How to Live Frugal in an Apartment

apartments

Apartment living isn't for everyone, and it can be a very expensive way to live. You need to decide that you are going to live a frugal life and then make choices and decisions based on that. In this article we'll explore some of the options and ideas for living a frugal life in an apartment.

Things You'll Need

• a desire to live frugally in an apartment
• a budget
• a plan
• internet connection or ability to use the internet
• gumption

Instructions

1. 

   The very first step, and the most important one, for living frugally in an apartment is renting an apartment that you can truly afford.

   Financial experts typically recommend that you spend no more than 25% of your gross monthly income on rent. Thus, if your gross income is $2000.00 a month, your apartment should rent for no more than $500.00 a month.

   One way to get around this is to share the apartment expenses with a roommate. Not everyone is cut out for living with a friend or stranger though so make sure you really want to do this before taking this route. Otherwise, just stick to spending less on an apartment, even if that means it's a smaller and less luxurious apartment than you might prefer.

2. 

   Now that you've got your apartment, the next step in living frugally is to keep your monthly utility expenses as low as possible.

   Learn ways to use less electricity and water, if you pay for these over and above your rent, as well as ways of cutting your heating and cooling costs.

   Every dollar you can save on your utility bills is a dollar you can use for school, travel, investing, or saving purposes.

3. 

   To furnish your apartment in the most frugal fashion, furnish from home. Your parents home that is. Beg or borrow all the furniture you can from mom and dad.

   Whatever furniture you still need can be purchased cheaply at your local thrift store, or even gotten free from freecycle. Keep your eyes open for furniture bargains, wherever you go. Don't overlook yard or estate sales either, sometimes there are some terrific bargains to be had.

4. 

   Hopefully your apartment is close to your work or school, as well as being close to grocery, and other stores, and entertainment. By choosing an apartment near your work and with nearby stores and other conveniences you save on transportation expenses, including car parking expenses.

   You can also save on transportation costs by ditching your car completely and walking or riding a bike everywhere you go. Borrow a friends car for those few times you absolutely need one, or take the bus.

5. 

   Eat at home. Cook simple and healthy food. Buy in bulk, cut way down on unhealthy empty foods and eat less meat, dairy, and high fat foods.

   Get a cookbook from the library if you don't know how to cook. Eating out, whether at the local fast-food joint or at an expensive restaurant, is a terrible strain on your budget.

   Refuse to buy those expensive coffees in the coffee shops too; instead make your own coffee and take it with you in your own metal container.
   Keep coffee supplies at work, and make your own coffee there also.

   Avoid the vending machines at work or school by bringing your own snacks, or simple food with you. Bring your own refillable water container too.

6. 

   Declutter and simplify your apartment and your life by selling or giving away all the stuff you never use or wear. Your apartment will look and feel better, and your pocketbook will benefit too.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a budget for your monthly expenses and stick to it.

• Find free entertainment and fun things to do in your city. The library is a good place to start, they often have a good idea of what's going on in the area, plus you can check out books, and movies for free.

• Walk more, for your health, your budget, and your soul.

• Don't go window shopping or waste time in malls.

• Remember that a frugal life is a challenge but it is also oddly satisfying to save money when others are spending.