Now you managed to pass all job interviews and got hired. Congratulations! And now the real challenge begins, because adulthood is mostly about paying for stuff invisible to the eye.
And yes, it is highly advisable not to skip on getting renter’s insurance. Don’t trust me, go and check. The cost of insurance is cheaper than streaming services, typically $15-30 per month depending on the place you live in. It literally covers your ass in case anything gets either stolen or flooded by the neighbor from the first floor.
Quote your rates with Lemonade or Geico and bundle it if you already have auto insurance. Be sure to get “replacement cost” coverage rather than “actual cash value”. Otherwise, you will get just five dollars for destroying four-year-old iPad worth thousand bucks. This is one of the hells I’m afraid of.
When it comes to utilities, some arithmetic is required. You will have to pay for electricity, gas, internet, probably for water supply and trash pickup. Some of these might be paid by landlord, but you need to figure it out yourself while re-reading the lease contract.
Ask about electricity and gas at the leasing office. In Texas or Ohio there could be competitive providers and you can find the better deal on websites like Power to Choose. If you are unlucky enough to encounter the monopoly like Duke Energy or ConEdison, just sign up for autopay and stop thinking about price per kilowatt hour.
Internet is the non-negotiable utility for any remote worker. Just visit the website of Xfinity, Verizon Fios or AT&T Fiber depending on who owns the wires in your building. Try not to rent their router because buying standard Netgear Nighthawk would cost you a fortune less in ten months.
This is the main principle of dealing with utilities. Firstly, sum up the fixed costs, such as your internet and insurance, since they will always be the same. Calculate average for the last three months for electric and gas bills or search for “average monthly cost” depending on your square footage on the internet and add 15% buffer to it.
Put this number in your separate checking account or “digital envelope” as was mentioned previously. And automation is your savior here – schedule the automatic transfer for the day after payday.
Try not to be that roommate who sees thermostat as a mere suggestion. Setting AC at sixty-two degrees in August will make your electric bill cry. Set up the temperature range with other roommates before renting or prepare to the sticky notes war on the fridge.
In case of some financial troubles – which are inevitable once a year – you need to call the company providing the services. They usually have the deferred payment plans and special assistance programs not advertised. Have the guts to call them because late fee is literally the money burnt for nothing.