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How to Afford an Apartment
The cost of living in the United States is notoriously high. For many people, this means that they cannot save up enough money for a down payment on an apartment, or even worse, pay their rent every month. If you find yourself struggling with making ends meet while still paying your rent each month, don’t worry too much! We will show you some easy ways to afford living space without breaking the bank.
Give Up Your Car
The first step to living a more economical life is giving up your car. Public transportation can be difficult, and the cost of buying a second-hand vehicle simply doesn’t make sense when you’re already struggling with rent. Many people save money on public transportation expenses by using a bike for local errands. If biking to work isn’t an option, you could ride the bus or walk to save gas and car maintenance money. You’ll also be able to build up your leg muscles by biking or walking instead of driving!
Give Up Your Cable
Another way that many people offset their rent is by giving up cable TV services. With streaming TV services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, you can get live television shows and movies without paying upwards of $100 per month. Even slightly more budget-friendly cable alternatives like SlingTV, which only costs $20-$25 per month.
Cancel Your Gym Membership
Many apartment complexes have a fitness center on-site, and since you pay for this monthly alongside your rent, you might as well use it! If the gym isn’t an option, many local parks have areas where you can exercise free of charge. You could also purchase a set of weights or a yoga mat to pick up some extra workouts in the comfort of your own home.
Give Up Your Daily Coffee
Drinking coffee every day can be challenging to give up, but there’s good news: it doesn’t have to. Consider brewing at home instead if you’re looking for something to replace your expensive trip to the local coffee shop. You could even save money by making your own roast instead of purchasing ground beans!
Give Up Alcohol
We all need a break from the stresses of work and life, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money going out to bars or buying liquor to relax. There are plenty of low-cost options for drinking these days, with local breweries offering great tastes without a hefty price tag. You could even try your hand at making your own brew to save even more money.
Summary
Whether you’re looking to cut back on your expenses or live more in line with your values, giving up your car and cable TV is a great place to start. Not only will this make rent cheaper, but it’ll also reduce your environmental impact and encourage you to get out of the house more.
No matter how you slice it, living the American dream on a budget is going to take some work. But if you really want an apartment of your own, this is the way it has to be done!