Budgeting
Rent concessions made easy: How to score great deals on apartments
Finding a rental apartment that checks all your boxes — price, location, amenities, and overall vibe — can feel like…
What is RUBS utility billing?
Have you ever looked at an apartment listing and noticed the words “utilities billed through RUBS” or “RUBS system applies”?…
The great roommate sacrifice: 6 ways to divide rent (and Halloween candy) fairly
In every shared rental apartment, there’s at least one terrifying topic that can send chills down a renter’s spine. No, it’s…
How to save on utility bills while doing housework
If you’re looking for practical ways to lower your monthly expenses, learning how to save on utility bills is a…
The Lowdown on the Application Fee: What It Is & Why It Exists
If you’ve ever dipped your toes into the bustling pool of apartment-hunting, chances are that you’ve encountered a little something…
How to Score a Great Deal on a Rental in the Big City Jungle
The big city is where dreams are made, traffic never sleeps and rent prices can make your wallet cry a…
Mission impossible revisited: What $500 rent got you in 2025 vs. 2020
Renting in some of the nation’s most sought-after cities often means paying top dollar. But if you’re not set on…
Renting with Student Loans: How to Manage Debt and Find an Affordable Apartment
Student loans are the financial equivalent of a weighted backpack that follows you long after graduation. Whether you majored in…
A Guide to Securing Your Security Deposit Refund
Ah, security deposits — the pot of gold at the end of your renting rainbow! Or at least, that’s the…
How to Best Negotiate Lease Terms as a Renter With Kids
Finding the perfect nest for your family is a journey filled with open house visits, neighborhood research, and countless discussions…
Can I Use My Security Deposit for Rent?
Security deposits are common when living in a rental apartment, but many renters wonder if they can use their security…
Everything Renters Need to Know About Rental Application Fees
If you’re deep into your apartment search journey, you’ve probably noticed that landlords and property managers require a fee when…
The nitty-gritty of paying the fair amount: Prorated rent explained
After spending days, weeks, or even months looking, you’ve finally found a rental apartment or house that fits your needs…
What’s Actually Flexible When Negotiating Rent and Fees?
When it comes to renting an apartment, negotiations can extend far beyond just the monthly payment. From pet fees to…
The Hidden Costs of Renting an Apartment: What You Need to Know Before Signing a Lease
Renting an apartment is the preferred housing choice for millions of Americans, with Gen Z leading the way as the…
How to Negotiate Rent: Simple Tips and Effective Strategies
Renting a home can strain your budget, but negotiating rent is a possibility many renters overlook. While not every landlord…
How to Save on Utilities: A Renter’s Guide to Cutting Costs
As a renter, you might think you have little control over your utility bills. After all, you don’t own the…
10 Tips for Gen Z Renters Seeking Affordable Apartments
As Gen Z steps confidently into adulthood, they’re really shaking things up in the rental market. This cohort, known for…
The Pros and Cons of Paying Your Rent With a Credit Card
Over the past decade, the number of consumers using credit cards to pay rent has increased. Usage spiked during the…
How Not to Lose Your Deposit – The Superhero Edition
It’s all fun and games until you lose your security deposit. These superheroes learned that the hard way when they…
5 Ways to Lower Energy Costs in Your Rental
When you don’t own your home, it can feel like it’s impossible to lower your energy costs. A lot of…
3 Tax Tips for Renters That Can Put Cash Back in Your Pocket
Article written by Logan Allec, a CPA and owner of the personal finance blog Money Done Right. You probably hear…