Comments on: Guest Post: Living Frugally and Pleasantly in an Apartment http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 25 May 2012 02:56:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Amber Weinberg http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272237 Amber Weinberg Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:23:37 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272237 I always wanted a house back when I was married but I must admit, I LOVE living in this 750sq feet 1 bedroom apartment....LOTS of space, but only takes me 30 minutes to clean and was inexpensive to furnish. I always wanted a house back when I was married but I must admit, I LOVE living in this 750sq feet 1 bedroom apartment….LOTS of space, but only takes me 30 minutes to clean and was inexpensive to furnish.

]]> By: ImJuniperNow http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272236 ImJuniperNow Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:38:50 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272236 All of this information is also valuable for those of us who own garden apartment-type condos (the ones like where your grandmother used to live). Space and services are always at a premium - And make the most of what you have! All of this information is also valuable for those of us who own garden apartment-type condos (the ones like where your grandmother used to live). Space and services are always at a premium – And make the most of what you have!

]]> By: maruchan http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272235 maruchan Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:18:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272235 I spent the first 19 yrs of my marriage in tiny apartments in Tokyo and then San Francisco...because who can afford a house in either location?! We have two good jobs plus enough common sense not to have gotten caught in a million-yr mortgage for 10 times what we make. Anyway, not what I had ever thought would happen to me. But it's been a great 20 yrs (this November), full of rich experiences, home cooked meals, yes: house guests, plenty of books and travel and a select group of very beloved cats. It's not like we weren't actually living just because we couldn't get a house. (We're renting one now.) It's time this mythology got the airing it deserves. Need I say, other marriages around us, ones with houses and kids and all the trimmings, have come and gone while ours is still here. There are things that life is truly made of, and there are things that are being marketed to you. Life in a small space can be very broad in the most real sense. I spent the first 19 yrs of my marriage in tiny apartments in Tokyo and then San Francisco…because who can afford a house in either location?! We have two good jobs plus enough common sense not to have gotten caught in a million-yr mortgage for 10 times what we make. Anyway, not what I had ever thought would happen to me. But it’s been a great 20 yrs (this November), full of rich experiences, home cooked meals, yes: house guests, plenty of books and travel and a select group of very beloved cats. It’s not like we weren’t actually living just because we couldn’t get a house. (We’re renting one now.) It’s time this mythology got the airing it deserves. Need I say, other marriages around us, ones with houses and kids and all the trimmings, have come and gone while ours is still here. There are things that life is truly made of, and there are things that are being marketed to you. Life in a small space can be very broad in the most real sense.

]]> By: Emily http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272234 Emily Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:32:32 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272234 With your last tip - people such as apartment managers and maintenance folk (along with postal workers, newspaper delivers, &c.) get lots of treats during holiday time. I recommend that to make friends with them, bake a batch of cookies for them "just because." If you are doing something during the holidays, try making them dinner instead of baking treats! Everyone gives sugary treats, and people in service positions such as those get more and more busy during holiday seasons - they could always use a good meal that they don't have to prepare. Doing something like this is more likely to be special to them, and will give you a better opportunity to get to know them. With your last tip – people such as apartment managers and maintenance folk (along with postal workers, newspaper delivers, &c.) get lots of treats during holiday time. I recommend that to make friends with them, bake a batch of cookies for them “just because.” If you are doing something during the holidays, try making them dinner instead of baking treats! Everyone gives sugary treats, and people in service positions such as those get more and more busy during holiday seasons – they could always use a good meal that they don’t have to prepare.

Doing something like this is more likely to be special to them, and will give you a better opportunity to get to know them.

]]> By: Emily http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272233 Emily Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:25:48 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272233 With your last tip - people such as apartment managers and maintenance folk (along with postal workers, newspaper delivers, &c.) get lots of treats during holiday time. I recommend that to make friends with them, bake a batch of cookies for them "just because." If you are doing something during the holidays, try making them dinner instead of baking treats! Everyone gives sugary treats, and people in service positions such as those get more and more busy during holiday seasons - they could always use a good meal that they don't have to prepare. Doing something like this is more likely to be special to them, and will give you a better opportunity to get to know them. With your last tip – people such as apartment managers and maintenance folk (along with postal workers, newspaper delivers, &c.) get lots of treats during holiday time. I recommend that to make friends with them, bake a batch of cookies for them “just because.” If you are doing something during the holidays, try making them dinner instead of baking treats! Everyone gives sugary treats, and people in service positions such as those get more and more busy during holiday seasons – they could always use a good meal that they don’t have to prepare.

