Leaving the nest!

[Alfie]

So, it's official! I'm moving out! I applied for a place on Tuesday, and had a phonecall Wednesday (yesterday) morning saying that I was successful. I was the only person (out of 6ish people viewing the place) who applied on the day. All the other people took application forms.

I will now live in a 1 bedroom unit, that has a pinkish kitchen, and the shower requires shower curtains. I know that's a really bad description of the place, but the unit was so messy that I can hardly remember much about it.

The current tenant had so much junk everywhere. The clutter was taking up the unit, so I'm just hoping that it turns out to be really nice when it's empty. It seemed fairly small too, but that may be because it had 2 sofas in the living room part of the unit. I'm going to try to furnish it so that it's very light and airy.

I have lots of worries, but there is no point going into them, as they would the the same things that everyone else goes through when moving out for the first time.

I am really excited though, but does anyone have any advice for me when moving out on my own?

[Aethian]

YES! I do...one get a bill organizer that seperates out things on their due date and make sure to make a card for rent due. (I know some places allow you to pay ahead so if you can thats great. Not only will things get paid on time but might get paid early and you won't be going through what I'm going through right now.

ALSO try and find reusable grocery bags as some stores give back 2-5cents for using them AND you won't have multi plastic/paper bags piling up on you.

AND just caust I'm a LC, make sure you turn in a change of address card filled out with the correct apartment number and when you get (power, cable, telephone, ect...) bills make sure that the person on the other end knows about the apartment number.

[myswtghst]

Congratulations, and good luck!

The biggest advice I can give is to get stuff together that you'll need - my mom helped me gather up a carrier of cleaning supplies (including Clorox wipes, dust cloths, and a broom/dustpan set), a basket of tools (including a hammer, nails, screwdrivers, etc) and a bunch of paper goods - toilet paper, paper towels and napkins, for sure. Try to spend some time thinking about the little things you're not used to having to buy for yourself - I was constantly forgetting stuff like TP and Kleenex when I first moved out. :o

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions! And again, Congrats! :D

[the_std]

Yeah, it's the little things that'll getcha. A little hand vacuum can work wonders, and cleaning supplies are things that you never really think about... But it turns out they don't just materialize in the bathroom cupboard! Who knew?

I find picking up the little messes and basically tidying as you go helps to keep the mess down, because it's really easy to revert to "junkpile central" when you're living on your own. Just avoid that trap and your life will be much simpler.

Have lots of fun! Mucho congrats!

[BookstoreEscapee]

:grats:


My advice is try not to worry too much :)
Get a fun shower curtain. It makes you smile when you get up for work.
Get a recycle bin or trash can for paper and sort your mail over it. Keeps the junk mail from piling up.
For bill paying, find a system that works for you. The sort by due date system can be good. Personally I pay bills pretty much as soon as I get them, that way I can't forget about them. That can depend on your financial situation, though. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, it might not work so well, but if you have enough of a cushion in your account it can. My roommate and I keep one of those multi-pocket file folders in the dining room; it contains the lease, and we file the shared bills in there after they get paid, so if either of us needs to get to them for some reason, we both know where they are (the electric is in my name, and the cable/internet/phone is in hers; we figure out what we each owe and I pay her back the difference, since the electric is about 1/3 of the other).

[Alfie]

I forgot to tell you all, I bought the most funny looking cookie jar at a thrift shop the day I found out. When I move in, I will take a photo of it and upload it on here. I love it! Every time I see it it makes me giggle.

I'll have to get great showercurtains too. I wonder where I can find funny ones.

I'm ok with the cleaning supplies, sort of looking forward to it (yup, I'm sad), my partner's brother works at a hardware warehouse where they sell all that stuff, so I will buy it all there so that I can get his discount.

So excited! I keep buying pointless stuff too, I bought 2 candle holders today, and some coasters. I don't have a chopping board, I don't have a teapot, I don't have anything else except for awesome but useless stuff. But I still have time.

Thanks for everyone's support!

[Shangri-laschild]

Make sure to pack what you can ahead of time and when you pack, organize. My friend moved in to a new place and her husband who wasn't coming up yet had packed everything. We found the PS2. Then we had to search through all the other boxes to find the controllers. It would have been even better if he had actually sent the cords too though :D

Coming up to moving in getting as many small things you need possible. I'm not moving out of a bit but I have been slowly amassing what I need and sticking it in a storage shed.

Have fun with your place. Get as many silly things that will constantly make you smile as possible.

Do the walkthrough where you write down any defects right away and if possible, with someone from the apartment complex there with you. Test every little thing. Do all the outlets work? How about the faucets? Are there huge gaping holes anywhere? Make sure you are as OCD about inspecting as possible.

Congrats on moving out. From your posts about trouble with your mom, this will really help your mood and hopefully actually improve your relationship with her or at least make it so it's not as strained.

If you can move the essentials in one day and get those unpacked and then the next day move everything else in, it's nice but if not, then having the essential stuff all packed together is nice because then you can leave the other boxes for the next day.

Reiterate the person who said get something to keep your bills straight. If you can get a filing cabinet cheap that's best, but one of those plastic boxes that holds file folders works too. Use it.

But above all, have fun and enjoy yourself.

