I've lived in apartments most of my life. Biggest thing, research. Not just in person but also look-up crime stats for cities, transportation, how much other places are going for, what is around where you want to live? There is so much information on the internet, defintely look for police logs and city statistics if you are moving to a new area.
I found a place in a better city with less crime and it's cheaper than apartments where I use to live. I also downsized. This takes a bit of willingness and fortitudenous. I went to a studio but then I keep telling myself the money I am saving each month...
One thing with going smaller is it's easier to clean and things are usually easier to find. Definitely takes time to find a good place. Best thing is to get out and look. Be prepared to spend some time comparison shopping. Right now is a great market for renters.
Best things are to know what you definitely want and to be flexible on other things.
We looked and looked and looked at apartments. It was a nightmare of expensive, cramped, and shambled spaces. We were both tired and argued about settling for this dump or that one and how we could "fix" it up. Finally we found a nice apartment that costs a little more than what we wanted to pay, but felt more like a home than anything we had seen. We pointed out to our landlord as he was showing us around that we really liked it, but it was more than we were looking to pay. We mentioned some things that were less than perfect about the place (there's got to be something) and that we couldn't afford a pet fee (and we hadn't paid one in the past). We ended up getting a reduced rate and no fees. I think the landlord also just liked us and believed (accurately) we were a quiet couple who wouldn't party or punch holes in the walls. Sometimes I work in people's homes and come to find out they are renting for hundreds more than us for less space and less service. Is it because they didn't keep looking, or they didn't negotiate, or that some are social, or that some of them have kids? I don't know. Maybe we just got lucky.
Another thing that may help keep our rate low, is that we renew our lease early, pay months in advance and never late, and only call for maintenance when we can't fix the problem our selves (the fridge broke or the roof leaks).
We also got our deposits back from our old apartments when we moved by doing our own repairs and cleaning. We even patched our roommates' walls and cleaned up after them and repaired some things that had been off when we moved in.
I received a few mailings in January and I am scared to death that I may have given my identity away.
I first received a letter telling me I would be receiving the US Census. Then, just as they said, I received a lengthy packet asking a lot of questions.
This is my first census as an adult living on my own. I had no idea that it could possibly be a scam and I had no idea what type of questions they would and wouldn't ask. Unknowingly, I filled out the whole thing.
Now that I'm realizing a little ways down the road that this was most likely a scam, I cannot for the life of me remember what information I gave on the packet.
I did not make a copy. I do not have the mailing address. And I do not have any accompanying documentation that I received.
I could not find anything online about people with similar mailings. What steps should I take next?
In the past I have saved money on rent by renting a place that needs a little work done. The landlord was willing to discount my rent in exchange for a little labor on the rental. The landlord supplied the repair materials and I did the work.
It is certainly something to consider if you are handy around the house and can find a landlord willing to work with you. In my case, it even lead to doing a few repairs on the landlords other rentals in exchange for a lower rent payment.
It is important to make arrangement in advance and in writing when venturing into such an agreement.
When I first got out of school I looked for housing listings on college websites and student unions. In the DC area I checked out American University and GW and found a group house with four other recent graduates.
i feel sorry for accountants around tax season, not only they they have to deal with regular clients but all their friends that are hoping they'll do it for them too
First of all, I like the mindset behind these calculations. Good work, and certainly interesting:)
That said, I recommend taking a holistic view. The cost of caffeine goes beyond these calculations, and can be borne later in life when the effects of some of these beverages/pills set in. For example, a can of soda will do damage to your teeth. Over time, with continued consumpion, this will lead to increased dental costs and other health effects. When looked at in this way, the costs of obtaining caffeine through this particular vehicle is much higher than based on a stand-alone calculation of cents/mg.
I recommend drinking tea. Green tea has myriad health benefits, without as many "issues" of many of the other beverages listed. From a financial point of view, this will be better in the long run. Of course, drinking water and not drinking just for caffeine is probably best. But probably the least fun!
Reconsidering our loyalty to products and companies is a great personal finance tip that many people took for granted.
And of course yes, our health is always a good investment that will keep us away from medical expenses in the future.
I saved tons of money by kicking the caffeine habit altogether! I gave it up for health reasons, and the first two weeks were absolutely, positively HORRIBLE. But then, after that, I really found I didn't need it. I drink a big glass of water and take a stretch or do a quick spot of walking or exercise to wake up if I need to. I also found that without my caffeine habit, I had an easier time sleeping at night...which meant I had an easier time waking up in the morning. I still have a decaf coffee or an occasional coke or bit of chocolate from time to time, but I don't need it to get by like I used to. And the cost savings has been huge. I really was spending a lot of money on my caffeine fixes without realizing it!