Doing something like this is more likely to be special to them, and will give you a better opportunity to get to know them.

]]> By: Jen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272232 Jen Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:41:34 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272232 Our family has just recently been forced to downsize homes considerably. I'm learning to be thankful to the Lord though. We went from a 1900s.f. 4 bedroom house down to a 900s.f. 2 bedroom apartment. We have 5 children. Not idea of "ideal" but God has been faithful. We aren't tripping on each other as I originally imagined we would and we've learned what constitutes a NEED as opposed to a WANT. Be thankful with what you have and make the most of it! Jen Our family has just recently been forced to downsize homes considerably. I’m learning to be thankful to the Lord though. We went from a 1900s.f. 4 bedroom house down to a 900s.f. 2 bedroom apartment. We have 5 children. Not idea of “ideal” but God has been faithful. We aren’t tripping on each other as I originally imagined we would and we’ve learned what constitutes a NEED as opposed to a WANT. Be thankful with what you have and make the most of it!

Jen

]]> By: Denese http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272231 Denese Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:43:12 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272231 We live in a very small one-room cabin (building as we go)and I store a lot of things (toy sets, homeschooling supplies, etc.) in tubs under the beds. If you put risers under your bedposts you can get the bigger tubs under there. We also have lots of shelves and several small dressers that do double duty as storage and side tables. We live in a very small one-room cabin (building as we go)and I store a lot of things (toy sets, homeschooling supplies, etc.) in tubs under the beds. If you put risers under your bedposts you can get the bigger tubs under there. We also have lots of shelves and several small dressers that do double duty as storage and side tables.

]]> By: Cindy Rae http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272230 Cindy Rae Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:07:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272230 Regarding the bird feeder -- You can attract more wildlife than you think to a small outdoor area. It's easy to provide the basics of food, water, and shelter. Provide food with bird feeders of various types and butterfly-favored plants in containers. Provide water in a simple saucer (weigh it down with a rock to keep it from blowing away), a nice pedestal birdbath, or a water garden with waterfall feature (with the deeper water covered so birds don't fall in). Shelter can be a simple birdhouse, a winter roost, a bat house (ignore the legends -- they're largely beneficial), a (non-hive) friendly bee house, an evergreen container plant during winter, or even a small winter leaf pile. Regarding the bird feeder –

You can attract more wildlife than you think to a small outdoor area. It’s easy to provide the basics of food, water, and shelter.

Provide food with bird feeders of various types and butterfly-favored plants in containers.

Provide water in a simple saucer (weigh it down with a rock to keep it from blowing away), a nice pedestal birdbath, or a water garden with waterfall feature (with the deeper water covered so birds don’t fall in).

Shelter can be a simple birdhouse, a winter roost, a bat house (ignore the legends — they’re largely beneficial), a (non-hive) friendly bee house, an evergreen container plant during winter, or even a small winter leaf pile.

]]> By: Olivia http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272229 Olivia Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:55:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272229 This is probably really obvious, but my husband and I didn't do this until almost living in our apartment for two years (we're in year three right now): Put your bed up against a wall. It's just my husband and I (plus our two cats), and we had a queen-sized bed smack dab in the middle of our bedroom with just the head of the bed touching the wall. We wanted to rearrange the furniture and decided to move the bed so one entire side was up against the wall and the head was at another wall. (Pardon me, I'm horrible at giving descriptions.) For us, this opened up our bedroom and gave us so much more walking room! We look forward to having our own home one day, but we enjoy are little one bedroom/one bathroom. It's quaint, but it seems to do the trick right now. :) This is probably really obvious, but my husband and I didn’t do this until almost living in our apartment for two years (we’re in year three right now): Put your bed up against a wall. It’s just my husband and I (plus our two cats), and we had a queen-sized bed smack dab in the middle of our bedroom with just the head of the bed touching the wall. We wanted to rearrange the furniture and decided to move the bed so one entire side was up against the wall and the head was at another wall. (Pardon me, I’m horrible at giving descriptions.) For us, this opened up our bedroom and gave us so much more walking room!

We look forward to having our own home one day, but we enjoy are little one bedroom/one bathroom. It’s quaint, but it seems to do the trick right now. :)

]]> By: natalie http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272228 natalie Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:45:22 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272228 Shoe bags! Hang a shoe organizer inside every door. Use one for stationary, stamps, bills going in and out; another for shoes, belts, jewelry, anything small that needs sorting, even tools! Shoe bags!
Hang a shoe organizer inside every door. Use one for stationary, stamps, bills going in and out; another for shoes, belts, jewelry, anything small that needs sorting, even tools!