[Saydrah]

Did someone say fun shower curtain?

http://www.mcphee.com/categories/list.html

http://www.mcphee.com/items/11137.html

http://www.mcphee.com/items/11146.html

[Der Cute]

Go the the grocery store and ask for apple boxes.
They have a lid and a bottom, and have holes in the ends to carry them.

If those are not available, ask for boxes there and at your convenience store. They ALWAYS have boxes.

Label the boxes on the skinny end not just the wide side.

If you're putting clothes in - ask yourself if you've worn it in the last year. If not - donate it.

Never give away knives or microwaves - it's a PITA to live without these!

You need to have at minimum:
Pots & Pans
Microwave
Cleaning supplies (bleach, vinegar, ammonia, mop, bucket, rags, dish soap, sponge)
Salt & Pepper


go look around at a thrift store for pots pans blankets and small appliances.

Spices are expensive - either grow them yourself in small pots or gradually build the spices up in your kitchen.

Before you go, start looking around in Mum's kitchen, and the bathrooms for things you'll need - not to take but to make a list to get later.

Cutenoob

[RetailWorkhorse]

You need to have at minimum:
Pots & Pans
Microwave
Cleaning supplies (bleach, vinegar, ammonia, mop, bucket, rags, dish soap, sponge)
Salt & Pepper
Cutenoob

Also; as fun as it is to just use paper plates/bowls/cups, there are some things that will not stand up to making a bowl of really hot ramen. Go to Dollar Tree or Dollar General, or heck even Wally World, and pick up at LEAST 2 plain bowls big enough for your soup/cereal/can-of-skettii-os.

If You Have No Oven:
You will also probably want a Toaster Oven to cook personal pan pizzas (or anything that you rather like baked, like, say COOKIES~!) in if you don't like them done in the microwave.

I recieved from a former boss a set of funky flatware when she redid her kitchen (Green handles didn't "match her new kitchen" so she got herself a new set of silver...how cracked it that? :rolleyes: ).

It's okay if nothing matches. It's your first place, nothing should match anything except for your style! :D

Don't forget to stack your books in bookcases because once you stack them on the floor they will never leave.....trust me, I'm fighting for my floor back from my mass of books. On the plus side; it does hide my 40 year old carpet pretty well...... :lol:

[Saydrah]

Okay, Saydrah's LONG "Learn From My Mistakes" Moving Out For the First Time Guide:

Mentally go through your new place room by room and figure out what you absolutely need. My list of necessities includes the following:

Bathroom:

__ Bathroom Tissue
__ Shower Curtain
__ Wastebasket
__ Bath Mat
__ 3 Towels
__ 3 Washcloths
__ Shampoo
__ Conditioner
__ Soap
__ Soap Dish
__ Body Wash
__ Face Wash
__ Loofah
__ Toilet Plunger
__ Mop/Swiffer
__ Shower Cleaner
__ Floor Cleaner
__ Mirror Cleaner
__ Bleach
__ Sponges
__ Hairbrush
__ Tooth Brush
__ Tooth Brush Holder
__ Tooth Paste
__ Cotton Balls
__ Neosporin
__ Hydrogen Peroxide
__ Feminine Products

If you do laundry every week and shower every other day (better for your hair) or reuse towels one time each, 3 towels is plenty- same thing with 3 washcloths, just reuse, cut down on wasting water and time spent doing laundry.

Do NOT forget to buy a plunger. 2 AM is a bad time to be asking someone at Walmart where the plungers are. It is really embarrassing.

Get toilet paper in the biggest package possible unless the smaller packages are seriously discounted- it is usually a savings of 33% or more, and you WILL use it, barring an unexpected colostomy.

I like organic cleaning products. Costco has an orange scented one that is like Scrubbing Bubbles and very affordable.

Don't get a Swiffer too big to fit the head behind the toilet. EWW manual scrubbing back there EWW.

You might want a hanging caddy of some sort for your toiletries if you have a bunch of them, especially if you're not big on cleaning the shower every couple of days. That lets them dry and keeps mold away from the corners where you would normally set them on the side of your tub.

Get the kind of soap dish that has a top part with slits in it and a bottom dish to catch the water. It keeps your soap from getting groady. And, when the soap is down to unusable slivers, keep those in a plastic bag and throw the bag in your closet or dresser when it has a fair amount of soap in it- soap shards work like mothballs.

Living Room

__ Something to sit on
__ TV Trays
__ Reading Lamp
__ Something to put the lamp on
__ Curtains
__ Vacuum Cleaner
__ Carpet Stain Remover
__ White Rice Vinegar (to clean walls)


You can sit on sturdy boxes or milk crates until you have more spending money and time to shop around if you don't already have a couple chairs or a couch to take with you.

Same thing with something to put your reading lamp on.

Freecycle and Craigslist have lots of free/cheap furniture, but sanitize it before using. Leave it in sunlight for a few hours, spray with Lysol, and use a steam cleaner with upholstery attachment to thoroughly clean it. Then voila- like-new couch!

If you invest in one brand-new appliance for the move, make it the vacuum cleaner. Get one with a HEPA filter. If you can get one from a family member or at a yard sale that works, great, but this is probably the most important cleaning appliance to keep in working order, and one of the most difficult to replace parts for if it's an older model. It will keep things looking nice and allergens out of your breathing air- so if you gotta buy one new, make it a decent one.

If you have room for a table, great; but TV trays are fine for eating on and studying/writing/reading if the living room is small, and you can fold them up and put them away when you're done.

