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April 15 is a wake-up call for many of us. It is a time when we re-evaluate our finances, determining where we are spending our money and how we can save more of it. Unfortunately, for those who live in a home, the “saving money” part of the equation seems elusive. Every time they feel like they are making progress on bills and savings accounts, some new expense comes along to hamper their goals. An appliance stops working. A water pipe breaks and floods the carpet or wood flooring. The sod has to be replaced after a rough winter and pressure from the HOA.

There is an endless list of unplanned-for expenses that pile up. And these are not even the regular, monthly expenses. In addition to high utility costs, homeowners are paying mortgages, property taxes, lawn and landscaping fees, and a host of other home repair and upkeep expenses. The burden of mortgages – which are still disproportionately high after the housing bubble burst – and the other expenses is what has led many homeowners to switch to apartment living.

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With a growing economy, US workers are taking more risks and relocating for new positions across the country. Thirty-six percent of employers plan to increase their hiring of full-time, permanent employees this year, according to CareerBuilder’s 2015 U.S. Job Forecast.

Tech companies and all types of corporations are hiring hundreds of new positions in Austin, Texas; Seattle, Wash.; Lincoln, Neb.; Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Worth, Texas; Columbus, Ohio, Minneapolis, Minn.; Denver, Colo.; and Oklahoma City, Okla., and many other U.S. cities. Let’s say your company – or potentially a new company – asks you to move across the country to take one of these full-time positions. Are you prepared for everything that is involved with relocating for a job across the country?

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When it comes to living in your first apartment, it’s difficult to know what kitchen items you’ll need right off the bat. Most of us know that kitchen tools like silverware, plates, and can openers are essentials but what about small appliances? Even if your 1-bedroom apartment has a small kitchen, there are a few gadgets that will make your life much easier. When it comes to kitchen appliances, here are our top recommendations:

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If you’re living life on the college kid budget, then you’ve probably asked the question, “Do you have a discount for students?” at your favorite food stop. If you’re new to the student life or are looking to save a couple pennies, here are some starter tips to get you on the discounted path.

Find Expert Resources

A grad student, victory-lapping senior, or online forum could have all the golden knowledge you need to eat or shop cheaper. Beyond the usual spots around your campus, there could be somewhere you never thought would sympathize with your college going that will happily knock 15% off your taco bill.

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So you finally found the absolutely perfect apartment for rent? Before you pop that bottle of champagne and kick back to celebrate, take pause; there may be a few considerations your new property manager or owner didn’t mention. Here are the key questions to ask before you take the renting plunge.

What amenities are included?

What is the parking situation like? Where do residents wash their laundry? What appliances come standard? When moving into a new complex, it’s easy to forget that not all apartments are created equal. Some complexes may require assigned, paid parking spots or don’t have a laundry facility on-site. Asking about the amenities can help narrow down your choices.

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Generally, multiple bedroom apartments save each tenant some money compared to renting a one-bedroom or studio apartment by yourself. Of course, this leads to the dreaded roommate dilemma. Maybe you have had a bad roommate experience, or have never had a roommate at all. Thinking about trying a “blind” roommate? Use these tips to avoid setting yourself up for disaster and have a pleasant experience in your apartment while saving money on rent.

Do: Seek Practical Resources

Where you look for a roommate should depend on your situation. If you’re in college, there are usually resources for students to find roommates. Even if the university doesn’t provide it, there can be Facebook groups, or an outside resource online like RoomSync to match roommates at specific colleges.

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Now that the holidays and New Year’s Day have come and gone, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life and forget about those pesky resolutions that were made on January 1st. Whether your resolution was to lose weight, spend less money, or just be happier, life has a habit of getting in the way of achieving your goals. However, there are plenty of easy ways that apartment living can help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions.

Save Money

There are many different ways to go about saving money, and apartment living can help you do that! If your finances are getting a little tight, consider moving in with a roommate, cut back on the little things like eating out, or check out our Budget Blog Roundup for excellent tips on saving money while living in an apartment.

Be Happier

If 2014 wasn’t your best year, maybe it’s time for a change. Take the leap and find a new job that makes you happier or cut out the negative people in your life. A new year allows you to change things up, so consider where you’re living and if you’re content there. Start fresh, find an apartment in a new city, and jump into the culture there. Making a big change can seem scary, but it might just be the thing you need to make 2015 your best year yet.

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There are many myths surrounding the renting vs. buying situation. If you’re considering moving into an apartment for rent or purchasing a house, you’ll find lots of conflicting arguments about which one is better. Either way, deciding between renting or buying takes a lot of time and resources. But don’t worry! We’re going to debunk a few of these myths to make your decision process a little easier.

Myth: Buying is always better renting.

Truth: Definitely not true! There are a lot of factors that will help determine whether you should buy or rent. What is your budget? How long will you live there? How much room do you need? What’s the current state of the housing market in your area? What does your credit score look like? Once you can answer these questions, you will be able to make the decision right for you.

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Rent is one of the many expenses that can vary quite a bit depending on where you live. And the more expensive it gets, the more important it becomes to find the right place the first time. Here are some helpful tips to help you find an apartment in some of the more expensive cities in the U.S.

Los Angeles, California

  • Median studio apartment: $1,405
  • Median one-bedroom apartment: $1,740
  • Median two-bedroom apartment: $2,406

If you want to get an apartment in LA, the first thing you need to understand is your budget. You shouldn’t be spending more than 1/40th of your annual gross income on an apartment. So if you are making only $40,000/year before taxes, you need an apartment that costs less than $1,000 a month. The choices in this price range will be limited, so you may need creative alternatives such as finding one (or multiple) roommates.

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