]]> By: Rebekah http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272227 Rebekah Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:58:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272227 My husband and I have been living in our apartment since our wedding 3 years ago. One way that we saved money was to register for a Premier Raised Queen size Aero bed. It cost half the cost (or even less) than a regular bed. Plus because we got it as a wedding gift it was FREE! We RARELY have to add any air to the mattress. We really do love it. Plus when we move to a house, we just have to deflate it, put it in the bag that it comes in, and carry it right out of the house. It will make a great guest bed when that time comes. My husband and I have been living in our apartment since our wedding 3 years ago. One way that we saved money was to register for a Premier Raised Queen size Aero bed. It cost half the cost (or even less) than a regular bed. Plus because we got it as a wedding gift it was FREE! We RARELY have to add any air to the mattress. We really do love it. Plus when we move to a house, we just have to deflate it, put it in the bag that it comes in, and carry it right out of the house. It will make a great guest bed when that time comes.

]]> By: Jen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272226 Jen Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:09:19 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272226 I loved the article, and second all the comments. My hubby and I have 3 kids and have been married for 12 years, and live in a large 2 bd/2bath apartment in a large urban area. It's not how I imagined raising my family and for many years I had a hard time being content, but now I know that if we moved into a house I'd miss our current living situation so much! Some of the perks: 1. If my fridge goes out, toilet gets clogged, oven stops working? I call the maintenance guy and they fix it or bring a new appliance. No cost to me. (Plus, no lawn to mow, etc.) 2. My utilities are included in the rent. No question of how much the bills will be... even better, no bills for all that stuff! 3. Rent control means that the longer we live here, the better deal we're getting. 4. We have close neighbors whom we've built relationships with, and close friends for my kids (our building has 400 units, with several families) 5. Although I have to cart my 4 loads of laundry down to the laundry room every week, I also get it all washed, dried, folded and put away in a day and don't worry about it again until next week. 6. If we have to move, there's no worry about trying to sell the place. I loved the article, and second all the comments. My hubby and I have 3 kids and have been married for 12 years, and live in a large 2 bd/2bath apartment in a large urban area. It’s not how I imagined raising my family and for many years I had a hard time being content, but now I know that if we moved into a house I’d miss our current living situation so much! Some of the perks:
1. If my fridge goes out, toilet gets clogged, oven stops working? I call the maintenance guy and they fix it or bring a new appliance. No cost to me. (Plus, no lawn to mow, etc.)
2. My utilities are included in the rent. No question of how much the bills will be… even better, no bills for all that stuff!
3. Rent control means that the longer we live here, the better deal we’re getting.
4. We have close neighbors whom we’ve built relationships with, and close friends for my kids (our building has 400 units, with several families)
5. Although I have to cart my 4 loads of laundry down to the laundry room every week, I also get it all washed, dried, folded and put away in a day and don’t worry about it again until next week.
6. If we have to move, there’s no worry about trying to sell the place.

]]> By: Allison http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272225 Allison Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:36:16 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272225 We have lived in apartments for over 6 years now, and for most of that time we have served as a CARES Team: http://caresteam.org It is a Christian ministry that places a team (a husband and wife or 2 singles) in an apartment to serve the residents and staff by organizing events and being there in times of need, supported by your local church. You can find out more at the website, but for volunteering 70 hours/month, you will usually be given a 2BR/2BA apartment rent free! This has greatly helped us pay off debts and save up for my husband's graduate school expenses and hopefully, a house. Right now, though, we love living here with our family and love serving our neighbors together. We have one small child and one on the way, and hope that this will help model the command to "love your neighbor" to our sons. Many of the things you mentioned (a community garage sale, having dinner with neighbors) are things that you can do as part of CARES. Right now the program is limited to 9 major cities, but check the list on the website because they are always trying to add more. Oh, and I second the ideas about investing in bookshelves and dressers! It helps SO much with storage, especially with kids! (Just make sure they are anchored to the wall!) We have lived in apartments for over 6 years now, and for most of that time we have served as a CARES Team: http://caresteam.org It is a Christian ministry that places a team (a husband and wife or 2 singles) in an apartment to serve the residents and staff by organizing events and being there in times of need, supported by your local church. You can find out more at the website, but for volunteering 70 hours/month, you will usually be given a 2BR/2BA apartment rent free! This has greatly helped us pay off debts and save up for my husband’s graduate school expenses and hopefully, a house. Right now, though, we love living here with our family and love serving our neighbors together. We have one small child and one on the way, and hope that this will help model the command to “love your neighbor” to our sons. Many of the things you mentioned (a community garage sale, having dinner with neighbors) are things that you can do as part of CARES. Right now the program is limited to 9 major cities, but check the list on the website because they are always trying to add more.