Add your own entertainment choices-- TV, bookshelf, video games, computer, whatever.

Bedroom:

__ Bed
__ 2 Changes of Sheets
__ 2 Changes of Pillowcases
__ Pillows
__ Alarm Clock
__ Bedside Lamp
__ Something to put the clock and lamp on
__ Dresser
__ Clothes
__ Clothes Hamper
__ Clothes Hangers
__ Wastebasket
__ Kleenex
__ Curtains
__ Desk
__ Computer


You might want one of those shoe organizers that hang on the closet door, too.

Get an alarm clock that plugs in and has battery backup. The power going out = no alarm thing sucks.

Keep stressful things out of the bedroom if you have sleep problems- I like my computer in my bedroom, but if you get insomnia, put it in the living room. Bedroom is for sleep.

Kitchen

__ Microwave
__ Measuring Cups
__ Can Opener
__ Spatula
__ Pots and Pans
__ Silverware
__ Plates
__ Bowls
__ Cups
__ Dish Towels
__ Dish Soap
__ Lysol Wipes/Spray
__ Paper Towels
__ Sponges
__ Scrubby Brush
__ Toaster
__ Knives
__ Knife Sharpener
__ Cutting Board
__ Sandwich Baggies
__ Cupboard Liner
__ Baking Soda
__ Vinegar + Peroxide
__ Salt + Pepper
__ Refrigerator Magnets
__ Cookie Sheet
__ Baking Pan
__ Tea Kettle
__ Trash Can
__ Cartons/Tupperware


Get the book "101 Things to Do with Ramen." It is very handy.

Use baking soda for most kitchen cleaning- walls, fridge, etc.

If you spend money on one new thing, make it a small set of nice knives. Few things suck more than cooking with dull knives.

Use the magnets to stick to-do lists, coupons, bills, etc., to the fridge where if you want to eat you can't just not see them.

Thrift stores often have microwaves and toasters- same with Freecycle and Craigslist.

Save yogurt cartons (from the larger size of yogurt not single-serve ones) to take lunches to work in.

Don't get a LOT of dishes. Get a few that you like using, but not so many that you leave dish washing until the sink is piled to the ceiling.

Keep your stove burners clean. Wipe them after every use.

Miscellaneous

__ Pens + Pencils
__ Stamps + Envelopes
__ Scissors
__ Paper
__ Spare Lightbulbs
__ Tylenol
__ Tape
__ Phone
__ Matches
__ Candles
__ Emergency Phone Numbers
__ Filing Cabinet
__ Calendar
__ Feather Duster/Swiffer Duster
__ Laundry Soap

Before You Move:

Make sure utilities have been activated and placed in your name.

File a change of address form.

Subscribe to the Sunday paper- you'll need the coupons.

Check pricing on renter's insurance. Seriously consider it. You do not want to be the person in the newspaper headline that says "Apartment fire, tenant loses everything."

Change your address with health insurance, car insurance, etc.- anything you can get a fraud charge for not notifying of a change of address.

Arrange for trash service (if that's your responsibility).

Call the local police department and ask about the safety of the area-- what crimes are most common, what should you watch out for?

Get internet service connected.

Consider putting in all energy-efficient long lasting fluorescent lightbulbs. The savings isn't huge in the short term, but they are so long lasting that you will save on energy costs and on replacing bulbs.

Pennske lets you rent a moving truck at 18- if you need a truck, look into it, and get a friend to teach you how to drive a hefty vehicle.

Packing:

Get three boxes. Label one Trash, one Charity, and one Pack. Put everything you own into one of the three, and dispose of Trash and donate Charity. Pack everything else.

Ask neighbors to save newspapers for you for a couple of days to wrap breakables in.

Get boxes from grocery/convenience/liquor stores.

Load the things you'll need first, last, so you unload them first.

Get a couple people to help you move heavy things, and promise food and booze in return.

You don't have to move everything at once if your parents don't mind you using your old room for storage temporarily- move necessities first.

Shopping:

Clip coupons. Religiously. Keep them in your car so you don't stop somewhere on the way home and then realize you don't have a coupon.

Watch the sale ads each week and make a shopping list based on that. Rarely, if ever, buy something not on sale.

Resist the temptation to just shop as-needed- make one big trip each week, and only go back mid-week if absolutely necessary. That way it's far easier to keep to a budget.

Speaking of which, HAVE a budget, and stick to it- and budget an amount in for savings, too.

Cook a huge amount of food once a week and freeze single portions in cartons or freezer bags. Voila: Homemade frozen lunches to take to work.

If you drink soda or bottled water, now's a perfect time to quit. Tap water is available right in your own kitchen sink, and you'll save enough money each month to take yourself to a fairly nice lunch if you so desire.

Don't eat out or get takeout or delivery more than a couple times a month. If you are a pizza junkie, get the take and bake kind or make your own, and only order delivery if you have a really good coupon.

Get a Costco membership, but only buy things that you really DO need that much of.

Take a multi-vitamin every day. Eating on a budget is hard enough, as is adjusting to living alone. You're not likely to make a complete diet for yourself at first. Most people don't start eating a really complete diet until they're feeding kids, if they even do then.

Beware smaller portions/higher prices. Things like putting tuna in a pouch instead of a can or selling pre-grated cheese reduce the amount of food you get for the price and replace it with a few seconds of convenience. Get the larger, less convenient version and save the money.

