Courtesy of Ariana Matos
Living on your own for the first time can be overwhelming. For college students, living off campus and renting for the first time is a learning experience filled with trial and error. Here are a few practical tips for living off campus in the city…
1. Unplug appliances to save money on electricity
College students are limited in the amount of money they are able to spend on living expenses. Unplugging your phone charger when not in use will make a difference.
2. Set up date-to-pay bills
Most rents do not include utilities such as WiFi or electricity every month. If you have roommates, it is essential to set a specific date every month on which they pay you back for the entire bill to ensure that everyone is paying an equal amount.
3. Use hot water and dish soap to unclog your toilet
Getting a hold of your apartment’s maintenance manager can be difficult due to all of the units they have to attend to. If you have a toilet mishap, this DIY tip will save you a call to maintenance.
4. To get rid of mice, invest in traps and peanut butter or peppermint candy
Let’s face it, when you are living in the city, you are bound to come across a non-fictional “Mickey Mouse.” Don’t be fooled, these creatures are most attracted to peanut butter rather than the stereotypical cheese.
5. Keep a piece of wood wedged in the corner of your window for safety
Living on your own can be intimidating and at times you may feel unsafe. To guarantee safety without investing in an expensive security system, you can take a piece of wood and wedge it into the corner of the window making it difficult for any intruder to open the window.
6. Meal prep at the beginning of the week saves food, money, and time
Living off campus does not give you the luxury of going to the dining hall and having ready-made, warm meals. However, having a kitchen can give you the opportunity to be creative. With a busy schedule and as students, lower income meal prep can be an effective and efficient trick when living independently.
Courtesy of NetDNA