As a college student I spent my first two years living on campus until I realized I could lower the amount of college loans I would have to pay back by living in an apartment. Living off campus can be a great saving option if you are prepared and have planned out the ways to save money. Here are some helpful tips to see if moving off campus is really for you.

Start Now…

Find Roommates- Let’s face it. You are not going to save money if you are living in a one-bedroom apartment all by yourself, so get out there and find some roommates. In my own experience the more people the more you will save. Its important to find trustworthy people that you can rely on so start by asking people you know.

No Fee- When you go though a realtor you want to be sure there are not going to be any fees. A NO FEE apartment is what you are looking for. This means that the landlord will be compensating the realtor for showing you the place, and you can move in without paying the realtor a fee. NOTE: Many students are not aware that you have to pay a security deposit, as well as first and last month rent just to take a place off the market and move in. This means you may have to pay up to three months rent before you even move into the apartment, (this varies by state) so start saving NOW!

Utilities Included- When searching for a place be sure to try and find one where the heat and hot water are included if you can. If not you should always ask to see the prior billing statements of the last year so you can factor it into your expenses ahead of time. Living somewhere where it gets really cold in the winter means your heating bill is going to skyrocket in the colder months, leaving you with a bill you were unprepared for and unable to pay. Having heat included in your monthly rent works to your advantage.

Let Friends and Family Know- In my experience tell EVERYONE! Friends and family are there to help! Everyone has furniture and household items lying around that they don’t use. Chances are if you bring up in conversation that you are excited to be moving out on your own they will try and find a way to help. Whether its offering you some extra pots and pans they have in their garage or letting you borrow the old couch they store in the basement, people love giving things away! The less you have to buy, the more you SAVE! If you need to pick up some items, check out some of these Student Advantage discounts.

After you move…

Buy in Bulk- This is a great way to save, especially if you have several roommates. Have everyone chip in a few bucks to buy bulk toilet paper, paper towels, and any other items you all go through constantly.

Learn How to Cook- Food is usually what makes or breaks your living off campus budget. Look for sales on food. Try not to eat out. There are many simple recipes online that are easy to follow.

So I hope this information helps and good luck out on your own!