Keep your stamps in your checkbook- the only time most people need stamps is when paying bills.

Pay all your bills on time.

Get a credit card with a low limit and no annual fee, and buy your groceries with it; but ONLY the amount of groceries that fits comfortably in your budget. No time like the present to start building your credit score.

Get online banking, and check your account every single day. Identity theft is easy to stop if it's caught earlier, and it keeps you faithful to your budget.

File all of your bills and paycheck stubs neatly in a file cabinet, along with any other important documents. Go through it every 6 months and shred what you don't think you'll need later, but don't throw bills out until receipt of payment has been acknowledged in some way.

Turn lights off that you're not using.

Keep a small notebook in your purse, and note all expenditures, whether cash, credit, debit, or check. Again, it keeps you faithful to your budget.

Don't be afraid of yard sales, Craigslist, and Freecycle. Not everything needs to be bought new.

Print this post out and use the checklists to pack, if you like.

[BookstoreEscapee]

So excited! I keep buying pointless stuff too, I bought 2 candle holders today, and some coasters. I don't have a chopping board, I don't have a teapot, I don't have anything else except for awesome but useless stuff. But I still have time.

That's the fun part! Reality will strike soon enough ... Just don't spend your rent money... :p

Target has some fun (don't know about funny, but fun) shower curtains; I've had to refrain a couple times from buying one that they've had on an endcap display because I really don't need a shower curtain (though the one I have was a hand me down from my mom); I did get a couple cute hand towels though just for fun. (Don't know if Target is in Australia, though.)

Some inspiration for you:
go fish (http://www.target.com/Frog-Cotton-Shower-Curtain/dp/B00074PIKQ/qid=1206664624/ref=br_1_1/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=16054501&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1)

beach day (http://www.target.com/Flip-Flop-Shower-Curtain/dp/B000BPWY5I/qid=1206664747/ref=br_1_9/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=316797011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1) with matching hooks (http://www.target.com/Flip-Flop-Shower-Hooks/dp/B000BPZSQ0/ref=sc_ri_1/602-9070873-6103064)

taking the SAT (http://www.target.com/Top-500-Words-Shower-Curtain/dp/B000UI8U68/qid=1206664844/ref=br_1_14/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=316797011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=316797011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2)? there's also Spanish vocabulary and others

Hello Kitty? (http://www.target.com/Hello-Shopper-Fabric-Shower-Curtain/dp/B000EMRL6U/qid=1206664924/ref=br_1_14/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=316797011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=316797011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=3)

Rubber Ducky (http://www.target.com/Metro-Duck-Shower-Curtain/dp/B000AD721M/qid=1206665047/ref=br_1_1/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=316797011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=316797011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=7), you're the one...You make bathtime lots of fun!

Travel the world (http://www.target.com/World-Map-Shower-Curtain/dp/B000P655MM/qid=1206665184/ref=br_1_13/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=370554011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1)!

You can be a princess (http://www.target.com/Princess-Castle-Shower-Curtain/dp/B00113LS2E/qid=1206665252/ref=br_1_13/602-9070873-6103064?ie=UTF8&node=370554011&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=370554011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=3)...

OK, that's enough...and after all that I didn't find the one I was looking at at the store...oh well...:D


Beware smaller portions/higher prices. Things like putting tuna in a pouch instehad of a can or selling pre-grated cheese reduce the amount of food you get for the price and replace it with a few seconds of convenience. Get the larger, less convenient version and save the money.

This is good advice, but make sure it's something that'll keep or that you will eat before it goes bad. Getting the big package and then throwing half of it out because it goes stale (or green :eek:) isn't saving any money. I've thrown out more stuff than I'd like to admit in the last few months, because I told myself I'd finish it and then didn't.

The coupons-in-the-car idea - GENIOUS!!! Why have I never thought of that? :doh:

[Saydrah]

The coupons-in-the-car idea - GENIOUS!!! Why have I never thought of that? :doh:

:roll: Not all of us can be blessed with a petite, matriarchal Jewish grandmother who rules the family with an iron fist. The stamps in your checkbook one is hers, too. Actually, all the shopping ones are her.

Grandma's Life Lessons:

1. Never buy makeup that doesn't come with a free gift.

2. If you can't get it on sale, don't get it. Never pay sticker price.

3. Coupons get clipped every Sunday before bed, and they go out to the car with you Monday. If you forget your coupons, you don't get to shop.

4. Thou shalt shop clearance the day after every holiday except for Thanksgiving- Black Friday is for people not smart enough to shop clearance the rest of the year, and it's a scam anyway.

5. Nobody has to know it's a 90% off clearance blouse you got for $3.00- it's the lady wearing it who counts, not the label.

6. Take all that money you saved and take a cruise!


I love my Mom-Mom. :D By the way, she's also a successful entrepreneur who started and operated a business long before it was acceptable for women to do so- and even less socially acceptable she started that business after getting fired for being pregnant, so she was running a business with a huge pregnant belly just after WWII! She doesn't NEED to save money anymore, but frugality is in her blood and she hands it down like she's handing on the elixir of life. Which, when times get tough, she is.

