By Kiley Garrett
Your first apartment is a huge milestone; it is your first time truly being on your own, as an adult in the real world. You are ready for your own space, but what are some of the hidden expenses no one told you about?
- Deposits
One thing that I did not think about when I moved into my first place was the deposits. Yeah, you can afford the rent and the security deposit, but what about the others? In the city of Portales, you pay a $150 deposit to turn your water on (on top of the $75 minimum every month for your water bill) plus a $150 deposit to turn your gas on, if your apartment has a gas stove and water heater. - Food
So, you’ve got the rent and all of your utilities figured out. However, did you factor in food? Yeah, food. Kind of something you’d think to remember, but when you’re moving out of your home or from the dorms, food might not be a bill you factor in every month. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get food stamps, which for one person should be more than enough to feed you if you’re willing to live without the freshest organics you can find. This one may sound dumb, but you do not realize just how little you think about food prices until you are on your own. - Furniture
A lot of people don’t realize just how expensive furniture is, and for the broke college student who’s only focus is to get out of the dorms, it may take you by surprise. Some people are able to get hand me downs and cheap stuff off of a certain book of faces and bays that begin with E, but just as many are stuck with an air mattress on the ground before slowly accumulating furniture. Honestly, you should not expect to move in and immediately fully furnish your apartment unless you have a really well-paying job, but let’s face it, jobs like that are hard to find as a college student. Just be okay with the slow accumulation and you’ll be fine. Futons are great, usually fairly inexpensive and multifunctional. - Groceries
Now, I know I included food earlier on in this list but hear me out; groceries aren’t just food. Groceries include things like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, any non-edible item that is essential to life. Okay, so maybe paper towels are not essential, but they are useful and expensive. Why is a roll of paper that’s just going to be thrown away so expensive? Beats me. Ask the paper industry. - Your sanity
Yes, this is an expense. When you first move into your own place, it can be stressful. The financial instability can be real for a while and sadly, that is expected in our economy. Having roommates can help, but if you’re truly all on your own, you can be prepared for some stressful nights. The whole “don’t spend more than a third of your monthly income on rent” isn’t always plausible for college students, or just struggling young adults. Maybe it isn’t a necessary stress, but the financial instability of living on your own on a minimum wage job is something that’s all too real for so many people, college student or not. Just remember that help is there for you if you ask for it. ENMU has a great counseling service that’s free for students and they can help with anything from mental health, to financial health tips
If you make sure to do your research, that little bit of financial panic that you face when you realize there’s an expense you didn’t budget in, can be little to nothing. Asking questions is encouraged and if you aren’t sure about something, you should have someone walk you through it. Being an adult is scary, yes, but it’s also liberating. Almost everyone experiences these little fears, but it’s part of growing into an adult and becoming a functioning member of society.
