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The kitchen is the heart of the home but when you’re rummaging through plastic bowls or squeezing drawers closed, it’s no longer a happy and functional space where you can get things done quickly. If you have a small kitchen and a ton of accessories, then you need to find ways to improve your storage. Getting organized in the kitchen helps you find what you are looking for and it makes it easier to clean the kitchen from the counters to the drawers and cabinets. Most importantly, it will make you fall in love with your kitchen again! Who knows, a brighter organized kitchen could inspire a healthy lifestyle or ignite your inner chef... So, if you have clutter in the kitchen or you need to find a way to improve storage in your pantry, then our helpful tips will get your running your kitchen like a true chef! 1. Clear the Clutter To start organizing your kitchen you need to start from scratch. Look at the goodies inside your cabinet and the gadgets in your drawers. If you no longer use or need something, then toss it! When we accumulate things that we don’t actively use, it’s better to put them in a box in storage, to give them to someone who will use it, or to throw them away. This helps you prevent clutter inside the cupboards and on top of the counter. Start decluttering your space on a day when you have time. You’ll have to unpack your kitchen so you can decide what to keep and what to let go of. Broken gadgets expired foods, and items that you don’t use should make your throw-away list. If you aren’t sure as to whether you want to keep a saucepan or can opener, place it in a box, label the box, and pack it in storage. If you ever need the item, it will be waiting for without having to spend money to replace it. At the same time, it creates more space and organization. 2. Tricks to Organize Cups, Mugs, and Utensils The easiest thing to do with cups and mugs is to stick them in the cabinet but these glass accessories can quickly take up much-needed space. To create some extra room inside your kitchen cupboards, use mug holders, racks, or hooks to hang them. A storage rack is raised, so you can place mugs and cups on top of it with extra space underneath it. You can also purchase storage accessories that allow you to hang mugs on hooks so that it doesn’t have to be placed inside the kitchen cupboard at all. You can also use a storage rack for utensils. Hang your cutlery on a stand to clear out some of your drawers. 3. Organize the Kitchen Cabinet How frustrated do you feel when you can’t find a particular spice while cooking or the one bowl you use to prepare your meals is missing in action? It’s annoying and it’s unnecessary. To find your items, simply organize them. Sounds simple but it does take a little bit of time and planning so that you give everything a place and avoid overfilling drawers and cupboards. Start By Cleaning the Cabinets and Drawers Once you’ve removed most of the goods from your kitchen cupboards and you’ve started the process of sorting through your checklist, the next step is to give everything a thorough clean. Wipe the inside of the cabinets and the drawers especially where the crumbs and spills have left a bit of a mess. For apartments, these scheduled cleans can also remove dirt and food particles before it creates tough stains. Cleaning everything out can also help you spot critters such as cockroaches and rodent droppings that might have been hidden behind foodstuffs and accessories. Group Similar Food Items The easiest way to know where everything is is to group similar items together. All spices should be in one draw, kinds of pasta in another, and tinned foods somewhere else. Organize your consumables based on similarities. You would keep sugar, flour, and rising agents in one section and jars in another. A great way to keep your foods organized and easy to see is with jars or canisters. The canister can be clear or labeled and placed on the kitchen counter or inside the cupboard. This way you always know exactly what’s inside these holders and it looks great when placed on top of the counter. Another helpful trick is to place the items that you regularly use (Whether every day or weekly) in the front of the cabinet with other products positioned further back. 