Living on your own can be a freeing experience, but it also comes with more bills and headaches. Instead of splitting the bill with a roommate or living rent free with your parents, everything is on you now. Instead of rushing to make your new home, condo or apartment the cat’s meow, it’s important to pace yourself and develop eco-friendly habits so your new adventure isn’t a horribly expensive one. So where do you start?
- Installing a programmable thermostat is a great start, because you can control exactly how cold or warm you want it. When you’re sleeping, you can turn the thermostat down and save on energy, and during the summertime, you can turn off the air conditioning while you’re at work.
- Older models of dishwashers can use quite a bit of water, but if you only have dishes for one, there is no sense of running it every day. Instead you can limit your dishwasher usage to once or twice a week or opt to wash your dishes by hand.
- Another way to save money is to ensure that you don’t have any leaks. Your toilets, faucets, windows and doors should be tightly sealed so water or air is not getting out when it’s not supposed to. Those drips of water add up, and if you’re running your air or heat, you don’t want it going outside.
- Add antique or used furniture to build your décor. Not only is this cheaper, but you will be reusing items and have a more eclectic atmosphere to enjoy. Perusing garage sales is a great way to find amazing treasures, and if you’re handy, you can make those quick fixes that bring furniture back to life. Although it’s natural to want all new accessories for your home, it’s not wallet friendly. When you do need to invest in new items, choose efficient appliances that are functional, durable and energy saving.
Living on your own gives you the independence you need, but you can cut costs in other areas to ensure that you make your rent or mortgage on time and have money leftover for other necessities and incidentals.
Marina Hanes has a B.A. in Professional Writing and Editing from Youngstown State University. She is a vegetarian and is passionate about environmental issues and animal rights.
