👃Smells like teen spirit (but make it adult)

You need some "smell good" for your body and home

Author

My First Move
July 27, 2024

Happy Saturday Roomies!

Welcome to this week's crash course in "How to Adult: Apartment Edition."

If you're reading this, congrats! You've either scored your first place or you're plotting your escape from your parents' basement. Either way, we've got your back.

In today’s email:

  • Apartment Essentials: Make your place smell like a million bucks (even if your bank account says otherwise)

  • Apartment Hunting 2.0: Meet your new BFF in the search for the perfect pad

  • Kitchen & Bathroom: What not to stash in that moisture paradise

  • Rent Report: The latest scoop on prices, protections, and perks

Pick of the week: Pay respects to James Gandolfini and the role he'll be remembered for longer than your first lease with this Tony Soprano Pillar Candle.

Apartment Essentials

Your home isn't just a reflection of your personality.

It's also a walking, talking, smelling mood board. And nobody wants to walk into an apartment that smells like a week-old Chipotle order and a stray cat's litter box had a baby.

It's like inviting your worst enemies over for a slumber party.

So we did a crash course in odor elimination. It's like the "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" of home fragrance.

You know how in that movie, Kate Hudson had to do a bunch of crazy stuff to break up with Matt McConaughey? Well, this is how to break up with your bad smells.

Here's the lowdown:

  • Trash talk: Taking out the trash isn't just for roommates. It's a scent-sational move. And hey, while you're at it, maybe invest in a trash can that doesn't announce its presence from across the room.

  • Clean it up, buttercup: Regular cleaning isn't just for your mom. It's for your nose, too. Imagine your house as a pop star – it needs a little rehab every now and then to stay fresh and relevant.

  • Candle magic: No one wants to deal with wax drippings and house fires. Candle warmers are the low-maintenance, less dramatic option.

  • Vinegar for the win: This kitchen staple is the superhero of odor removal. It's like Tony Stark, but for your sink.

  • Splurge or surge: High-end room sprays are like designer clothes for your home. They might cost a pretty penny, but they'll make your place smell like a million bucks.

  • Exhausting but essential: Your exhaust fan is the bouncer of your kitchen smell. Use it to keep the “cool” air flowing and your boiled broccoli smell out.

  • Open window therapy: Fresh air is like therapy for your home. It's free, it's effective, and it's as refreshing as a cold glass of water on a hot day.

  • Couch potato problems: Your couch might be comfy, but it's also a dust and odor magnet. Vacuum it every once in a while and drop some essential oils to enhance your movie nights with that special someone.

Whether a 2-bed or studio, rental prices are higher than ever.

If you're moving to live on your own for the first time or want to get a new place before the year ends, your search has to start now.

The Apartment Search Assistant helps you to compare apartments and prioritize the things that matter most to you.

What’s inside:

  • Add apartment viewings to your calendar

  • Track recent visits, favorites, and new listings

  • Record application fees, lease length, pros & cons

  • Questions to ask the landlord to uncover red flags

Kitchen & Bathroom

That under-sink space is basically a party zone for moisture, mold, and all things that can ruin your stuff. Imagine your paper towels turning into soggy tissues - not exactly ideal.

So, what can't you store under the sink?

  • Danger zone chemicals: Bleach and other cleaning supplies? Yeah, find a cool, dry spot, maybe a high shelf!

  • Paper products: Your paper towels dream of being fluffy and absorbent, not turning into a science experiment gone wrong.

  • Pet food: Don't let your furry friend become a science experiment either! Those harsh chemicals under the sink can contaminate their food. Airtight containers are your best bet here.

  • Small appliances: Electronics and moisture don't get along, so find them a new home on the counter or a rolling cart to keep them together.

Basically, think of your under-sink cabinet as a storage unit for things that wouldn't mind getting a little damp and dusty.

1-Minute Apartment Need to Knows

🔎Research is Key: Before signing a lease, thoroughly research the location you may move to. Understand the average rent prices, available amenities, and what’s going on in the neighborhood.

đŸ—șConsider Location: While affordability is important, consider factors like proximity to work, schools, and public transportation.

📑Read the Lease Carefully: Understand the terms and conditions of your lease agreement, including rent increases, pet policies, and maintenance responsibilities.

💰Budget Wisely: Create a realistic budget that includes rent, utilities, and other living expenses. Consider potential rent increases when planning your finances.

Before we part ways, here's your homework:

  1. Sniff test your apartment. You're on the right track if it doesn’t smell like anything!

  2. Start your apartment hunt checklist. Pro tip: "Close to pizza" is a valid criterion.

  3. Light up that Tony Soprano candle and manifest some badass boss energy for your pad.

Do you have questions about security deposits or roommate etiquette? Drop us a line! Until next time, may your rent be low, your ceilings be high, and your neighbors' music taste be impeccable.

If you found this email more useful than your last Tinder date, why not share the love? Please forward it to a friend who's still trying to figure out how often to change their sheets.

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