4. Check Kitchen Gadgets From your mixer to your sandwich press, check that your kitchen gadgets work and keep these in a section where it does not block your access to items you use regularly. If you find broken accessories and gadgets, it’s best to let go of these items and to replace them with items that you regularly use or need. 5. Keep Things Labeled As previously mentioned, you can use jars and canisters to hold portions of pasta, cereals, and even tea or coffee. If the containers you use aren’t clear or labeled, you can tag each of these items yourself. Print a few sticky labels or print a small image of the food item and glue it onto the jar or container so you always know what’s inside of it. 6. Group Your Pots and Pans You can even group your pots and pans inside the cupboards. Place saucepans together, put smaller pots inside the larger ones, and keep the lids organized in the front o the cabinet. You can also use shelves to place your pots or hang them above the kitchen counter as décor. Hanging your saucepans makes it easier to reach especially the ones that you use frequently! 7. Use Kitchen Drawer Dividers Have you sorted through your drawers only to nick your finger on a knife among your utensils and gadgets? Enough of rummaging through you’re drawer! Instead, you can use a drawer divider helping to separate the spoons from the knives, forks, and extras. How Do Chefs Arrange Their Kitchens? Professional chefs need to maximize efficiency in their kitchen which means making good use of space and knowing exactly where everything is. This level of organization also makes it easier to keep the kitchen clean and hygienic. If you want a chef’s kitchen, you’ll need to think about ways of arranging your consumables, utensils, bowls, and pantry items that make it easy to reach and simple to keep clean. A general rule of thumb in the kitchen is to keep the items that you use daily close by. If you use sugar in your coffee every morning, you can have both sugar and coffee canisters on your counter and clearly labeled. It looks neat, it’s practical, and it prevents you from scrambling through your foodstuffs when you want to find something as simple as sugar. To improve space and practicality, you can also check out our guide on Improving Storage in Your Small Apartment. Keep the Counter Clean Professional kitchens are neat and tidy because the countertops are always organized and clutter-free. Modernize Your Kitchen with Storage and Practicality We previously mentioned hanging your saucepans close to your stovetop well, in a beautifully modernized kitchen, you can find hooks and specific accessories to place above the oven or over the counter allowing you to hang your saucepans for decorative purposes. Hang beautiful copper saucepans or cookware with bright colors and designs to add an edge to the appearance of the kitchen. Add a small pot plant or you could place glass kitchenware and cake holders on the counter with fruit inside of it so that it gives color and storage at the same time! Conclusion To keep your kitchen organized and functional consider the following steps: Place your pots, pans, and cookware close to the oven where it’s easy to access and you can change or add kitchen accessories as you need. Make use of kitchen storage racks and shelving to place items such as mugs and glassware. Use drawer dividers to keep your utensils and basic kitchen gadgets in place and clean. Use over-door hooks to place inside your kitchen cupboards where you can hang cleaning cloths and oven mitts. Many stores sell plastic caddies that are great to hang over the cabinet door and store your sponges and cleaning cloths. Think about ways of improving your space, storage, and organization. The kitchen is a space that needs practicality but this doesn’t mean that it can’t look good in the process. When you pick bread bins, storage food containers, and similar items you can also lookout for a colorful design that adds a bit of interest to the counter and to the cabinet. You want to feel happy in your space and when you are well-organized, it becomes easier to cook with joy. Take your time to arrange things as you need it and get creative with your storage so you never have to worry about poor organization or difficulty cleaning the kitchen ever again.