[Monica]

Also, make sure you have batteries of different sizes. Dollar stores are sometimes a good place to get them. TV remotes, and some other items require them. One tip I have is, if possible, put a small label on that item you have the batteries in. Mark on it when you changed the battery last. That way you will know if the batteries you got last a long time or not. If not, invest in some other kind. Or buy the rechargable kind and a recharger.

[BookstoreEscapee]

:roll: Not all of us can be blessed with a petite, matriarchal Jewish grandmother who rules the family with an iron fist. The stamps in your checkbook one is hers, too. Actually, all the shopping ones are her.

Dam my Irish/German/Sicilian Protestant forebears...:p (you'd think I'd be Catholic, wouldn't you...?)

I do keep stamps in my checkbook, though. And the March of Dimes people have finally found me at my new address so now I have plenty of address labels too :D

[iradney]

One of the first things you'll want to do is scrub out the place, especially since the previous tenant seems to be a hoarder. Bucket, old rags, bleach etc etc. It'll take a couple hours, but it's so worth it to know you're moving into a CLEAN place.

[Alfie]

Thanks for all the tips, I think I will print out that list when I go shopping for the bulk of the items.

We do have a Target here, but on it's very first page on the website it makes it clear that it isn't affilitated with the American Target. I'll have a look at our one anyway.

We don't do coupons in Australia, so I wont be able to use that tip. I will go through the junk mail though and check out what is on special every week.

I don't think that I will need to scrub out the unit because the previous tenant's work provides her with a cleaning service, so I expect for it to be perfect for me to move into. But I am happy to start scrubbing if need be.

Thanks again for the advice, I am starting to be more excited than scared now. I will keep the updates going though.

[daleduke17]

Do you have a major university nearby that provides student housing (or at least has nearby student housing)? If so, that is a great place to get some cheap, working equipment. When my wife and I first started getting stuff to move in together we found a couch sitting on the curb from a student apartment. No charge as it was going to the dumpster otherwise. Quick spray with some Febreeze and two new legs and it was good as new. Yeah, it had a couple cigarette burns, but, it looked good (it has moved on to another family now :p ).

Garage sales are another AWESOME place to get stuff as well.

[Slytovhand]

Hey Alfie.

Firstly - congrats!! (should I ask how old you are? It makes a bit of a difference, but only in as much as the way you see things in life).

So - you're up in Bris-vegas, aren't you? Where abouts??

Now - I've been living on my own for over a quarter of my life now, so I spose I might have a few ideas.

Firstly - TAKE PHOTOS WHEN YOU MOVE IN! When you do the condition report, report and check everything - and if it's things like stains and the like, get the photos. IF there are issues with things like the stove or lights/switches, get onto the real estate ASAP. And don't let them forget!!! Probably a good idea to get someone to go through with you who is really really picky and pedantic. You don't want to find something, and then when you move, get pegged for the repairs...

Are you on a lease? (I am presuming.. is it 6 or 12 months?) Is it direct to the owner, or real estate? Know your rights! So - if there is something important that needs to be fixed, get onto it. And don't be afraid to do the Notice forms. Even if they don't fix it (no matter how important it might be) don't hold back on the rent and use it as 'leverage'. It won't go down well. Much easier to make a fuss, and if push comes to shove, go RTA to get it done. (yes- I've been down that road - even took the agents and the owner to court - I won.....)

Find out about your local public transport (get the timetables from Bris Transport.. I forget the link...). It's a lot easier now, even if you have a car, than to waste valuable time later when you're running late and desperately need it.

Now - inside the place....

Pots, pans, utensils, cutlery, crockery. The last 2 are pretty easy for about $20-30 tops (for a nice practical set). And you can usually get the others pretty cheap too. If you're strapped for cash, obviously you'll find plenty at the op shops.

Don't forget to actually tell people your new address or phone. And also, make sure they have it straight who they don't pass your details onto!

IMPORTANT - it is YOUR home - not your friends'. Lay down the law (what ever it may be...) You want them to respect you, your stuff, and your home. After all (and let's face reality) - if they break something, and the friendship goes sour - you're the one left with the bill!

Find out what the neighbours are like... How much noise are you going to make? Are they working ridiculous hours (like I do) and are they gonna get pissed if you're partying (or revving engines) while they're trying to sleep. Remember - you can get evicted for excessive noise (nothing too loud after 10pm most nights - or is it 11 now??)

Naturally... bin nights!

If it's a house.. how are you doing the lawns? Unit... do all the hallway lights work?

Rent - direct debit? or cheque? (unlikely - but still..) Cash?? Probably a good idea to get every receipt if it's not a netbank - just in case.

At least 2 lots of sheets (they're cheap enough). Towels... Target have Eqyptian bath sheets.. go for them (umm - that is an essential, isn't it?? :P)

Phone and net?? Do you need gas as well?? Can you combine with mobile???

Umm - that's about it from me for now - as I'm pretty sure everyone else has covered the rest anyways...

Have fun :-DDDD


Slyt

[Geek King]

1) Seconding the photos. Borrow a digital camera and get clear photos of every room--floor, walls, and celing. From multiple angles, if you can. Print them out and keep them someplace safe, like say...

2) A small fire-proof document safe. Keep your lease agreement, insurance forms, Social Security card, and other documents in here. Stick it in a nice quiet closet and forget it. Until you need it. :p

3) More photos. Take photos of everything of any value in the apartment. If you get robbed, or lose stuff to a fire/flood/tornado they can be used to prove you had them at the time. Retake the photos at least once a year to update everything. Also get a list of make, model, and serial numbers for electronics. Trust me, you'll be glad you have them if you ever get robbed.

