First apartment expenses?

Question

I was wondering if anyone could give me a detailed list of first apartment expenses? Everything from essentials, bills, entertainment, decor, etc.

The more detailed the better. I will most likely be buying everything from scratch, except for clothes and a computer.

Answer 1

electric

cable / internet

telephone

food

current debt payments / loans

cleaning supplies

vacuum

decorating - do little each month based on your budget until the place is finally finished...do not get into debt or feel you need to rush...it takes time

Answer 2

Furnish the whole place from garage sales.  $100.    

Electric $80

Water included in apt or you pay $20

Cable $35

Phone $35

Start moving. /

Answer 3

It depends on what your standards are with the items that you are purchasing.

For my first apartment, as far as furniture I had pretty high standards, and wanted to have new, nice items (not ragging on garagae sale items, but this was just what I wanted), so I went to Aarons (you coud go to any rent to own.  The down side of this is that you will definately pay more for your items in the long run by paying them off one month at a time, but for me it was the best way, because I didn't have that kind of money to put down.  So here is what my breakdown was when I first moved into my new home...(also I'll give you an estimated total of what to expect on your monthly bills)  Keep in mind that the deposits shown are going to be different for you depending on your credit history.

Move-In costs:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

$150.00  Electric Deposit

$170.00  Cable Deposit

$  50.00  Water Deposit  

$500.00  Rental Deposit - This will definately change depending on the property

$800.00  First Month

$800.00  Last Month

$300.00  Moving Truck -  With fuel and $130 for the truck - you may not need this if you dont have anything to bring.

$260.00  Furniture - PER MONTH (my package from Aarons was a 42" TV, couch, love seat, 2 end tables and a coffee table)

$350.00  Bed - you can also get a cheap one from garage sales, depends on what you want - I got the one for my spare bedroom from a church sale for $10.00

$120.00  Dresser - nice from walmart

$  40.00  Dishes - for a nice Walmart set

$  15.00  Silverwear -nice Walmart set

$  60.00  Bathroom essc. - total for nice shower curtan, rug, soap dispencer, trash can and long mirror

$150.00  Bedroom essc. - bedding, lamps, hangers, shoe rack - Walmart stuff

$100.00  Misc...  extra for things like paintings, extra mirrors, nice salt/pepper shakers, etc...the small stuff

TOTAL MOVE IN COSTS:::::::$3865.00, make it an even $4000.00

Remeber, this amount was with new items.  There is nothing wrong with going to a church sale or garage sales and getting the same things, just gently used for HUNDREDS cheaper!!!!

My monthly bills were:

$120.00  Electric

$150.00  Cable, Internet, Phone

$  50.00  Water

$260.00  Aarons Furniture Rental (For 18 months)

$800.00  Rent

$110.00  Car Insurance - Obviously you wont have this if you dont have a car

$260.00  Car Payment - Obviously you wont have this if you dont have a car

$500.00  PER MONTH for food, fuel, etc...

TOTAL MONTHLY BILLS ARE $2250.00

I hope this helps you.  This is roughly what I was paying when I had my first apartment.  If you dont have too much money to spend, I would DEFINATLY recommend going to garage sales and church sales...you can get the same things MUCH CHEAPER, just gently used.

Good luck.