When bad credit gets in the way of approval to buy a house, it gets you down and leaves you feeling stuck or frustrated. Debt can be challenging to manage and once it affects your credit score, it takes time before you can improve your ratings and your financial standing. For many of us, we might not want to wait that long before we enter the property market, but the question is, can you buy a house with bad credit? In this blog, we look at the steps you can take and what you need to know to get into the real estate market, despite your credit history. Can You Buy a House with Bad Credit? Purchasing a home is a monumental financial undertaking. Even if you have good credit, applying for a mortgage can be a tedious process but it’s a lot more challenging when your credit is negative. The truth is that you can buy a property with bad credit, but you need to prove affordability and that you are on top of your bills and have no outstanding payments or collections. This includes debt management steps you’ve been taking to improve your credit. You can’t continue to rely on your credit or rising bill payments if you want to invest in property. Let’s start by looking at what is considered a negative credit rating and the steps you can take to get into the property market. What is Negative or Bad Credit? When you’re told that you have a bad or negative credit score it means that your credit report shows negative financial and debt-related behaviors. When you don’t repay your debts according to the terms of a loan or bill repayment plan. The following behaviors will affect your credit report: Missed or late payments Foreclosure Debts going into collections Credit scores (also known as FICO scores) typically range from 300 to 850. Scores between 300 and 579 are considered poor. The credit score is important because it affects different financial pursuits from taking on a personal loan and buying a car to getting approved for an apartment or home loan. You can find your credit score when you request a credit report through a reputable financial provider. Top sources for requesting a free credit report include: Credit Sesame Annual Credit Report Credit Karma You can also visit federal government websites such as FTC Consumer Information to get a free credit report. Once you know your score, you’re in a better position to prepare for your mortgage application rather than be surprised by a rejection. If you have a score that is below 500, it is better to work on improving your financial background prior to applying for the home loan. Banks generally don’t issue loans for scores below 479 and 500. Steps to Getting Approved for a Mortgage with Bad Credit Once you’re ready to apply for a home loan, the good news is that assessments are individualized so even if you are applying with a negative rating, no two credit scores and reports are the same. There are various factors that could influence the reason for your negative or bad credit including a few late payments compared to someone else who might have undergone a foreclosure. Banks will look at the following factors when considering a mortgage: The amount available for a down payment The borrower’s income (or combined income if a couple is applying) The borrower’s total debt The best way to secure a mortgage is to offer a sizable down payment on a property. The more you have as a down payment, the better your chances of getting a home loan because banks view cash quite favorably and will only issue a certain amount for the home loan based on your score. If you don’t need a full mortgage, a large deposit can work in your favor too. Be prepared for higher interest rates though. Mortgages that are approved with bad credit will be issued a higher interest compared to those with a positive credit history. Focus on Improving Your Credit Lenders want to see that you’ll be able to afford the loan they issue. They won’t approve a mortgage unless they see improvements in your financial practices. If you try to reduce your debt or show lenders and credit providers how you are repaying late bills, it puts you in better standing than if you applied without any effort to decrease your debt. You can also check out 10 Steps to Financial Stability for tips on money management. Don’t hide from your debt... If accounts are left unpaid, it simply makes things harder when you want to pursue a loan or personal finance. Your finances could also affect your ability to rent let alone take on a mortgage! If you aren’t sure how to address outstanding debt, it is best to speak to a financial advisor. They can assess your debts and income and advise on a plan to help you reduce those bills and improve that score. Think About an FHA Loan For first-time homeowners, there is the option of an FHA loan which is offered by the federal government. It is a popular choice because it offers lower qualifying criteria, and you only need a credit score of 500. Traditional Loans for Housing If you have a good income and you can afford the monthly repayments on your desired mortgage, then it becomes easier to apply for a loan to buy a house. If you apply for a traditional home loan, you will need a credit score of above 620 along with qualifying criteria such as affordability and down payment requirements. *Tip ~ If you get approved for a mortgage with negative credit and you buy a house, you could have the loan refinanced so you can take advantage of better interest rates. Consider a Co-Signer If you cannot get approved for a home loan, you could reach out to a family member to act as a co-signer. Co-signers take on the financial responsibility of the loan and interest if you default on your repayments. This gives the bank peace of mind that they will have someone to afford the loan