Oh, and I second the ideas about investing in bookshelves and dressers! It helps SO much with storage, especially with kids! (Just make sure they are anchored to the wall!)

]]> By: Brittany http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272224 Brittany Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:30:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272224 Vacuum seal bags are VERY handy as well! Walgreens was very nice to help me organize some items for free with these last month. Vacuum seal bags are VERY handy as well! Walgreens was very nice to help me organize some items for free with these last month.

]]> By: Sarah http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272223 Sarah Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:43:26 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272223 Please be careful using bay leaves around the house. They are very sturdy leaves and have sharp edges. If an animal or child accidentally swallowed one, it could do some serious damage to their esophagus. (Always remove it from your soups and stews after cooking and before serving for this same reason :) Please be careful using bay leaves around the house. They are very sturdy leaves and have sharp edges. If an animal or child accidentally swallowed one, it could do some serious damage to their esophagus. (Always remove it from your soups and stews after cooking and before serving for this same reason :)

]]> By: Sheila http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272222 Sheila Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:17:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272222 I also live in a 2nd floor apartment. We rarely turn the heat on in the winter. It's all electric, and our power bill is always 20 to 30 dollars more in the summer because of the AC. However, in the winter, we often have to open our patio door because our neighbors are trying to bake us out. I look forward to the day we can finally buy our first home. So we can properly stockpile!!! DH has noticed that I am bringing home more and more every week, but our grocery bill is getting less. We are quickly running out of room. Today at Lowes, I bought a Rubbermaid over the door pantry unit, that was on clearance for $8.74! Regular price was $32.99. I also bought a wrap/bag organizer for $8.99 (also on clearance, but it was only half off). Much better made then the one's Target and Walmart sell. I also live in a 2nd floor apartment. We rarely turn the heat on in the winter. It’s all electric, and our power bill is always 20 to 30 dollars more in the summer because of the AC. However, in the winter, we often have to open our patio door because our neighbors are trying to bake us out.

I look forward to the day we can finally buy our first home. So we can properly stockpile!!! DH has noticed that I am bringing home more and more every week, but our grocery bill is getting less. We are quickly running out of room.

Today at Lowes, I bought a Rubbermaid over the door pantry unit, that was on clearance for $8.74! Regular price was $32.99. I also bought a wrap/bag organizer for $8.99 (also on clearance, but it was only half off). Much better made then the one’s Target and Walmart sell.

]]> By: summer http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272221 summer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:15:57 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272221 have kids share rooms, it can be done and they make so many more memories that way! have kids share rooms, it can be done and they make so many more memories that way!

]]> By: Janeen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272220 Janeen Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:11:33 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272220 I definitely know the frustrations of living in a small apartment. There are 3 of us and it feels as though we can't fit here much longer. This has led us to be VERY creative when it comes to finding space. I would suggest being very organized. When things are organized it looks like less of a mess! Everything needs to have a place and be put back into that place continually. It helps if you and your husband can be on the same page about it too! I definitely know the frustrations of living in a small apartment. There are 3 of us and it feels as though we can’t fit here much longer. This has led us to be VERY creative when it comes to finding space. I would suggest being very organized. When things are organized it looks like less of a mess! Everything needs to have a place and be put back into that place continually. It helps if you and your husband can be on the same page about it too!

]]> By: J-Mom http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272219 J-Mom Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:06:49 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272219 I'm with you, Amy! I have yet to understand the need for a gigantic, bigger-than-my house master bedroom. :) We lived in 3 different apts.the first 4 years we were married. The thing I liked best was that I could have the entire thing completely spotless in one afternoon. Now that I have a small home and 3 kids, that's something I can only dream of...as soon as I've cleaned up one mess, they've made another. I've long since given up! lol I’m with you, Amy! I have yet to understand the need for a gigantic, bigger-than-my house master bedroom. :)

We lived in 3 different apts.the first 4 years we were married. The thing I liked best was that I could have the entire thing completely spotless in one afternoon. Now that I have a small home and 3 kids, that’s something I can only dream of…as soon as I’ve cleaned up one mess, they’ve made another. I’ve long since given up! lol

]]> By: Cherise http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html/comment-page-1#comment-272218 Cherise Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:24:26 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/10/guest-post-livi.html#comment-272218 Make it a sanctuary!! Make it a sanctuary!!

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