Getting Your Own Space Outside Of Campus Need Not Be A Bank Breaker
If you plan on getting an off-campus apartment, it is likely that you are already looking at stuff to put in your apartment. Although the thought of living alone and away from your parents is indeed exciting, you should not forget that this would mean more spending on your part. Forget the nightly drinking sessions with your buddies, by the time your electricity bills arrive, you will probably want to move back to your parents.
Nevertheless, living off campus can become a nice enough experience – if you could make the cut financially. Here are some tips you can consider before moving in to that coveted freedom space you so desire.
1. Choose a really small space, like a studio apartment. If you want to live large, look for a roommate with whom you can split costs. You do not need much space while studying; it is not permanent. Once you graduate, you will be moving into something more suited to your upcoming lifestyle as part of the labor force.
2. Look for an apartment early. You have a lot of competition and the later you begin your search, the lesser your choices will be. The best deals would have been grabbed early on and you might end up in an expensive flat you would not be able to sustain, or a cheap hole somewhere really far from campus.
3. As much as possible, rent out a place that already has furniture. You will need a bed, some chairs or sofas, a dining set and kitchen appliances such as an oven, a microwave, and a refrigerator. These are the things you will not survive without.
4. If you need to buy furniture because you could not find a place that is already furnished, buy cheap. As long as you think it can last you four years, then go for it. You also have the option of swiping the extra stuff from your parent’s house. Bring a small table and a pair of sturdy chairs from the basement, some of your futons and bean bags, your mattress, ad sheets and pillows. Cart away as many necessities as you possibly can without emptying your parent’s home.
5. If your parents are not packrats and you can get away with it, beg your parents to buy you furniture. The more stuff they buy for you, the less you have to buy for yourself. Try to get your parents to purchase the more expensive things that you need so you can shoulder the cheaper buys.
6. Decorate minimally. A few strategically placed but cheap frames can add the panache you want for your pad. If you think you have green thumb, place a few live plants in your space to liven it up, otherwise go for the fake ones. Have a theme, like a color or a country to keep you in line when decorating. Keep your decorating less expensive by checking out discount stores in the area.
See: Student Credit Cards
Tags: Student credit card