and settle the repayments if you cannot pay the loan. It is risky for the co-signer too, because they don’t want to tarnish their credit rating either if they are left with your unexpected debt. Think long and hard before you request a co-signer. Visit More Than One Lender Different lenders have different requirements. Not all lenders will offer the same loan sum either so before you decide, it is a good idea to see a few providers who will perform their own assessment of your financial history. They will determine if you qualify and for how much. What if You Can’t Get Approved for a Mortgage with Negative Credit? Getting approved for a home loan is all about showing how you’re improving your credit and working towards a positive score. Take the Following Steps To Work on Your Credit Score Manage Your Credit The bank offers every applicant a specific amount of credit including the limit on your credit card. The way you utilize this credit will influence your credit score. If you use more credit ad you fail to make repayments on time, it can affect up to 30% of your credit score. Length of Credit History The age of your credit account will contribute to your score. It is always better to open one account at an early stage and to pay off small amounts over time to build a positive credit standing. Paying Your Bills on Time One of the most important parts of your credit score is maintaining the payments of your bills on time. More than 35% of your credit score relates to paying your bills before it’s due. Different Types of Credit It is good to have different forms of credit available. This way your financial provider can assess your repayments across your accounts to determine your spending habits including repayments. What Else Can You Do to Get Approved? Resolve Collections A collection on a credit report means that you have not paid an outstanding debt or bill and you still owe money on it. This is why it is so important to check your credit report. If you have updated your accounts, request that collections on the report be deleted. You won’t be considered for a mortgage if you have a collection on your report. Avoid Hard Credit Checks If you are applying for a new account or a type of insurance cover, companies will perform a hard credit check. Unfortunately, hard credit checks can hurt your score and shouldn't be performed around the time you are applying for a home loan. Can You Own a Home if You Have Bad Credit? Negative credit shouldn’t get in the way of buying a house but banks will seldom approve a home loan for scores below 500. It means that you’ll have to work on your finances for a little while to improve your score and your repayment history. If you can improve your score and work on your credit, you place yourself in a better financial position to get approved for a mortgage. Once you’ve gained control of your debt and you have a decent deposit on a home to purchase, shop around for home loans with the best interest rates. Compare, compare, and compare some more so you find value and affordability.

When you take out a home equity loan, you must use your house as collateral. Home equity loans, on the other hand, are second liens, as opposed to first mortgages. Your home equity is one of the most important things that matter when you take a loan. The more equity, the more are your chances to get a high-value loan. And, you get less interest rate as well. If you default, your principal mortgage lender has first dibs on the house. Second mortgage lenders cannot collect as quickly as primary mortgage lenders. So, obtaining a home equity loan with negative credit might be difficult. Even financial organizations like banks and private lenders increase the interest rate for people with bad credit. So, you have to pay back more than you can and it might be out of your budget. This guide on bad credit home equity line of credit loans would show you how to enhance your likelihood of securing a home equity loan. Ways to Qualify Bad Credit Home Equity Line Of Credit Loans 1) Improve Your Credit Score If your score is less than 620, you should try to raise it as soon as feasible. There is no quick fix for improving your credit score. You can try and wait in investments and increase liquidity. If you have other income streams, then make sure you are making a good account statement. Also, there are steps you can do to improve your credit score and help you qualify for a lower-interest loan. Check your credit report if there are any errors Review credit card balances and revolving debt But, even with these steps make sure that you are paying your credit card bills on time. Late payments are one of the biggest reasons why people cannot get loans from banks. Even if you are late for one payment, they hesitate to invest in you. 2) Reduce Your Debt-to-Income Ratio You'll need to either grow your income or reduce your debt to lower your debt-to-income ratio. You might look into side gigs to supplement your income, limit your media streaming services, or sell items you no longer need. This would also help you to improve bad credit home equity line of credit loans. When your debts are lower, you can increase cash in your account and there is a great chance that a private lender will invest in you. 3) Build Equity in Your Home Because you put more money down at the start, a greater down payment for property results in more equity. However, if you've already moved in, you won't be able to increase your down payment. Manage to pay far more the monthly mortgage payment or pay on a bimonthly basis. This would also help you to pay down your loan faster and accumulate more equity. You might also get your house appraised if it has been several years after you had it done. This is only suggested if your home's worth has increased after your last appraisal. 