In the DC area, a lot of people don't realize that Takoma Park is pretty much rent controlled. Also, there are places that are just outside the more desirable areas, but still are safe and charming, and not necessarily as scary as you might think at first blush.
The best place at the best rent that I found was simply by asking around. I ended up finding a great houseshare for a relatively tiny amount of rent. It also helped that I had a (very old and cheap but well-maintained) car, so I didn't need to be right near a metro.
I ask everyone I know if they know a great place at a good price. Then I give good references and ask for a lower rent. And also out of town is cheaper also.
See if there's anyway to find an enjoyable job to pay for your lodging. As a travel nurse, my mom's rent is taken care of by her company and there are some travel-related jobs (jobs on cruise ships jump to mind) where you're moving around enough that you can couch surf* or rent an extended stay hotel room when you're not at your job.
(*This is of course advice from someone who is single with no kids. ;) )
I can't condone the promotion of sleep deprivation, which for at least 97 percent of us can promote depression, decreases in effective intelligence, inconsistently sustained attention, riskier decision-making, and other problems with self-evaluation. Caffeine can stave off the symptoms related to alertness, but only in people who haven't built up a tolerance. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15798944
On the other hand, I can't resist applauding the effort at calculating unit prices. There's something amazing about the way a simple division operation can transform a bewildering array of choices into an easily comprehensible list.
I agree with Kellye about social networking. My husband and I have moved into units at below market rate rent by knowing the person who was moving out. When a landlord knows they don't have to really spiff up the place for a brand new tenant or spend money on advertising and the possibility the unit will sit empty for months, or have to take a chance on someone who isn't vetted by a good tenant, many are willing to take a bit of a hit and keep the price lower than what the market has increased to since their last tenant moved in.
Renting with roommates is always cheaper! If you live in an older building (versus a brand new complex) rent will be lower, but don't compromise too much. You don't want to be stuck with broken appliances, faulting wiring, bad pipes, etc. Location is also key. If your job offers a travel subsidy, you can save money by living a little further away from the center of the city.
In a pinch, I have used caffeine energy sprays (w/vitamins). It's liquid, so it absorbs quickly - & less of a crash - I can get them at the Dollar Tree!
Thanks for sharing this great, quick life-line for those times when I just can't seem to get un-stuck.
I just finished up a week where I was wallowing in my S&%T, and I really could have used this tool. Instead, I relied on a few support methods I've gathered around myself over the past few years, and they helped me pull myself up and out.
And, I too, wrote a blogpost about it.
I stumbled on your article, I'm not even sure how-- I guess it's the universe at work again :-)
I will add this great new trick to my "toolkit" for sure. I'm a creativity coach, so my clients will really appreciate this too!
It sounds like you may have picked this up from somewhere, or can I credit it to you? I always like to acknowledge those who have come before...
In the old days we would look for old buildings w/apts. that needed TLC - rent them cheaply & then fix them up. There R neighborhoods that are respectable but not expensive - rather working class.
I also used to help my old landlord for some $ off the rent.
We also rented an apt. for a year in a Sr. Citizens complex because one of use was 55+ & the was the best deal in rentals in the area around Santa Barbara! (Found that deal on the internet & there even was a cash discount on the rental!)
You can apply to be an apartment manager in exchange for free/reduced rent.
In the old days we would look for old buildings w/apts. that needed TLC - rent them cheaply & then fix them up. There R neighborhoods that are respectable but not expensive - rather working class.
I also used to help my old landlord for some $ off the rent.
We also rented an apt. for a year in a Sr. Citizens complex because one of use was 55+ & the was the best deal in rentals in the area around Santa Barbara! (Found that deal on the internet & there even was a cash discount on the rental!)
You can apply to be an apartment manager in exchange for free/reduced rent.
I've lived in apartments most of my life. Biggest thing, research. Not just in person but also look-up crime stats for cities, transportation, how much other places are going for, what is around where you want to live? There is so much information on the internet, defintely look for police logs and city statistics if you are moving to a new area.
I found a place in a better city with less crime and it's cheaper than apartments where I use to live. I also downsized. This takes a bit of willingness and fortitudenous. I went to a studio but then I keep telling myself the money I am saving each month...
