far as roommates, make and set some ground rules, ex.
~ My space is my space, respect it.
~ Pick up after yourself
~ Clean your dishes, dont leave them in the sink
~ Utilities, rent, food are all shared,

You should make this stuff all in writing and have the roommate(s) sign it, even if it is a boyfriend/SO. Alot of roomates move out and then the one who stayed is stuck with all the bills, make sure their name is also on the lease should you sign one, that way you are protected. Good Luck!

**Kitten20** · 03-10-2007, 06:43 PM

When I first moved out, I had a mattress laying on the floor (got a frame later), a TV sitting on one of those large overturned tupperware bins and a computer... on the floor. Haha. It wasn't very glamorous, but I did just fine! Of course, I eventually furnished the place later -- but you don't really need all of that stuff to get started, if you're really antsy to get your own place.

Just to add to FrugalMomof3's list:

Bathroom:
Trash can
Bath mat
Shower curtain/rings if needed
Rug for outside bath

Kitchen:
Trash can

Cleaning supplies/etc.:
(just suggested, whatever you use)
Trash bags or plastic bags from grocery stores
Dishwashing liquid
Laundry soap/fabric softener
Glass cleaner
2 sets of bed sheets
Towels for bathroom
Dish towels
Vaccuum
Mop/bucket
Broom

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-10-2007, 07:25 PM

Kitten20 - OMG I cant believe I didnt write those in, gosh, sorry about that, lol

I too didnt have much when I moved into my first apartment, I lived in like a studio so I slept in the living room/bedroom on a sofa bed, lol it was ok but those springs started poking at me

**jamie79** · 03-10-2007, 07:50 PM

What about a broom and dustpan? A clock too so you know what time it is. If money is tight for furniture you need a bed and somewhere to sit. Hit thrift stores and yard sales for furniture. Dont forget bedding and towels. I have 4 cats and spend about $6-8 a week depending sometimes less. the clumping litter lasts longer.
Of course you will need dishes and pots and pans and utensils so you can cook and eat.

**McD** · 03-10-2007, 08:22 PM

Before rushing out to purchase anything, I would check with the roommate and see what she has. I mean there is no need to buy a vaccuum if she has one. If she has one, see if you can use it if you pitch in for filters or whatever.

When I moved into my first apartment with my roommate, I had some plates, silverware, glasses, pans, etc. I had a small t.v. for my room, my bed, a dresser, a vanity, bedding, etc. For the bathroom, I purchased a shower curtain and that was it.

**Marie78** · 03-10-2007, 10:17 PM

I have lived with roommates, I have lived in one bedroom apartments, and I lived in a studio and now I am living with my fiance. I am in my 5th apartment in 6 years. I wish I had known the less is best rule before I moved out on my own. I had/have way too much furniture to have moved it as many times as I have. I think having a few pieces of furniture that contribute to your overall happiness is best. I got most of my furniture second hand and from yardsales. My small couch cost $40 at the Salvation Army I bought a bedroom set at a yard sale. A frame, 2 dressers and a vanity for $200 (It's from the 1930's so I find it charming). We found our current coffee table left by a former tenant in my fiance's last apartment, we fixed it up for under $10 and it's perfect for us. Buy used or accept free things from people who are getting rid of furniture. I have a desk that I found for free during moving out week at college dorms. You can find a lot of good/free furniture and lamps when college students move out of the dorms/student housing. So many of them live far away and can't or don't want to cart their things back home with them.

I have two cats at the moment. One I have had for 4 years and the other one is only 9months old. They share a litter box, I Don't use those plastic liners. I buy Aldi scoopable litter for $2.99 it lasts me about a month for the two of them. I have scooper and I scoop the clumps into grocery bags to toss out immediately (we have a big dumpster outside in the parking lot of my apt. complex) Once a month or so I clean the plastic litter pan. I buy a cat food by purina for my cats and they go through about 2 bags a month (about $10 for dry food). Mine also get nine lives moist food each evening when I eat dinner. Those are selling right now for about 4/$1, mine share one can a night. I also give them Temptations treats sparingly. Total care is about $25 a month for the two cats. They could survive without the treats and moist food though, if I had to cut back more. I don't have children though, so I treat them like my babies.

**wanderlusting** · 03-11-2007, 01:09 AM

Let everyone know you're moving and don't have a lot of furnishings. Let family,friends and co-workers know. Most times people will remember a dresser or some furnishing that's sitting in the garage and are happy to get rid of it for space.