4) Shop Around Borrowers with weak credit should anticipate paying more than the quoted home equity rate. This is because the loan interest rates are a measurement of loan risk. This may result in a large increase in loan fees. Because home equity loan interest rates differ by lender, it's crucial to search around for the best deal. You can talk to a lot of financial agents and after that do your research and evaluation. Go with the agent that understands your situation as well. Take the burden that you can also fulfill in the end. You do not want more debts on you so make sure that you say yes to an agreement when you are ready. It is better that you save a little bit to ensure you can pay easily at the start and keep saving more meanwhile. 5) Repay Your Home Equity Loan A home equity loan could allow you to improve your credit rating by broadening the types of loans on the credit report if you have low credit. In addition, each month you make on-time payments, your payment history and credit score will improve. This will make it easier for you to get authorized for future loans. As a result, you should be able to acquire a cheaper interest rate. Other than these, there are people with a strong portfolio who are just seeing a bad time. In such scenarios, make a strong presentation and you can ask private lenders to invest with you. They are always taking interest in something profitable. So, you can share the profit with them and do not add more debts to your life. You have to be confident and bring something important to the table which is attractive for investment. Bottom Line There is nothing to worry about even if you have bad credit home equity line of credit loans. You may still be able to obtain the funds you require. You may always boost your chances of acquiring a home equity loan by following all the steps mentioned above.

Are You Ready to Get Your Green Thumb On? Living in an apartment shouldn’t stop you from gardening, it just means rethinking how to garden in a small space. It is about choosing the right types of plants depending on light levels, container growing, and overall plant maintenance. There are many types of plants that are quite easy to grow whether in pots or planters or if you have a balcony or paved patio. Even if you don’t have a lot of sunlight streaming in, there are many types of shade-loving plants that you can incorporate to bring some lush greenery into your home. Any space can be transformed into a green wonderland, it all depends on the purpose of your garden, how much time you have to dedicate to it, and working with the space that you have to achieve it. So, whether you live in the upstairs or downstairs apartment, if you want to plant a garden, our tips can show you how to make it happen. To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow -Audrey Hepburn Why Start a Garden in Your Apartment? There is something about a garden that is soothing for the soul. It creates a relaxing space and connects you to nature. Plants are also simple ways of beautifying and decorating an interior or exterior and because of the variety to choose from, you’re sure to find the right type of herb, succulent, or ornamental to enhance your home. Gardening is also a rewarding hobby, and you’ll find that once you get your hands into the soil and start planting, you forget about the stress and pressures of daily life. Even a small space can create a sustainable garden allowing you to plant your own herbs and vegetables. It is a great family activity so get the kids involved and you’ll see how delighted they are to watch a seedling they’ve planted grow into a strong and beautiful plant. Let’s get gardening! Pots, Planters, and Patios Let’s start by looking at apartments that don’t have an area to grow plants directly in the soil. If you have a balcony or a small paved outdoor area, pots and planters will become the foundation for your plants. The beauty of pots and planter boxes is that you can find virtually any size to place on a patio or fit onto a balcony. Planter boxes made from wood are great for those who want a natural look. The horizontal design of these boxes also creates continuity, and you can plant multiple seedlings, herbs, or shrubs in a 40-inch box. If you decide to go with pots instead, choose pots of different heights but similar colors. The colors create uniformity, and the variable heights can actually make a tiny area look bigger by placing the smaller pots in front of the tall and wide pots. The size, shape, and positioning of your new accessories will depend on how much space you have. Ensure that you have enough room to move so you can reach every pot to care for your plants. *Planting Tip ~ If you want to start a mini vegetable garden, planter boxes or wide-rimmed pots are best. You’ll need to consider the depth of these accessories depending on the type of edible you want to plant. Herbs are happy in any sized pot but if you are thinking about carrots, potatoes, or tomatoes, you’ll need something with both width and depth to accommodate the roots and the veggies. How to Prepare Pots for Planting For a seedling or plant to thrive it will need the best start and this means that preparation is key! First place your pots in the desired position. Once it's filled with soil it will be hard to move so be certain about where you want it located. Place drainage chips or stones at the bottom of the pot to prevent soil and nutrients from rapidly escaping with each watering. The stones prevent the soil from clogging the drainage hole of the pot. If the pot is clogged, it will become waterlogged and cause the roots of the plant to rot. The next stage is to fill your pot or box