Do you flinch at the thought of the words “fiscally responsible?” Does your head spin every time the cashier asks if you have a Nordstrom/Gap/PacSun card? Do your nightmares consist of dollar bills flying out of your wallet and into a pool of Wall Street-looking business men? Relax! If you’re new to managing your own finances and establishing credit, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few basic things that all credit card noobs should know. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a pretty great time to be alive. Almost anything you can think of can be delivered right to your front door. Whether you need a car to drive you to the airport, dinner from your favorite restaurant, a selection of clothes from a virtual stylist, or a doggy door from Amazon for your house-trained miniature horse, it’s all just a few clicks away. Read the rest of this entry »

Clutter in any apartment can make a space seem smaller, but a messy one-bedroom apartment can start to feel tiny fast. Fortunately, renters who take a more laid-back approach to tidying up can still keep things neat. Here are 5 cleaning hacks that will help even the laziest renter maintain a tidy living space.

1. Don’t Tackle It All in One Day

The prospect of doing a big cleaning spree in a single day can seem overwhelming—and if you’re busy, downright impractical. Rather than carving out long periods of time on a single day, distribute your cleaning tasks throughout the week. Clean up just the bathroom before you go to bed on Monday. Sweep the kitchen and put away the dishes after dinner on Tuesday. Read the rest of this entry »

Does the thought of your heating bill make you shiver? If you live in an apartment, you may think there isn’t much you can do to reduce you heating bill this winter. However, even those living in cities with colder climates, like apartment dwellers in Columbus or Seattle, can make small changes to cut back on expensive heating costs. Here are a few ways to save on costs with little time and effort.

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Let’s say a close friend comes to you and asks for help securing a two-bedroom apartment. She is able to pay all the deposits and has no problem adhering to the terms of the lease, but she has bad credit and so the landlord probably won’t accept her as a renter. So she’s asking you to cosign the lease with her. However, you’re worried about what cosigning could do to your credit. What would you do?

Whether you are considering cosigning a lease for a friend or a family member, here are some things you should know about how cosigning might affect your credit score.

What does cosigning mean?

“Cosigning” is exactly what it sounds like: you are signing a lease alongside another person. Because a lease is a contract guaranteeing that the signees will uphold the terms of the lease, both the renter and you will be responsible for adhering to those terms. More specifically, if you are cosigning, you are guaranteeing that the renter will pay all bills due to the apartment. If they can’t, it falls on you to meet the financial terms of the lease.

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Q & A: Virginia Miner, senior area manager of Destination Services for ApartmentSearch

Whether you are moving to a new area because you graduated, are taking a new job, are newly retired, or for any other reason, there is so much to learn about your new destination. In the midst of all that is involved with moving to a new area, finding the best apartment for you can often seem overwhelming. Here, Virginia Miner, senior area manager of Destination Services for ApartmentSearch, explains how to find the right apartment for you.

ApartmentSearch: For those seeking a new apartment, what is the first thing they should do? Read the rest of this entry »

Bringing plants into your space is a great way to liven up your one bedroom apartment, but not everyone is born with a green thumb; we’re speaking from experience here! To avoid future indoor gardening mishaps, we’ve compiled the top 5 tips you need to keep plants thriving in any indoor climate.

Set a Watering Schedule

If you’re like us, watering your plants has been somewhat of an afterthought. And by the time you remember to water, your plant might be looking a little worse for the wear. Set a watering schedule based on your plants watering needs (add a standing appointment to your calendar) and you’ll be better prepared to tend to your plant on a more regular basis. Read the rest of this entry »

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: Read the rest of this entry »

As winter weather continues to slam the northeastern region of the United States, homes with functioning heat become increasingly vital. For renters, it’s important to understand what your landlord’s obligations are when it comes to heating your apartment and what to do when staying warm this winter falls to you. So what exactly are you entitled to? Read the rest of this entry »

Have you found yourself still single as Valentine’s Day is approaching? Have no fear! Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about surviving single or moping around. Let’s shoot some of Cupid’s arrows right into the heart of that myth and start your own Valentine’s traditions this year. Here are four ideas to help you feel inspired.

Celebrate Being Single

While the rest of the world seems to be pairing off, it’s good to remember that you should embrace all the reasons being single is awesome. Use Valentine’s Day as a mini-holiday for yourself and splurge on that pair of shoes or new gadget you’ve had your eye on. Or you could revel in the alone time of your 1-bedroom apartment and sleep in as late as you want! Read the rest of this entry »