Saving Money

Moving in the winter is often an unattractive prospect to those who live in climates where temperatures drop and snow and ice coat the roads. However, when it comes to saving money, winter is the best time to pack up and move.

Less Competition for Moving Companies

While everyone else is too cold to try moving in winter, you’ll have less competition when it comes to booking moving companies’ assistance. You’ll need to give less advanced notice and may be able to…

Taking the time to winter proof your apartment can lower your heating bill, keep you warmer and make the cold months more comfortable. A few easy tasks can help keep cold air out of your apartment and the warm air in.

Put Plastic Film on the Windows

Putting plastic film over your windows can help winter proof the apartment by trapping warm air from escaping through one of the places it’s most likely to escape, the glass in your windows. Window insulation…

Taking the time to insulate your apartment for the winter will lower your heating bill because your furnace won’t have to work as hard to keep your apartment heated. You’ll also feel more comfortable in a warm apartment, in which cold air has a harder time coming in and warm air is trapped inside.

Talk to the Landlord about Weatherstripping/Caulking

Small cracks as little as one-eighth of an inch between your apartment walls and the outdoors can allow cold air from the…

If utilities are not included with your rent, you may find your heating bill to be higher than you’d like during the colder months of the year. Running a furnace—both gas- and electricity-powered—is one of the most expensive utilities you’ll have. In order to lower your monthly bill without freezing in your apartment, try the following:

Lower Your Thermostat a Few Degrees

You’ll still need heat in your apartment during the winter and cold parts of autumn and spring. However, just turning…

At your lease renewal time, you should try to negotiate with your landlord for lower rent, new appliances or other benefits. Merely singing your lease without negotiating may result in your not receiving the best lease terms possible.

Make it Clear You Want to Negotiate

When you sit down to speak with your landlord, make it clear that you are there to negotiate. Tell him that you like the apartment and his operation of the premises, but that you have done some…