Remember-start small and then you add as you can afford it. It takes people years and years to get their houses the way they look. I remember my first apartment, nothing matched.

Good luck!

**KWLinda** · 03-11-2007, 08:40 AM

I agree that used or free furniture is great for a first apartment. Years ago, when I moved into my first apartment with a roommate we furnished the whole thing without spending a cent. Now nothing matched, but everything was functional. It was a large apartment complex and we found that if we checked the dumpster areas on moving days (the last day and the first day of the month) people would leave great furniture. Sofa, dining room set, end tables, lamps. A little cleaning and it all worked. Family, friend giveaways are great too. And remember you're just starting out, think functional then work up to replacing with your own style and likes as you can afford it.

Good Luck!

**Nemeweh** · 03-11-2007, 03:34 PM

Just wanted to add,

Keep and eye on your local Craigslist.org and Freecycle. Sometimes people just want to get rid of stuff and will give it to you free or for very little.

I didn't see Insurance listed, do you have a vehicle that you'll need it for?

**AheeK** · 03-11-2007, 05:18 PM

Being someone who has moved three times in the past three years with nothing more than a bunch of apple boxes and my truck, I have a few tips:

- Less is best. Start with the bare minimum of what you need and work up from there. For example, I moved out five years ago and I just bought my first rolling pin about two weeks ago. Unless you know you need it, don't pre-emptively buy it.

- Take a walk through your parent's (grandparent's, aunt's, uncle's, friend's etc.) house and do up a list of items in each room. You'll get an idea of all the little things you need very quickly.

- The dollar store is the best friend of someone moving out for the first time. I bought ALL my kitchen stuff (measuring cups, cutlery, cutting boards, spatulas, wooden spoons, etc.) at the dollar store five years ago and I'm still using all of it. They might even have things like plastic trash cans and mops.

- Here in Alberta we have something called the Bargain Finder. It's a free classified service and an absolute lifesaver for frugal people. For example, about two years ago I wanted to buy a sofabed, so I bought a Bargain Finder and it had FOUR COLUMNS of them. I ended up getting a newly re-covered sofabed and chair for $100. Garage sales, moving sales, and classifieds are invaluable for saving money when moving. They let you find the best deal for the lowest price.

- Shop around for apartments, vehicles, appliances, EVERYTHING. Never, ever buy the first anything you look at. When looking for apartments, take the whole picture into consideration. Sure, one apartment might have cheaper rent, but if it's so far from work/school that you have to shell out an extra $50/month for a buss pass or gas, are you still saving money? Find an apartment that costs the least when taking into account rent, transportation, utilities, proximity to grocery stores and peace of mind.

Good luck and have fun shopping for your new home!

**acidcookie** · 03-11-2007, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by AheeK

- Less is best. Start with the bare minimum of what you need and work up from there. For example, I moved out five years ago and I just bought my first rolling pin about two weeks ago. Unless you know you need it, don't pre-emptively buy it.

I definitely agree with this!

**dcompton** · 03-11-2007, 11:35 PM

I read through some of this quickly and don't remember seeing anyone mention insurance. Even if you don't have much "stuff" you will need to carry renter's insurance -- many apt complexes require it. Even if they don't, you NEED it. It will not only cover the contents of the apartment, but, more important, gives you liability protection.

For a shower curtain, buy a cheap plastic shower curtain liner. Not fancy, but functional. You are smart to put some aside for unexpected needs. You can never think of everything at the beginning.

**acidcookie** · 03-11-2007, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by dcompton

I read through some of this quickly and don't remember seeing anyone mention insurance. Even if you don't have much "stuff" you will need to carry renter's insurance -- many apt complexes require it. Even if they don't, you NEED it. It will not only cover the contents of the apartment, but, more important, gives you liability protection.

For a shower curtain, buy a cheap plastic shower curtain liner. Not fancy, but functional. You are smart to put some aside for unexpected needs. You can never think of everything at the beginning.

Yes & yes! I have renter's insurance for about $50/year for $10,000 coverage which is more than I even own.

I also just use a plastic liner for a shower curtain. I got mine for $2 and even saw some at the Dollar Tree recently. It's decorated with strands of fake pink flowers from Wal-Mart. Of course, that's something extra.