Making the New Apartment Livable on a Shoestring Budget (written for Tempe Rentals)
First time apartment renters are not usually blessed with a lot of excess money or furnishings. If they're lucky, they have a tattered couch, a kitchen table, a bed, and enough money for the security deposit. Making the space livable and functional can be frustrating. Here are some suggestions for the new or soon-to-be first time apartment renter to help bridge the gap.
First of all, consider taking in one or more roommates. Two-bedroom apartments are a lot more common, and utilities don't cost much more for a two-bedroom than they do for a one-bedroom place. Getting a roommate will not only help defray costs and expenses, but he or she may have access to additional pieces of furniture or appliances that you do not, saving you the money of having to buy them.
If the idea of a roommate is out of the question, then thrifty shopping is in order. For furnishings, and even some small appliances, Craigslist is a wonderful choice. This website is the electronic version of the newspaper classifieds, but has real-time listings and often includes a picture. People buy and sell regularly on this site and there are some great pieces out there, especially if you don't get too picky about style or color.
Another option, especially for more exotic items like a TV or home theater system, is to rent them. Most rental companies even include a "rent-to-own" program, so the money spent is not completely wasted, but it will get you what you need immediately without having to spend a lot of money up front.