with a good potting medium. Vegetables prefer moist and nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. Always be mindful of the type and size of plant you choose for containers. Some plants will outgrow the pot, so you want to find species that are suited to container growing. All types of herbs such as lavender and spearmint are perfect for pots and planters, and they have the added bonus of a pleasant fragrance you can use in your home. Larger plants including the Bamboo Palm and Ficus tree are indoor plants that adapt to pots quite well. What About Hanging Pots and Baskets? If you have a balcony with a wire fence, you can use plastic hanging pots and baskets. Plastic doesn’t add much weight even after putting soil into the container and you can really create a beautiful display with creepers that hang over the basket. Use the Windowsill The windowsills are a great place to display your plants. Many homesteaders use their windowsills to plant micro herbs. Not only can your herbs benefit from the sunlight, but you’ll also have fresh produce you can use in a salad simply by growing it in your window! Upcycle and Create a Unique Apartment Garden Starting a vegetable patch or growing a stunning rose in a pot doesn’t have to be expensive. If you have old containers or even baskets and cracked terracotta pots, you can use these as containers for a wide variety of plants. Succulents love to grow out of broken pots, and you can turn a regular picnic basket into a plant container by adding plastic lining, piercing a few drainage holes in the lining (at the bottom of the basket), and then adding soil and plants as desired. The Importance of Sunlight for Gardening Most plant species need at least 6 hours of sunlight to perform at their best. If you have a sunny outdoor spot, it’s ideal to use this for sun-loving plants. Some of the best plants for a sunny apartment include: · All varieties of lavender · Herbs including Rosemary, Mint, Coriander, and Celery · Sunflowers (can be grown from seed in a medium to large pot) · Vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, and Pak Choi · Flowers such as daisies, petunias, and verbenas do well in containers · Strawberries are perfect for hanging baskets How to Plant a Shady Garden What if you don’t have a lot of sunlight but you still want to be surrounded by greenery? There are many shade-loving plants you can also plant in pots. Some of these can be placed indoors or in a shady outdoor spot. Plants that prefer low sunlight or shade include: · Palms · Ferns · Ficus tree (needs a bright room and is best kept in a pot) · Fuchsia · Lilies What if You Want a Low Maintenance Plant? If you don’t want to constantly water and feed your apartment garden, then succulents will be the best way to achieve a green look without maintenance. Some plants that are drought tolerant including gazanias are also low maintenance and produce beautiful flowers in a variety of colors. All succulent-type plants will need at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. Can You Grow a Fruit Tree in a Pot? You want your own apples or oranges, but you live in an apartment, so can you grow fruit trees in pots? Some fruit trees work well in pots such as a blueberry or raspberry bush but larger trees including an apple tree will need a very big pot that is not ideal for a balcony. If you live in a downstairs apartment and you have a bit of a garden, you could try to plant citrus trees such as a lemon or orange tree in a container. Remember, that fruit trees in pots or containers need a lot of fertilizer, sunlight, and water to grow and bear fruit. Pruning Your Plants Plants that are grown in containers still need to be trimmed or pruned. The purpose is to maintain its shape and to get rid of any weak or dying stems that are taking nutrients away from the main plant. Careful pruning will encourage new growth and strengthen plants but don’t get carried away with the garden shears! Cutting too much off the plant can do more harm than good. How to Keep Your Balcony and Patio Clean Gardening is fun and rewarding but it can also be messy! One of the biggest concerns when renting is ensuring that the area used for your pots and containers is spotless by the end of your lease. It is always a good idea to use a drainage base for your pot. The base will catch the dark water that drains from the pot and will go a long way to prevent stains. If you do find that the patio or balcony floor is stained by the bottom of the pot, you’ll need to scrub with a soapy solution. Avoid abrasives that can damage the surface! The last thing you want is to be moving out and face the loss of your security deposit because your garden pot damaged the floor. Planting a Garden at an Apartment If you live on the ground floor and you have an area to start a little garden, first check with your landlord as to what you can do and plant. Landlords might not like the idea of planting a tree in the courtyard only to struggle to remove it a year after it’s established. To avoid any problems with your lease, speak to the landlord about creating a small garden that you will maintain or whether using pots and planters is a better idea. Gardening is All About Enjoying Your Home Don't you love the idea of getting fresh herbs and vegetables out of your very own garden? What about stepping out onto your balcony to admire the flowers and rich herbal fragrances of your plants after a long day at work? Gardens and plants are many different things to different people but when you choose the right plants and you watch them grow, it provides a sense of fulfillment and happiness. A garden doesn't have to be hard or expensive to manage so get creative with your space and bring some greenery into your life.

