We all know that moving is costly, so depending on how far you’re moving, it might be beneficial to save some money in different ways. Below, I’ve split up money-saving tips for moving into your apartment, getting started in your apartment, and living month to month in your apartment.
Moving In:
You did it! You found the perfect apartment! But now it’s time to get everything you need to transition from dorm life to apartment living. And how are you going to get it there? Everything is so expensive? Don’t worry, check out these tips!
1.) Ask around for things you need.
The first step in moving into your apartment is getting everything you need (not sure what you need? Check out this comprehensive list). Because you’re essentially starting from scratch, you need to buy a lot of things right off the bat. The best way to avoid spending thousands of dollars before even setting foot in your apartment is to ask around for things you need. I guarantee someone you know has something sitting in their basement they no longer need and would be happy to give it to you (for free or reduced price). It’s a win-win situation. Proof that this works: My roommates and I furnished our entire living room—we have a couch, TV stand, coffee table, rug, 2 end tables, and 2 lamps . We didn’t have to buy a single piece of furniture. All we bought were new pillows. Estimated cost: $20, estimated savings: $1,000+.
2.) Call your friends and family!
This one depends on how far you are moving, but sometimes calling in favors can help save money. By calling your friends and family to help you move everything into your new apartment, you save on moving costs because you don’t need to hire a moving company. Moving companies can get really expensive, so using the resources you have can be incredibly helpful in saving on those costs.
3.) Don’t wait until last minute to get everything.
Buying things over time can be really beneficial to saving money. It gives you time to look for deals and shop around for everything and to pick it up gradually. If you wait until last minute to get everything, you’re going to be forced to pay more and have less opportunity to find deals.
4.) Don’t wait until last minute to move in.
If you have access to your apartment before your set move in date, don’t wait until the last minute to move all of your stuff. As you move things in gradually, you might learn that you need more and more things. Again, this will give you time to shop around and figure out the best options for you (it will also give you more time to adjust to your new place, just a bonus tip for ya!).
Getting Started:
You’re there! You’ve moved in, but what do you do now? The first month can get expensive, especially because you’re not sure what it might be costing you to actually live there.
1.) Bring food from home.
When you’re moving in, you are probably coming from home, so make some food before heading over! Granted, you can’t make too much food because it will go bad, but if you take some leftovers of your favorite meals, you’ll have some food to get you started while you figure out when you can get to the grocery store. In addition, if you go home for a weekend, this is also convenient then, especially if your weekends are when you go grocery shopping like I do.
2.) Stock up on non-perishables gradually.
Non-perishable items have a longer shelf life , and chances are you won’t have time to go grocery shopping often, especially if you are just getting started. Not only that, but if you’re moving from the suburbs into a city, depending on what neighborhood you’re coming from, prices for grocery items can be less expensive. Stocking up when you know you are spending less feels way better than paying more! In addition, you can buy all of these foods gradually over the course of time between when you sign your lease and when you actually move into your apartment. Buying a few canned goods when they go on sale over the summer can save you a lot in grocery shopping when you first get back. If you’re anything like me and my roommates, you’ll spend a good month living off of chicken noodle soup and…well… more chicken noodle soup (Don’t forget to diversify what non-perishables you’re buying).
3.) Buy groceries and cook dinner, don’t eat out.
I know, I know, going to the market is EXPENSIVE. Veggies? Why do they cost so much?? Don’t even get me started on meats. The trick to grocery shopping is being a savvy shopper. Don’t just assume that you’re getting the best deal. If you have access to multiple different grocery stores, take advantage of the different promotions they have going on to save as much money as possible. Buying groceries can be expensive, but no matter what, it is going to cost less overall to cook meals than it is to go out for dinner. If you eat out for a lot of meals, you’re spending more money than you would at the grocery store on just a few items. It doesn’t feel that way at the time because a $10 meal is better than a $70 grocery bill, however, if you eat 7 meals a week at a restaurant, you’re still spending that $70, with little chance of getting multiple meals out of different things. In addition, splitting grocery bills with roommates can help save on food as well. No matter how you slice it, nothing meets a home-cooked meal, and if cooking at home can save you money, then it makes it even better!
Month to Month:
You’ve finally started to settle into your new place, but now budgeting your money monthly is upon you. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!
1.) Don’t just split everything evenly.
This sounds a little selfish, but hear me out. A lot of roommates split all their bills evenly, and while utilities should probably be split evenly (unless you have a previously arranged agreement because of room sizes, etc. like some people), something like groceries doesn’t necessarily need to be split right down the middle. For example, all my roommates and I like different things, however, there are also some things that we all eat. We split everything by item. If we are going to eat it, we pay for a portion of it, and then we split the price of each item accordingly. If there is anything we want specifically, we just pay for that in full. This helps save each of us from spending money on unnecessary things that we are not going to use.
2.) Know what you are spending money on.
Keeping a record of everything you buy for your apartment can help you budget your money better. Now, there are some purchases that fall into the miscellaneous section, but averaging what you can spend on groceries, transportation, bills, and rent per month can help you figure out how much disposable income you have. In knowing how much disposable income you have, you will avoid spending more than you have to spend, which, when rent and bills come due, is a win-win for everyone. If you know how much you have to spend on the important stuff, it makes it easier not to hesitate on spending money for fun that you want to do. You won’t have to worry about accidentally spending your rent money on a concert ticket, because you’ll know just how much you have to spend before you actually spend it each month.