First Apartment Checklist
Need some help with first apartment check list cost
Things on your list I personally would just completely do without, at least at first:
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Placemats
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Coasters are so easy to DIY or improvise, find some scratched-up old CDs or cut up a political yard sign that hasn't been taken down after the election, or look on Pinterest. Also if you get a crummy coffee table from the curb, you don't need to worry about keeping it nice.
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Water filter. This obviously depends on your location, but really, tap water is fine in a lot of places without extra help.
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Paper towel holder
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Half of the mixing bowls, I cook a lot and rarely need more than 2.
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Food storage set, you can reuse jars and plastic tubs that your food comes in (and it's easy to get starters, just ask anyone who's not currently stocking a new kitchen to save some for you).
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Half the bath towels - one to use, one to hang to wipe your hands on, and one for a spare is a pretty good start
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Knife budget should go first to a good chef's knife, a good paring knife, and sharpening equipment, rather than a larger number of mediocre knives
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Rice cooker (YMMV, I am more of a noodle person than a rice person, but you can cook perfectly fine rice in a pot on the stove)
Not sure what's in your kitchen utensil set but you might be missing a wine opener or can opener. And a coffee maker, if you drink coffee.
The best way to set yourself up is to find someone who's moving cross-country, and just take all their stuff. A lot of people in that situation just give things away, or will sell it to you in a bundle for dirt cheap. Find your local free groups, and post that you're setting up a new apartment from scratch - people will offer you all sorts of stuff. Then hit Goodwill to fill in the gaps. Then you can spend the rest of your $2k3 budget at leisure as you decide which things are really worth adding or upgrading.
More on reddit.comMoving into first apartment checklist
What are some must-haves for a new apartment?
How can I shop for a first apartment on a budget?
Start by getting only the essentials–things like TVs, fancier kitchen appliances, and decorations can wait a little longer. You should also shop strategically to find the best bargains. Here are some places or types of places to look for deals: second-hand shops, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and Buy Nothing groups.
How can I set a budget?
The 50/30/20 rule is a great rule of thumb. You can budget your hard-earned income as follows: 50% for fixed expenses, 30% for fun! and 20% towards savings.You can also create sinking funds to save up slowly for future expenses, like unexpected car and medical expenses or vacation expenses. Some banks will even help you do this by enabling you to divide your savings account into different categories.
How can I split expenses with my roommates?
Have an open conversation and set boundaries about splitting expenses, both before and after you move in. You’ll also want to make a plan for tackling the shopping for your new apartment. For everyday items like toilet paper and cleaning supplies, sharing costs might make sense. But it’s best to avoid jointly investing in expensive items like furniture and electronics since you probably won’t be roommates forever.You should also keep a formal tally of all of your joint expenses. You can track them in a spreadsheet or through an expense-splitting app like Splitwise.
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I am going to be moving out of my parent’s house in the next few months and I was wondering if this is a good checklist to get me started. If there’s anything I should add or remove, please let me know because I am looking for any advice!