Despite the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in many areas, more and more of us are choosing to work from home instead of at the office. Working at home has its perks, but it can also be a challenge to stay productive. However, with a little creativity and some smart changes to your environment, it's possible to hack your apartment for productivity without having to give up on your cushy remote working arrangement. Decorating an apartment with your productivity in mind can be a fun, new challenge. It can also save you time and money later on when you can check your tasks off the list quickly! Here are five ideas of ways to hack your apartment for maximum productivity: Keep Strict Habits It's tricky to impose one set of productivity habits for everyone. Some people work best when they multitask, while others find singular focus allows them to complete their work more efficiently. Naturally, the best habits are those that work specifically for you. The key here is to understand the factors that make you productive. Do you need a calm atmosphere to focus? Or do you work better when there's background noise in the room? Once you are clear on the things that keep you productive, develop a set of habits to reduce the friction of achieving them. Some ideas: If you cannot resist checking your phone every time it dings, look into apps that prevent you from having access to social media accounts during your work hours. If you like background noise when working, create or download Spotify playlists that you can play on shuffle as soon as you sit down to work. If you find yourself distracted by your TV, try to work in an area where it isn’t visible. Personalize these tips for yourself and keep them in mind every time you sit down to work—one day, they will all be second nature to you! Designate Specific Spaces for Certain Times or Tasks If your apartment is small, you probably do most of your work sitting in just one place. While this makes sense from an efficiency standpoint, some people find the restrictions stifling their creativity. Designating specific spaces in your apartment for certain times or tasks helps keep things fresh—helping you avoid boredom. For instance, you can set up camp for the morning hours in your living room, move to another area for lunch, and then work from a different space during the afternoon to keep you from getting too restless while working. You can also designate specific spaces for certain tasks to make getting into the groove that much easier. For instance, you might put all your writing materials in one area, or designate a specific corner for surfing the web. When it comes time to write a blog entry, for example, just grab your laptop and sit in your designated space. Stick to your designated areas and, in time, your transition to work mode will be seamless. Get Rid of Clutter There's no doubt about it: clutter is distracting. Even if you're not the type to become distracted by every little thing, clutter always finds a way to gnaw at your attention. It’s hard to focus on what needs to get done when there are dishes in the sink or laundry spilling out of the hamper. This is especially true for your home office setup. Clutter can make it difficult to find anything and keep your mind focused on the task at hand. Avoid this by taking 20 minutes every day to organize your apartment and clean up any messes you've made so far that day. This small habit makes a big difference when it comes down to productivity, allowing you to stay in flow longer without distractions. Seek Out Natural Light Research has consistently shown that natural light helps boost productivity. Not only does sunlight provide you with vitamin D it also helps regulate your body clock, helping you maintain a consistent sleep schedule. This means that when you get more natural light, especially sunlight in the morning, your body will naturally feel like it's time to be productive and work on important tasks first thing in the day. Of course, not everyone has a window or balcony they can sit by every single day while working at home. But that doesn't mean you can't seek out natural light in other ways. Try to schedule daily walks to get your dose of natural sunlight without disrupting your work rhythms. Take Frequent Breaks Admit it: when you spend hours at work or school with no breaks insight, you find yourself zoning out and not really focused on the task at hand. Well, this is exactly what happens to most of us when we work from home without taking breaks throughout the day! It might seem counterintuitive if you’re new to