One thing with going smaller is it's easier to clean and things are usually easier to find. Definitely takes time to find a good place. Best thing is to get out and look. Be prepared to spend some time comparison shopping. Right now is a great market for renters.
Best things are to know what you definitely want and to be flexible on other things.
We looked and looked and looked at apartments. It was a nightmare of expensive, cramped, and shambled spaces. We were both tired and argued about settling for this dump or that one and how we could "fix" it up. Finally we found a nice apartment that costs a little more than what we wanted to pay, but felt more like a home than anything we had seen. We pointed out to our landlord as he was showing us around that we really liked it, but it was more than we were looking to pay. We mentioned some things that were less than perfect about the place (there's got to be something) and that we couldn't afford a pet fee (and we hadn't paid one in the past). We ended up getting a reduced rate and no fees. I think the landlord also just liked us and believed (accurately) we were a quiet couple who wouldn't party or punch holes in the walls. Sometimes I work in people's homes and come to find out they are renting for hundreds more than us for less space and less service. Is it because they didn't keep looking, or they didn't negotiate, or that some are social, or that some of them have kids? I don't know. Maybe we just got lucky.
Another thing that may help keep our rate low, is that we renew our lease early, pay months in advance and never late, and only call for maintenance when we can't fix the problem our selves (the fridge broke or the roof leaks).
We also got our deposits back from our old apartments when we moved by doing our own repairs and cleaning. We even patched our roommates' walls and cleaned up after them and repaired some things that had been off when we moved in.
I received a few mailings in January and I am scared to death that I may have given my identity away.
I first received a letter telling me I would be receiving the US Census. Then, just as they said, I received a lengthy packet asking a lot of questions.
This is my first census as an adult living on my own. I had no idea that it could possibly be a scam and I had no idea what type of questions they would and wouldn't ask. Unknowingly, I filled out the whole thing.
Now that I'm realizing a little ways down the road that this was most likely a scam, I cannot for the life of me remember what information I gave on the packet.
I did not make a copy. I do not have the mailing address. And I do not have any accompanying documentation that I received.
I could not find anything online about people with similar mailings. What steps should I take next?
In the past I have saved money on rent by renting a place that needs a little work done. The landlord was willing to discount my rent in exchange for a little labor on the rental. The landlord supplied the repair materials and I did the work.
It is certainly something to consider if you are handy around the house and can find a landlord willing to work with you. In my case, it even lead to doing a few repairs on the landlords other rentals in exchange for a lower rent payment.
It is important to make arrangement in advance and in writing when venturing into such an agreement.
When I first got out of school I looked for housing listings on college websites and student unions. In the DC area I checked out American University and GW and found a group house with four other recent graduates.
i feel sorry for accountants around tax season, not only they they have to deal with regular clients but all their friends that are hoping they'll do it for them too
First of all, I like the mindset behind these calculations. Good work, and certainly interesting:)
That said, I recommend taking a holistic view. The cost of caffeine goes beyond these calculations, and can be borne later in life when the effects of some of these beverages/pills set in. For example, a can of soda will do damage to your teeth. Over time, with continued consumpion, this will lead to increased dental costs and other health effects. When looked at in this way, the costs of obtaining caffeine through this particular vehicle is much higher than based on a stand-alone calculation of cents/mg.
I recommend drinking tea. Green tea has myriad health benefits, without as many "issues" of many of the other beverages listed. From a financial point of view, this will be better in the long run. Of course, drinking water and not drinking just for caffeine is probably best. But probably the least fun!
Anyway, interesting analysis. Thanks for posting!
Reconsidering our loyalty to products and companies is a great personal finance tip that many people took for granted.
And of course yes, our health is always a good investment that will keep us away from medical expenses in the future.
I didn't do this on purpose, but we became friends with the landlord and we didn't have a problem getting our deposit back.
Ah, home of Bell's Brewery. I've been looking for a good excuse to get over there.
I think you mean dollars instead of cents. Either that or you need to share with us where you shop.
I think the first law should be "ask". You can get discounts at a lot of places you may not have thought of (i.e. big box retailers) by just asking.
Not really part of the actual "negotiation" process, but a pre-cursor I guess
Or even better....
