First Apartment Questions!

[santucci218]

This is for those who have some experience in this realm. I have a few questions before I take the plunge, with a friend.

19, Living in Pittsburgh. Apartments around here are around say, 500 a month + utilities. It would just be me and another kid living there, splitting it halfies. We were looking to get internet, and cable, and trying to figure out what we were looking at per month. I average around 840 a month with my job, and him around the same, with a lot of money saved in the bank, as back up, if needed.

I'm looking for tips, hints, and ways to save money, but not live like a poor person. Also, please give me some specific answers to these questions as best you can.

What are we looking to expect as a total per month would you say around?

What are good ways to save money?

Is it unreasonable to barter the price of the apt rent?

Any surprises i should worry about?


I would love to hear your guys honest, helpful opinions, so lets have it! As always, thank you for all the help guys.


EDIT - How much do you feel food is say, per week for you?

[FingeringAm]

cant help you all that much but my word of advice is this :
make sure your roommate is very reliable and will pay exactly what you agreed on, on time.

[BetterBottomEnd]

Originally Posted by FingeringAm

cant help you all that much but my word of advice is this :
make sure your roommate is very reliable and will pay exactly what you agreed on, on time.

Get everything in writing.

[MakiSupaStar]

Buy your nonperishable food in bulk. Learn how to cook. Don't eat out. Save that money for beer.

[Stumbo]

Instead of reinventing the wheel, here's some links:

Renting
======
http://www.rentlaw.com/pennsylvaniarentlaw.htm
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/990920a.cfm
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-To-Ex...ment&id=210821
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/...,P1629,00.html
http://consumereducation.suite101.co...irst_apartment

Be sure to take pictures of the apartment (especially any existing damage) before you move in. Print two copies. Mail one set to the landlord certified mail with a return receipt. Buy renters insurance. Check the water pressure by turning on the faucets/shower. Test the air conditioner/heater.

Ask who does the repairs and how are they contacted and how soon they come out. Have that written in the rental agreement.

Have the rental agreement written up with "or" instead of "and" e.g., Joe Smith or Bill Jones. Using "and" may keep you on the hook, even if you don't live there and also, if one moves out, there is no more "and" and both may have to move out, if the landlord wants you to. Read up on landlord-tenant law in your state, especially regarding deposits/firs-last months rent.

For cheap living tips:
===============
http://www.wikihow.com/Live-Cheaply
http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/ed_cheapskate.asp
http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/member.asp
http://money.cnn.com/2001/11/29/savi...rugalspending/

*Also see Craigslist.org for your area for low priced/free furniture and stuff.
*Ask people you know who live and rent in the area what their expenses are.
*Write down what you eat each day for a week. Then take a trip to the grocery store with a list and a calculator to price what you would buy. Multiply the total by 52 and divide by 30 to get a monthly total.

Roommates
=========
http://www.tutorials.com/09/0926/09265.asp
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/sta...005/st0224.htm

Everything needs to be defined. Who'll do what chores (mop/vacuum/bathrooms, clean the refrigerator. etc.)You'll be partners so everything should be in writing and signed by both parties. Who will buy the refrigerator? furniture? etc. Keep a list of who buys what. don't buy stuff together.

There are also books on this stuff at Amazon.com or maybe your local library. Figure out what you'll do if the other roommate moves out, gets hurt or some other problem like that arises.

Budgeting
=======
You need to have a budget but also track the money spent each day/week/month to make sure you stick to the budget. Plan for savings/emergency cash.

Some software:
http://www.personalbudgeting.com/download/download.html

For more info Google "first apartment" or "Living on your own" "landlord tenant law".
Call city hall and ask them if they have any info on renting an apartment. Check the Pennsylvania state website for info on same.

Good luck.

[santucci218]

Woo, tons of homework for me here. Im reading them now! Keep it coming guys, thank you.

[sarcastro83]

sock on the doorknob rule... practically etched in stone.

[fdeck]

Renters insurance.

Good point about learning to cook and not eating out, both for your wallet and your health.

