Um....so I'm moving out.

[Azuremen]

Avoid Ramen/Insta-noodles. They get dull faster than they're cooked. Get a washing machine and other cleaning essentials. Also, check out second hand stuff, saves a big amount of money when looking for furniture.

Conversely, add eggs and veggies with a hot sauce and other seasonings, and you have something that is actually a proper soup.

 

[Small_Fryz]

Conversely, add eggs and veggies with a hot sauce and other seasonings, and you have something that is actually a proper soup.

^^ This

I also get the 2minute asian noodles with soy sauce, chilli and some other oil flavoring thingo. Add frozen vegetables, and a few other sauces and bam! its really nice.

 

[in.s@ne]

I used to have a fantastic rice cooker, but she dumped me.

Man that made my day.

Also my tip would be don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Not necessarily financially, but things like if you're not sure how to paint something properly, cook something, etc.
You might feel like an idiot to ask, but you'll feel more like an idiot if it goes wrong and you didn't!

 

[CDailey]

Not necessarily an apartment dwelling tip so much as a tip for living on your own in any situation, but pay all your bills as early as you can. Nothing like the feeling of paying a bill the day after you receive it and not having to worry about it for another month. Also...save, save, save!

Learning to cook is also a great tip. It saves a ton of money and is better than eating out all the time.

 

[Jim Prower]

Thanks guys. :3

1: I do not have "party friends."

2: didn't plan on getting Cable. I have an old TV I got for free, converter box and antenna coming, and we have many Digital Over-the-air channels, absolutely free. You'd be suprised how entertaining Public TV actually can be. X3

3: I can cook...but new recipes are always appreciated. I cannot, however, bake. Well, I can, but it's a rather time-consuming, very precise art that anything can go wrong with.

4: Apartment is steam heat, and is part of my rent. Electric water heat, and A/C, on the other hand, are not covered, since electricity is my responsibility. Thus, summers may be a bit warm, and showers cold. Laundry at least, will be cold...

5: Paying bills early is definitely a good idea. If I can, I like to have them out in the mail as soon as I get them.

6: The MAIN issue at the moment is trying to figure out what Internet will be per month after those promotional rates expire. Right now, it looks like a local provider might be the way to go...but they charge extra one-time fees for stuff like wireless routers, which come with the big national providers.

That, and finding a bed frame and box spring.

 

[Omnis]

Since we're talking about cooking and moving out on your own, you have to get yourself a copy of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594202680/?tag=gtplanet-20

Pretty much everything you need to know about anything. How to shop, store, cook, everything. It's a perfect gift for someone embarking into independence much like you and your current situation.

 

[BrutherSuperior]

Before you get settled in; take pictures of everything...seriously. Walls, floors, cabinets, doors, sinks, and appliances - document everything you can.

Some landlords are not exactly scrupulous and may try to screw you out of your security deposit later on. Once you move out, you'll get a bill in the mail for an obscene amount of 'damages' in hopes you will not respond or pay. With pictures, you can take the bastard to court.

Once you move in; take pictures of everything you have again. Keep a file of serial numbers of big ticket items and their receipts somewhere too. If you happen to go on vacation for a week and your place was robbed, you'll have an easy time filling out police reports and dealing with your insurance company afterward. I learned this the hard way.

If you ever have any complaints about neighbors, broken appliances, water leaks, vandalism, or anything that requires you to call the landlord/front office; document it (time, date, who you spoke to, etc).

If 6mo down the line you're 2nd guessing yourself about renting where you are, you may be able to break your lease if you have documented that they have not fulfilled their terms.

I'm not sure where you're renting but if it's a college town there's a 100% chance that there will be scumbag landlords, predatory towing companies, petty crime, and theft during school vacations.

...

Other tid bits;
-Buy a nice vacuum. If the landlord allows pets, there's a good chance something has pissed on the floor before. Use some Arm & Hammer carpet deodorizer before you start putting furniture everywhere.

-I'd also buy a few extra filters for your furnace/air conditioner. Landlords do not like to change these.

-Try not to use credit cards/department store cards for new furniture. Sounds obvious, but you can get into trouble pretty quickly. Bed, couch, coffee table, and a TV stand is really all a man needs. That's $250 at the Goodwill or $3000+ at a new furniture store. You're choice.

-Ortho Home Defense is amazing stuff. Spray it around your windows, doors, floor moldings, corners of walls and you'll never have a bug problem. (lasts 6 months)

 

[lbsf1]

Also another money tip, if you smoke try not to smoke heavily, it drains your money quick as, if you do smoke limit yourself to a certain amount a day and stick to it.