1. Take a Close Look at Your Bank Account

Before you can determine how much you are able to spend on your monthly rent, you first need to take some time looking through every detail in your bank account. A relatively easy way to see what you are working with is to determine your monthly income, subtract the monthly expenses that you already have, and put away a little extra each month for your savings. Make sure you account for necessary expenses such as your car payment, gas, insurance, and groceries.

2. Figure Out Your Living Expenses

Now that you have figured out how much you can potentially put towards an apartment each month, it’s time to start checking out your options. As you are touring apartments and learning about what each community entails, make notes so that you can begin calculating your living expenses. What else will you have to pay each month in addition to your rent? Are utilities included in your rent? How much will cable and internet cost? How much is renter’s insurance? Are there any additional fees for things such as pets, parking, storage, garbage pickup, etc.?

3. Evaluate Your Living Situation

Once you have determined costs for everything, now you can really start to hone in on all the details for your first apartment. Maybe you will have to compromise on location in order to afford the rent. Maybe you will need to get a roommate to live in your ideal apartment community. Maybe you will need to make some other sacrifices to get an apartment that you are happy with. Just remember – you don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you are apartment poor. It’s fine to spend a little more on rent if that’s what you really want, but you want to have some funds available to still enjoy your life.

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1. Keep It Clean

Cleanliness at the pool means different things to different people, but try to keep things clean. First, keep your stuff organized and your trash picked up. Then, make sure you keep your language and behavior family-friendly. This is not the time to practice your most risqué forms of communication, because chances are other residents may be enjoying the pool with their kids in tow.

Cleanliness can also refer to you, personally. Consider showering or rinsing off before jumping in to remove beauty products and oil from your skin. Finally, make sure your dress is appropriate for community swimming. This may not be the right place for that Speedo or barely-there suit!

2. Keep It Quiet

Yes, pool play is noisy, but make sure you are being conscientious about the community around you. Leave your loud music at home, and enjoy your play with a normal level of volume. This isn't the time to have a competition to see who can be the loudest.

3. Share the Space

A community pool is for everyone. This means that the pool, the seating and the areas around the pool are communal. Don't stake out a claim to a large area and refuse to share. Remember that the space is a shared one, and you need to be willing to share.

4. Watch the Kids

A pool is a place where kids like to congregative, but make sure you keep an eye on them. Most apartment community pools do not have a lifeguard on duty, and even if they do, it's still your job as a parent to know where your kids are and how they are playing. It only takes a few moments for a tragedy to occur when water is involved. Also, make sure your children are not intruding on the activities of others who may wish to relax poolside.

Remember, your community pool is a community amenity, and you aren't the only one who wants to enjoy it. By practicing these rules of etiquette, you can keep it a place that everyone will be able to enjoy fully!

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1) Keep a Seasonal Closet

Even with spacious walk-in closets in many modern apartments like Millis and Main, closet space is limited no matter where you live. Why take up that valuable space with bulky winter clothing in the middle of summer? Pack away your parka when warmer weather hits and send it to storage.

2) Build Storage Up

If your apartment has tall ceilings, utilize that space for storage. Add shelves or bookcases that reach to the ceiling, so you can maximize every spare inch of your storage area. The more things you can take off the floor and put up on the shelves, the more space you will free up in your apartment.

3) Utilize Hidden Storage

Are you making the most out of your storage options? Clean out under your bed, for example, and utilize this space for storage. Ditch one of your living room chairs in favor of a storage ottoman. Store tall items behind the couch between the wall and the back of the couch. The more hidden storage areas you find and utilize, the better your overall organization will feel.

4) Hang Bathroom Clutter

Find creative hanging options for the items you store in your bathroom. Hanging mesh storage pockets over the back of the bathroom door creates instant space for toiletries. You can even use over-the-door shoe racks for this type of storage. Use baskets and shelving above the toilet to store towels and washcloths, and hang a storage caddy over your showerhead.

5) Create a Catch-All Area

Finally, create an area in your home that can serve as a catch all. Whether it's a basket by the entryway or a shelf on the coffee table, this is the spot where the car keys, remotes and other random odds and ends are collected. By having a spot for this type of clutter, and addressing it regularly, you can avoid unwanted piles.

Staying organized is essential in apartment living. In 2018, embrace these tips to keep your Millis and Main apartment clean and clutter free!

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