[richnota]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Instead of reinventing the wheel, here's some links:

Renting
======
http://www.rentlaw.com/pennsylvaniarentlaw.htm
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/990920a.cfm
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-To-Ex...ment&id=210821
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/...,P1629,00.html
http://consumereducation.suite101.co...irst_apartment

Be sure to take pictures of the apartment (especially any existing damage) before you move in. Print two copies. Mail one set to the landlord certified mail with a return receipt. Buy renters insurance. Check the water pressure by turning on the faucets/shower. Test the air conditioner/heater.

Ask who does the repairs and how are they contacted and how soon they come out. Have that written in the rental agreement.

Have the rental agreement written up with "or" instead of "and" e.g., Joe Smith or Bill Jones. Using "and" may keep you on the hook, even if you don't live there and also, if one moves out, there is no more "and" and both may have to move out, if the landlord wants you to. Read up on landlord-tenant law in your state, especially regarding deposits/firs-last months rent.

For cheap living tips:
===============
http://www.wikihow.com/Live-Cheaply
http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/ed_cheapskate.asp
http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/member.asp
http://money.cnn.com/2001/11/29/savi...rugalspending/

*Also see Craigslist.org for your area for low priced/free furniture and stuff.
*Ask people you know who live and rent in the area what their expenses are.
*Write down what you eat each day for a week. Then take a trip to the grocery store with a list and a calculator to price what you would buy. Multiply the total by 52 and divide by 30 to get a monthly total.

Roommates
=========
http://www.tutorials.com/09/0926/09265.asp
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/sta...005/st0224.htm

Everything needs to be defined. Who'll do what chores (mop/vacuum/bathrooms, clean the refrigerator. etc.)You'll be partners so everything should be in writing and signed by both parties. Who will buy the refrigerator? furniture? etc. Keep a list of who buys what. don't buy stuff together.

There are also books on this stuff at Amazon.com or maybe your local library. Figure out what you'll do if the other roommate moves out, gets hurt or some other problem like that arises.

Budgeting
=======
You need to have a budget but also track the money spent each day/week/month to make sure you stick to the budget. Plan for savings/emergency cash.

Some software:
http://www.personalbudgeting.com/download/download.html

For more info Google "first apartment" or "Living on your own" "landlord tenant law".
Call city hall and ask them if they have any info on renting an apartment. Check the Pennsylvania state website for info on same.

Good luck.

that's amazing stuff. When i started out I was so broke...pre-internet...this stuff wouldve been awesome.

[CamMcIntyre]

I'm in my 2nd apartment-just moved in a few weeks ago.

I replaced all of the light bulbs w/CFLs. A little more money [$6-7 for a 4 pack], but they last a lot longer and use less energy.

Shop/comparison shop for internet. I learned this week that I can get cable internet that is about double the speed for less than what I am paying for DSL right now. I learned that shortly after learning that I have the max speed dsl i can get in this building [768kps...i want faster]. Since i'm NOT on a contract [they had that as an option]-i'm looking into cable modems because the cable company offers a $3 a month discount if you buy your own.

Like the others have said-learn to cook and cut back on eating out. I realized that it's easy to spend $50/week eating out. $50/week in groceries is quite a bit. So i'm going to start taking my lunch to work. The health benefit would be nice too.

I like drinking ice tea, so i've greatly cutback the amount of soda that i drink in favor of it. That saved money & is helping me drop some weight.

I'm paying $560/month w/heat, gas, and water for a studio. I pay electric & internet. I'm on a family plan w/my Dad for my cell phone and I don't have cable TV. Electric runs $15-20 in the winter to $30-40 in the summer [AC usage dependent]-i'm also in a studio though. Right now-DSL is $30 a month because i'm required to have a phone line. As i mentioned earlier, I'm pricing out cable modems and will be switching once I get some money saved up to buy one. The cable internet will run $20 a month.