4) Know where your toilet paper is on move in day. Unpack it first thing out of the car/truck. Its a bad time to find out you can't find your TP when Mother Nature is beating your bowels with a brickbat.

5) Find out how old the carpet is when you move in. Every place I've lived in has tried to charge me for new carpet when I moved out--once when the carpet was over 12 years old! Many states only allow apartments to charge you for carpet if it is less than 4-6 years old. It varies from state to state, so check local listings. Also another good reason for pictures. *EDIT* Also, many state require that they pro-rate the cost for the age of the carpet. Know the law, cover your ass(ets).

6) If you can swing it, try to make sure the carpets are professionally cleaned, if they are not brand new. Most apartment complexes do this before you move in, but make sure. Keep in mind, it takes a couple of days to dry, depending on how they clean it.

7) If you are getting cable or satalite, find out what the owners will allow as far as installation. Many companies will require you to have permission from the owners in writing before they will install to rented property. Some apartments will have rules about where you can put satalite dishes on the property.

8) Measuring tape. You will find this to be really useful at times. An walking into a store with numbers on a sheet is better than going in with a handful of marked string. :lol: Very important for buying furniture. Also measure doors where you can bring it in, and pay attention to the door rather than just the jam. Also measure any stairs you have to carry stuff up, and look for awkward turns.

[Alfie]

I went to some garage sales today (the Australian version of a yard sale), and they weren't helpful at all. All they had was heaps of useless stuff, just decorative things, or kids clothes. I went to about 5 and then ended up giving up.

Slyt, I am moving to Bulimba, which I'm very excited about because I will be in the zone of Brisbane City buses, and where I am now has a really dodgy public transport system.

I'm not too strapped for cash at the moment, but I would like to save as much as possible. The only issue that I'm having at the moment is figuring out where my boyfriend can sleep when he comes over. I just have a single bed, and I think that queen beds cost too much. We found a couple of really nice fold out beds at Ikea, but they are $500-600. We found some cheaper ones too, but as he is fairly heavy I know they wouldn't be good for him. But maybe I'll just bite the bullet and spend the $500-600. It should last for ages anyway.

[daleduke17]

4) Know where your toilet paper is on move in day. Unpack it first thing out of the car/truck. Its a bad time to find out you can't find your TP when Mother Nature is beating your bowels with a brickbat.


QFT.

When I was packing stuff to move when I moved in with my (now) wife, I nicked a roll of toilet paper from my dad's house just so we had some on the morning of the move. :-p

A couple of other tips:

- Get a binder or folder specifically for takeout/delivery menus. We have one at work that has a menu for almost every takeout restaurant within a mile of campus. It has its place right there next to the schedule book, contact book and procedure guides (if that tells you how important it is). :-p

(the next couple are from my past as a volunteer firefighter)

- I'm not sure how it is in Australia, but, if you have a fire extinguisher that can lower your renter's insurance a bit. Plus, they are handy to have around. A little ABC extinguisher (solids/electrical/liquids) isn't that much.

- Learn the exits to your building in case of an emergency. That was one of the first things I looked at when my wife and I were looking for apartments. If you have to vacate, take your apartment/building keys with you.

- Get a weather radio if you have the means (and if they are available where you live). They can be set to activate only when there is a warning for your area. Great tool to have. Yeah, sometimes they go off for unneeded things, but, that one time it gives you a warning for an "oh shit" moment, it makes up for it.

[Slytovhand]

Hey Alfie again :-)

Bulimba - I used to live a few K's from there, and had a mate up on Oxford St (and knew ppl down on Hawthorn Rd). The cinemas there are pretty cool - and a lot cheaper than the chain places. The whole of Oxford St has gone majorly up-market over the last few years, so you're lucky as far as dining out (and Coles is pretty new too!)

Cannon Hill had an op shop on the corner of Wynnum Rd and..? something which had some nice furniture stuff in it, and Morningside had a St Vinnies too. Oh - and I think there's a slightly cheaper furniture store in Cannon Hill shopping centre - towards the back end. Either way, if you can't find a cheap bed, futons are a lot cheaper - no matter what size - usually about half what you're expecting above!

Which suburb did you come from?

Don't forget the ferry, cos the buses aren't fantastic (but still about 30 mins apart. And there are stops on Oxford, and also further down near the roundabout on Hawthorn/ the other one :P... is it Bulimba Rd?) But that's better than my other friends down in Kingtson and Inala (oh sorry - she's in Forestlake... :P)

I did think of something else practical as well... when you get your kitchen utensils, don't go with the crappy plasticy stuff. Get the melamine (hard and shiny plastic) - cos the other stuff will melt, bend and be a real pain in the butt. The melamine (assuming you aren't going full metal) will last for ages, and if it's the right stuff, won't melt.

And definitely go with what GeekKing and others have said - first thing you move into the place is the toilet paper - along with the soap and hand towels!

Oh - and have a spare key - and hide it somewhere good! I prefer, if you've got a carport or similar, to leave it on one of the crossbeams to it (I'm presuming you're in one of the older sections, not the nice new shiny places?)