I saved tons of money by kicking the caffeine habit altogether! I gave it up for health reasons, and the first two weeks were absolutely, positively HORRIBLE. But then, after that, I really found I didn't need it. I drink a big glass of water and take a stretch or do a quick spot of walking or exercise to wake up if I need to. I also found that without my caffeine habit, I had an easier time sleeping at night...which meant I had an easier time waking up in the morning. I still have a decaf coffee or an occasional coke or bit of chocolate from time to time, but I don't need it to get by like I used to. And the cost savings has been huge. I really was spending a lot of money on my caffeine fixes without realizing it!
In the DC area, a lot of people don't realize that Takoma Park is pretty much rent controlled. Also, there are places that are just outside the more desirable areas, but still are safe and charming, and not necessarily as scary as you might think at first blush.
The best place at the best rent that I found was simply by asking around. I ended up finding a great houseshare for a relatively tiny amount of rent. It also helped that I had a (very old and cheap but well-maintained) car, so I didn't need to be right near a metro.
I ask everyone I know if they know a great place at a good price. Then I give good references and ask for a lower rent. And also out of town is cheaper also.
See if there's anyway to find an enjoyable job to pay for your lodging. As a travel nurse, my mom's rent is taken care of by her company and there are some travel-related jobs (jobs on cruise ships jump to mind) where you're moving around enough that you can couch surf* or rent an extended stay hotel room when you're not at your job.
(*This is of course advice from someone who is single with no kids. ;) )
I haven't rented at all yet but just signed a lease at an apartment. I would't call it "cheap" but it's definitely a better deal than others!
We did have to work for it though--we were on a waiting list for 4 months!
I know not everyone can do that but if it's an option and it's the apartment or rental you want--go for it!
I can't condone the promotion of sleep deprivation, which for at least 97 percent of us can promote depression, decreases in effective intelligence, inconsistently sustained attention, riskier decision-making, and other problems with self-evaluation. Caffeine can stave off the symptoms related to alertness, but only in people who haven't built up a tolerance.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15798944
On the other hand, I can't resist applauding the effort at calculating unit prices. There's something amazing about the way a simple division operation can transform a bewildering array of choices into an easily comprehensible list.
I agree with Kellye about social networking. My husband and I have moved into units at below market rate rent by knowing the person who was moving out. When a landlord knows they don't have to really spiff up the place for a brand new tenant or spend money on advertising and the possibility the unit will sit empty for months, or have to take a chance on someone who isn't vetted by a good tenant, many are willing to take a bit of a hit and keep the price lower than what the market has increased to since their last tenant moved in.
Don't be afraid to negotiate or play hardball. Play rental companies against each other instead of just giving into their demands.
Renting with roommates is always cheaper! If you live in an older building (versus a brand new complex) rent will be lower, but don't compromise too much. You don't want to be stuck with broken appliances, faulting wiring, bad pipes, etc. Location is also key. If your job offers a travel subsidy, you can save money by living a little further away from the center of the city.
In a pinch, I have used caffeine energy sprays (w/vitamins). It's liquid, so it absorbs quickly - & less of a crash - I can get them at the Dollar Tree!
Thanks for sharing this great, quick life-line for those times when I just can't seem to get un-stuck.
I just finished up a week where I was wallowing in my S&%T, and I really could have used this tool. Instead, I relied on a few support methods I've gathered around myself over the past few years, and they helped me pull myself up and out.
And, I too, wrote a blogpost about it.
I stumbled on your article, I'm not even sure how-- I guess it's the universe at work again :-)
I will add this great new trick to my "toolkit" for sure. I'm a creativity coach, so my clients will really appreciate this too!
It sounds like you may have picked this up from somewhere, or can I credit it to you? I always like to acknowledge those who have come before...
Wishing you well-
In the old days we would look for old buildings w/apts. that needed TLC - rent them cheaply & then fix them up. There R neighborhoods that are respectable but not expensive - rather working class.
I also used to help my old landlord for some $ off the rent.
We also rented an apt. for a year in a Sr. Citizens complex because one of use was 55+ & the was the best deal in rentals in the area around Santa Barbara! (Found that deal on the internet & there even was a cash discount on the rental!)
You can apply to be an apartment manager in exchange for free/reduced rent.
In the old days we would look for old buildings w/apts. that needed TLC - rent them cheaply & then fix them up. There R neighborhoods that are respectable but not expensive - rather working class.
I also used to help my old landlord for some $ off the rent.
We also rented an apt. for a year in a Sr. Citizens complex because one of use was 55+ & the was the best deal in rentals in the area around Santa Barbara! (Found that deal on the internet & there even was a cash discount on the rental!)
You can apply to be an apartment manager in exchange for free/reduced rent.