Food-is a big variable. It's easy to drop $150 a month on groceries. I like steak and have gone over board on buying meat on occasion. To save money on food, make a batch of something on a Sunday night [or whatever day off you have consistently] and eat that during the week. It saves some time and you can freeze some of it so that you can actually eat a variety of meals instead of Spaghetti for a week.

Example: I bought a pound of ground beef yesterday, I browned it and used half of it for tacos/burritos and the other half is for barbecued beef. 2 pretty different meals, but both really cheap & easy.

good luck with it.

[hbarcat]

Learn to love ramen noodles.

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Buy your nonperishable food in bulk. Learn how to cook. Don't eat out. Save that money for beer.

Sound Advice here.

[ryco]

Ditch the roommate idea. S'not worth the savings on EVERY level

OPT: Get an extra bedroom to throw all your crap in so the rest of the apartment looks halfway decent.
Take all laundry and toss into this spare room as well. Takes way too much time to fold clothes.

[BillytheBassist]

Ahhhh, apartment life..... pro's and con's?.... ways to save money
Pro's:
1. You don't have to worry about maintenance.
2. You don't have to worry about property taxes.
3. Usually a laundry facility in house. 'see con's'
Thats about it.
Con's:
1. Landlords, up your ass most of the time.
2. Neighbors, loud, disturbing and, up your ass most of the time.
3. If you fart your neighbors can hear it, most of the time.
4. Parking issues.
5. AC/heating issues.
6. Laundry facility usually to small to accomidate the tenant count..... it can be a very sneaky and sometimes downright nasty operation to get a spot to do your wash.


Way's to save?
1. Keep lights off when not being used or, buy the energy saving bulbs like suggested and still watch when you have them on.
2. Ramien....not the greatest food but, will save you money.
3. Walk to the store....9 times out of ten there is a supermarket close by.
4. Box fan in the window in the summer, towls under doors and window seals in the winter.
I lived in a metro area apt. complex for 4 years and for the most part... i hated it. Now own my own home, and their are without a doubt some serious con's that come along with it but, when it comes right down to it... the place is all mine. Good luck with Apt life and, make sure your roomie doesn't shaft you on the rent/groceries or bills.

[Vic Winters]

Originally Posted by ryco

Ditch the roommate idea. S'not worth the savings on EVERY level

He makes $840/month. He'd be spending about $600/month on rent and utilities if he did it on his own. How's he supposed to survive on less than $250/month? That's about $60/week to spend on food, clothing, transportation and whatever else he needs.

[santucci218]

Any thoughts on buying a bed? They are SO expensive! I just wanted a decent full size one....

the cheapest mattress on target.com was 500 dollars!

[ryco]

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

He makes $840/month. He'd be spending about $600/month on rent and utilities if he did it on his own. How's he supposed to survive on less than $250/month? That's about $60/week to spend on food, clothing, transportation and whatever else he needs.

I think he might want to consider a better paying job for starters.

Other than that, guess he's kinda stuck.
I mean I can think of some alternatives, but he seems like a smart guy

He wanted my honest opinion from life experience - I gave it to him.

[CamMcIntyre]

Check for a discount mattress place or ask around to family and friends. I don't know what you guys have out there, but Mattress Liquidators, Value City Furniture, even some Wal Mart/Target type of places are where i'd check.

Bed frames are cheap, the mattress & box spring get you.

The bed i'm sleeping on now, used to belong to one of my step brothers-he moved to Nebraska for school & said i could have it.

Sadly, i'm still sleeping on a twin size-I don't plan on moving into a 1 BR size apartment any time soon, so i'm sticking with a twin size until i can buy a really nice sofa bed. The ones i'm most interested in cost around $3k. Not gonna happen any time soon.

[Spector_Ray]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

Learn to love ramen noodles.

Learn to love leftover ramen noodles!

[Vic Winters]

Originally Posted by ryco

I think he might want to consider a better paying job for starters.

Other than that, guess he's kinda stuck.
I mean I can think of some alternatives, but he seems like a smart guy

He wanted my honest opinion from life experience - I gave it to him.

Maybe he only works part time? Besides he's 19, that limits the kind of jobs/salary he can get.