Ok - I think I'm done here again..:p

Til next time, at any rate


Slyt

[Andara Bledin]

Ah, the first big move.

I actually only moved into my very own place for the first time last year. Before that it had always been group things with a group of friends renting rooms in a house, or family doing the same thing.

Vitals for moving - these are the things you will require from the first day:

Main Room
Something to sit on/against. It could be nothing more than a back cusion against a wall, but you will want a place to sit comfortably.
If you don't have something there already, curtains. You will want to be able to shield every window from the view of strangers or the influx of light.
Kitchen
Something to eat off of. If you can swing it, get a 4-person serving set. It's cheap, easy, and will cover most needs. If not, then at least buy a package of disposable plates until you can procure something more permanent.
Something to eat with. As with the dishes, try to pick up a small set of flatware. If finances are tough, pick up some plasticware to use until you can get something more permanent.
If it doesn't come with one, you will want to get a refrigerator asap. Stock it with some basic items such as butter, milk, mayo, etc as suits your eating habits.
Microwave. Best appliance ever.
At least one pot and one pan, and a baking sheet. If you cook at all you will want these three basic items.
A trash receptacle of some sort. If you only get one trash can, you will want it in your kitchen. If you get plastic bags when shopping, you can use them as cheap trash bags.
Dishwashing soap. Even if you have a dishwasher, you will also want some manual style dish soap.
Baking soda.
Paper towels.
Bedroom
Blankets and pillow(s). Depending on what you can sleep on, a mattress can wait.
Alarm clock. Make sure that if you only have one time keeper in the entire apartment, that you have an alarm clock.
Some place to keep clean clothes clean. Even if it's just a basket, you should have something in which to store your clean clothes so that stay clean before you wear them.
Bathroom
Shower curtain. If you can afford it, spring for a heavier shower curtain. Cheap curtains tend to be thin and can blow out of position from the draft of a good showerhead.
Toiletries. Generally you will need at the least: soap, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste.
Towels and cloths. You will want at least a good towel, perhaps a decent hand towel, and maybe two or three washcloths. If you clean yourself fully, there is no reason to not use a drying towel s
everal times before it will need to be laundered.
Toilet paper. If you must, you can hijack a roll from a friend or family before you make the move, but you will want to have one in the bathroom before you even start hauling anything else in.
General Necessities
Some type of vaccuum cleaner.
Laundry detergent.

You can actually live fairly decently with only the items I've listed above, but it's not really an ideal situation. There are many, many other things that you will want to acquire to help make your apartment life much more comfortable.

One thing to remember is that there is almost never such a thing as too many shelves. After all, cupboards are just shelves with little houses around them. :D

^-.-^

[Alfie]

Thanks again for all the advice, feel free to keep it flowing.

I've pretty much decided that I will buy a futon from a cheapish furniture shop (Super Amart) for my boyfriend to sleep on. It will cost me $300 compared to the $600 Ikea one. Then I can buy a microwave and vacuum cleaner as well and still be under $600.

Slyt, I live in Alexandra Hills at the moment (near Capalaba and Cleveland) and it is hell to get to uni (Kelvin Grove), the public transport system is crap. And so is the traffic! So Brisbane City buses will be brilliant. I don't know if I could stand using the ferry that much, because it seems to take up so much time. But I can't remember exactly how many stops there are between Bulimba and the city. I will check all those places out that you mentioned, and I'm also going to make sure I do all of my shopping at Cannon Hill, because apparently the Woolworths at Bulimba is overpriced, which doesn't surprise me.

So that's about all I have to add at the moment, nothing much is happening except for me getting more and more excited.

[Slytovhand]

Yeah - I know Alex Hills... I used to work in the library in Cap a few years back (well - ok - a lot of years back. when it first opened).

And I have a friend whose parents live on Vienna Rd. And I think I know what you mean about the buses down there :P but the trains were cool - I used them a fair bit when I worked in Cleveland.

Oh - what you studying? Would it be nursing or medicine? Is it the Herston campus?

As for the ferry - I think it's worth doing a full trip at least once - just a nice relaxing cruise...

ok - I'm at work and can't think.... laters :)

Slyt

[BookstoreEscapee]

When you can afford to buy a new bed, you want to go with the best quality you can afford; you don't want to rush into buying something just to have it, and then find you can't sleep in it. For something that's expected to last 10 years or more, you don't want it to fall apart on you. This doesn't have to cost a fortune, though; more expensive doesn't necessarily translate into better quality. (Here's an interesting article (http://www.slate.com/id/93956/)on the subject. Which I didn't find until after I bought my bed....) You also want to test them out in a showroom first. Also factor into your bed budget a new bedspread of some kind, a mattress cover, and 2-3 sets of sheets (I only bought one set of sheets to begin with, then later bought a second set, which I plan on putting on my bed today :)). Look for bed-in-a-bag sets - they usually come with at least comforter and sheets, plus extras like pillow shams, bedskirts, or throw pillows. Look for sales; in my shopping ventures, I discovered that sheet prices go up about $10 for each bump in size.

My mattress (queen) cost a little under $1000 (US$, including tax). I love it. It replaced a twin mattress that was dog knows how old (probably at least 15 years). I didn't realize how much it sagged until I got a new bed and actually found myself sleeping on a level surface! Shop around, and don't let the salespeople pressure you into buying until you're ready. (See here (http://www.customerssuck.com/board/showthread.php?t=22750&highlight=sleepys+mattress) and here (http://www.planetfeedback.com/dial+a+mattress+operating+corp/overall+experience/1-800-mattress+is+great/306535) for my experience.)

