Apartment living can be expensive, which is why opening your mailbox to find a stack of bills is incredibly disheartening. Gas bills, water bills, electric bills, internet bills—all can have high prices attached, and no matter how high, need to be paid regularly. But there are ways to take the sting out of those monthly payments. First and foremost: be smart about the way you spend money on your apartment living.
As a general rule, the best thing you can do is keep track of your spending habits. Staying aware of how much you spend and on which bills can help you spot areas in which you are spending too much on apartment living, and, if necessary, figure out ways to redistribute the way you spend your money. If you don’t want to create your own system to track your spending, there are lots of ways to manage your finances. Use online services like Mint.com or smartphone apps like Ace Budget 2, Money by Jumsoft, BillTracker, and BillMinder to manage your money and gain a clear understanding of how you spend it.
Want to start by saving money on your utility bills? Here are few easy things you can do to lower your utility bill payment and the price of apartment living.
Phone, TV, and Internet Bills
Make sure that you have the best setup or package for your apartment living needs. You might be able to pay less by re-evaluating your cable provider plan. However, you may have to do a little extra research, since cheaper plans aren’t often the most advertised ones. See if getting each service separately, rather than as a bundle, would benefit your apartment living budget. If you rarely use your landline, look into a more basic plan or even opt out altogether in favor of cell phone use only. If you watch most of your TV and movies online or on your computer, consider reducing your cable plan to something like “broadcast basic” package. Also, evaluate your internet speed needs. If you use your internet for business or stream a lot of videos, stick with a fast connection. If you’re only doing light browsing and emailing, however, aim for something lower.
Gas and Electricity Bills
Save money during season changes by adjusting your apartment living habits to save on your gas bill no matter the weather. Program your thermostat or adjust it manually so that it is running optimally during the hottest and coolest parts of the day. Wash your clothes with cold water rather than hot—it will save money on your gas bill and actually maintain the colors of your clothes better!
Water Bills
As with other smart apartment living tips, the trick to saving money on your water bill is being mindful of your habits. Little things like turning off the tap while your brush your teeth, using the dishwasher only when it’s full, buying a low-flow showerhead, and using energy-efficient appliances can make a big difference in the number of gallons you use up per month in the long run.
For other apartment living tips, including advice on living with a roommate, small apartment living, choosing a family-friendly apartment, and more, search our Apartment Life blog, and see how ApartmentSearch.com can help make life in an apartment easier!
