The end of each year seems to be a good time to make lists.
There are best movie lists, best music lists etcetera. With my university and college-age kids home for the holidays, we decided to make a list of “good things” to know. Each of them lives away from home and we started talking about things that “would have been nice to know” when they moved away. Whether going away to school or moving out on your own, these were their thoughts.
Laundry, ironing, and small repairs
If your apartment has its own washer/dryer, watch what time you do your laundry. Many communities have variable hydro rates depending on the time of usage.
If you are sharing washers and dryers, check the setting before using the machines.
Know the difference between High Efficiency (HE) Laundry soap and regular laundry soap. HE washer requires HE soap and a little goes a long way. Knowing the difference will make a huge difference for cleaning your clothes and for your budget.
If you are only using “cold water,” appreciate that HE soap will, still need a little warm water to activate.
Using cold water to wash your clothes may require special “cold water soap” but there are advantages, less sorting of clothes and less expensive for your budget.
Even if using cold water, there is a benefit to sorting and washing colors and whites separately. In addition, anything that is excessively dirty should be washed on its own.
Know that fabric softener comes as a liquid you add to your washer or a sheet you add to your dryer. Liquid fabric softener is not soap, no matter how nice it might make your clothes smell.
Balance your clothes in your washing machine and do not overload either the washer or your dryer. If your washing machine “clunks” or the clothes are dripping wet after the spin cycle or they are still not dry after coming out of the dryer, you may have overloaded the machine.
If you share a washer/dryer or are using a laundromat, stay with your laundry. Other people may not be very patient and you may find it sitting on the floor when you return.
Use bleach to help clean specific things but read the instructions carefully and avoid spilling it on yourself or other clothes.
Never put anything made of wool and 100% cotton into your dryer unless you want them to be several sizes smaller.
Clean out the lint trap on your dryer before each load, lint can cause the dryer not to work efficiently and can be a fire hazard.
Know how to re-attach a button, patch holes in jeans (some tears are stylish, others are not), and how to hem a pair of pants or slacks. Most department stores will sell needles, thread, patches, and everything you need.
Have an iron (and any ironing board), they are very inexpensive new and can be bought used too. Watch the temperature settings, as it is easy to scorch things. If you do not have an iron, putting a wet sock into a dryer with a wrinkly shirt or blouse for 5-10 minutes will remove more of the wrinkles.
Regularly wash your towels, bath Matts, face cloths, dishcloths, tea towels, and any cleaning rags. Do not forget to wash your sheets and blankets at least once per month.
Shopping Part 1: Groceries
When on a limited budget, make your own coffee at home and find some recipes online for cooking for one or two people.
Before going to the grocery store, roughly plan your meals and make a list of the things you need.
Before shopping, clean out your fridge and check your supplies.
Have a grocery point’s card. Check the flyers and do not limit yourself to one store, one might be good for staples another might be better for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Use re-useable cloth bags; particularly if you are using public transit, they are much more durable.
On a limited budget, but things like rice and potatoes can be used to cook a variety of recipes.
If you have roommates, decide right away, what foods are going to be shared, such as condiments, and how they will be replaced as they are used.
Look for food that has “Use tonight” labels, as they are usually heavily discounted. These items can be frozen to extend their lives. Print off a copy of Second Harvest Canada’s GUIDE TO FOOD CONSUMPTION. Note that items like bread and milk can be frozen. Understand the difference between “best before dates” and “expiry dates,” many items are perfectly safe to eat after their best before date.
If you are struggling to have enough food, there is help. Checkout 211 – FOOD RESOURCES. They exist to help, note many food banks may limit the number of visits per month but meal programs usually have no limits. 211 is a great resource if you have questions on anything, call or use online. Many colleges, universities, and high schools also have programs to assist with food.
Don’t cook fish or meat on cookie sheets that you use for baking unless you like the taste of chocolate chip fish cookies
Try to use resealable containers for food to avoid having problems with mice and other critters.
Shopping Part 2: Everything else
Second-Hand stores can help stretch limited budgets. Try to avoid mattresses or things like underwear, but most other things can be purchased for a fraction of the original value. Especially kitchen items
If looking for household furniture, bedding, pots, and pans, search for online auctions, many of these auctions are a great source of quality items, again for a fraction of the price.
If transporting is an issue, ask friends or parents for help or consider renting a cube van for a day, with limited mileage charges it can be very cost-effective.
Cars/Transportation
The freedom of having your own car comes with a tremendous price. If possible, use public transit instead to avoid the high costs of insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
Use YouTube to learn how to change a tire, change wiper blades, and know the limits of those small temporary tires, and when and how to add oil or other fluids like power steering and brake fluid to your car.
If you do have a car, have a CAA membership, ensure that you have four snow tires, change the oil every 6 months minimum, and consider having an oil undercoating applied each fall to save on salt corrosion. On a budget, a quick-lube kiosk can change your oil quickly and for minimal cost.
Have an emergency kit (blanket, flashlight, candle and matches, granola-type foods, shovel, and a phone charger).
Get a second opinion if a repair shop recommends an expensive repair.
Remember license plates expire on your birthday, not at the end of the month.
Avoid parking and traffic tickets and if you get one, always make sure that you pay it before the due date.
Try to never let your fuel tank get below ¼ tank. Running out of fuel in a “fuel-injected” car can result in a mechanic’s visit if you try to restart a car that has run out of fuel. If someone borrows your car, make sure they know what kind of fuel it uses: diesel can ruin your regular gas-powered car’s day. In addition, condensation can form in your fuel tank over time and dilute your fuel.
Your Money
We have another blog post on this subject, check out NOT YOUR AVERAGE BUDGETING ADVICE, which was written from a student’s perspective.
One additional point though, try to keep some money available for emergencies if debit or credit cards either won’t work or are not available. Even $50 is a good amount.
Renting and roommates
There are some basics, like contents insurance, understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and learning how to deal with room maters; these are covered in the post ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS WHEN MOVING OUT.
Learn how to patch holes left by picture hooks, YouTube, drywall mud, a scraper, and sandpaper can give you everything you need to know.
Expect when you move into a new apartment to have to clean everything. When moving out, always take the time to clean as well.
If you are struggling with any issues, emotional or financial, use 211 and reach out for help. Anxiety affects everyone.
Never microwave fish or shrimp in a microwave, the odor will linger forever and your popularity with your roommates will plummet.
This list was a fun exercise. Most of their points were accompanied by funny stories because most of the lessons were learned through bad luck and experience. I know we have missed some things, please take a moment and add your comments; we would love to hear them.
It almost goes without saying, for more detail on any of these points, google; Youtube; or websites like DAD, HOW DO I … or MOM, HOW DO I … are also great resources.
Good luck,
Paul