On a related note, buying a "big girl bed" made me feel more like a grownup. At 32 this is the first time I've owned a bed that wasn't a twin (not counting when I lived with my ex, but then that was his bed and was crappy anyway :p).

[Alfie]

I'm not really willing at the time being to buy a new bed, because my parents have just bought me a new single bed mattress which is fantastic (and they forked out $420 for it too), and my partner's parents just put in $1000 for a mattress of his own. So I am just buying the futon so that he has somewhere to sleep until he moves in. I figure that if he has a $1000 mattress just sitting at his place, there is nothing stopping him from bringing it with him when he moves in. There's no way I'm paying for a good quality mattress and then when he wants to move in it will have been a complete waste of money (he is saying that I could possibly do this, but stuff that).

[Andara Bledin]

Advice on a bed. You'd be surprised how decent a good air mattress is for a bed, and when you're not sleeping, you can prop it up out of the way to have more floor space.

Our first air mattress lasted a year, and our second one is actually much better. Only about $30 each. We've had our current mattress about a month and we've only added air to firm it up once so far.

^-.-^

[Slytovhand]

Advice on a bed. You'd be surprised how decent a good air mattress is for a bed, and when you're not sleeping, you can prop it up out of the way to have more floor space.

Our first air mattress lasted a year, and our second one is actually much better. Only about $30 each. We've had our current mattress about a month and we've only added air to firm it up once so far.

^-.-^

Dang!!! What brand? Mine have a bad habit of going down in the first night (... please keep mind out of gutter....)


slyt

[Alfie]

I would be fond of the air mattress idea, but my partner weighs 110kg (242 pounds) so I don't know if an air mattress would support his weight. Also, he has said that buying air mattresses are a bit hit-and-miss (apparently he is an expert in these things :p) and that some will be really good, but others might go flat over night.

I have bought more stuff today, and really am looking forward to moving out. Mum went psycho last night, and today is sane, so I hope she stays sane until Wednesday, then I wont really worry about what happens after that. Well I will worry, but at least I will know that I will be safe.

[Shangri-laschild]

If she's sporatically going psycho might want to get all your stuff out of there in one day if you can to avoid her possibly taking it out on your stuff if she has a freak out after you move. Don't know if she would do that or not but just a thought.

[Andara Bledin]

I would be fond of the air mattress idea, but my partner weighs 110kg (242 pounds) so I don't know if an air mattress would support his weight. Also, he has said that buying air mattresses are a bit hit-and-miss (apparently he is an expert in these things :p) and that some will be really good, but others might go flat over night.

My boyfriend is about 250 lbs and I'm nearly 200. We have a queen size air mattress (we turn it sideways and have a cushion for our feet), and it holds us both quite well over the long-term. It seems the mattresses are made better than they were a year or so ago as the one we have now is precisely the same brand and style as the one we got last year that wasn't nearly as good. And it's something fundamental in the way the mattress is designed, not just that we got lucky with this one.

^-.-^

[BookstoreEscapee]

(... please keep mind out of gutter....)


slyt

Aw, maaannn! Where's the fun in that??!:devil:

[Alfie]

I will have a look into the air mattress idea if the sofa bed I wanted has sold out, as it isn't on the website anymore. It's good to know that they are getting better, and I'm happy to fork out a bit more money for one that is better than standard as I can't imagine they will be very expensive.

I will be getting my stuff out of here within 2 days of me having keys to the unit, but I'm not worried about her destroying my things. It's more my brother that she gets psycho about, I'm just the one who has to sort the madness out when it is taking place.

Aw, maaannn! Where's the fun in that??!:devil:

As the creator of this thread, I would like to ask for everyone to keep their minds in the gutter, as it is the healthiest place for them. Why? I'm not sure, but I said so. :p

[Andara Bledin]

Be really careful about sofabeds. Most of them are not made for everyday use and you can end up with a seriously messed up back sleeping on one all the time. Plus, they're heavy as all hell and a total pain to move.

When you set up your new place, one thing you should pay careful attention to is outlet placement. Figure out where your phone jacks are, where your cable line is, and where your electrical outlets are. It sucks to have your entertainment station (tv, stereo, game system, etc) all set up and then realize that you have to string the cable hookup all the way around the room. (our cable hookup is in a really stupid location. the front of the apartment is a door and a stretch of plate window. the hookup is between the door and window, so the only decent place to put the tv is against the window, which is just plain lame)

^-.-^

[Alfie]

I have been fairly concerned about a sofa bed stuffing up our backs, and we went to test one out today (minds in the gutter again please everyone), but my partner hardly even fits on it! So we had a look at mattresses, and the cheapest queen size one we found was $300, and another one was $350. Where it was $350, the guy said he could knock it down by a few dollars, and he was really nice too so I think I'll end up buying that. I know it's far from being top of the range, but I am only expecting it to be needed up to a year at the most.

That's a really good point about the entertainment unit set up. I am pretty boring, so all I will have is a TV, so I don't really have to worry about that too much. And since when were TVs so expensive??? The cheapest decent size one we could find brand new was $137, so I am just going to go to a pawn shop and buy one for $64.