remote work, but taking frequent breaks helps boost productivity because it allows you to recharge your batteries and remain sharp for important tasks that demand your full attention. If you don't trust yourself enough to take breaks willy-nilly, try setting an alarm for your breaks. You can also use this time to get up and stretch a little, drink a cup of coffee or tea, do some laundry in the room you're working from—whatever it is, make sure that when your break ends, you feel refreshed and ready to get back to work. About The Author: Katreena is a scientist and a life hack specialist. She's authored scientific journals on biotechnology and molecular biology. To take a break from scientific journals, she puts her mind into writing about lifestyle, health, and sustainability. She strongly believes that kindness makes the world go round.

Breaking a lease is not as uncommon as you might think. Unfortunately, terminating a lease before it expires comes with financial and future rental implications that many don't consider prior to ending their contracts. If you are a renter who wants to end your lease but you’re unsure of the processes involved or what it will cost, our guide investigates the consequences of breaking a lease and the steps you can take to avoid harsh penalties. *For the purposes of this guide, we look at breaking a lease early owing to personal circumstances and not due to uninhabitable conditions or apartment safety and security issues. What Does Breaking a Lease Mean? The lease is the contract you sign when you are approved to rent an apartment. It is a legally binding contract between the tenant and the landlord. You can rent for six months but a lease is typically a year. When you break a lease, you are ending the agreement or the contract you signed with the landlord before it is meant to expire. This means that you are requesting release from the contract before being legally able to do so. It places the landlord in a difficult position because tenants are meant to fulfill their side of the contract. When you prematurely terminate the contract, it allows landlords to pursue remediation for the financial losses that are suffered. What Happens When You Decide to Break a Lease Early? If you decide to break your lease early, you will face penalties that are determined by your landlord and according to the rental laws within your state. This can include the loss of your security deposit with additional financial and even legal implications. When you sign a lease, you will find a section concerning early lease termination and the consequences thereof. While this usually involves losing the deposit and a charge of one to two months' rent, it also depends on the penalties issued by the individual landlord. Remember that even the most lenient of landlords will be in the legal position to penalize you for terminating your contract early. Let’s take a closer look at the consequences of terminating your rental agreement… The Consequences of Ending a Lease In most cases of lease termination, you can expect to lose the security deposit and have to pay extra rent as a penalty. This will differ depending on the landlord and the terms stipulated in your rental agreement. The best way to determine the consequences of ending a lease is to read the contract and if you feel that the penalty is too harsh or unfair, you can speak to your local housing authority or a real estate lawyer about it. Can Lease Termination Affect Credit Ratings? The only time that terminating the lease will affect your credit rating is when your landlord issues additional charges that may be pursued in court. Failing to pay the fines as per the court judgment will have a negative impact on your credit. Will Breaking a Lease Affect Your Rental History? Ending your rental contract before it expires may go on your rental history record. The good news is that it isn’t always viewed negatively by future landlords especially when you discuss your rental history with them. Reasons for Breaking a Lease There are some general reasons or circumstances under which you may break a lease without major penalties, but this will differ between states. For example, some states allow you to end rental agreements owing to health issues or if the landlord violates the terms of the lease; however, these situations are not accepted in the state of Texas. The legal circumstances under which a lease can be broken include the following: You are being actively discharged as a military member. You are renting an illegal unit nulling the contract. The apartment has not been maintained by the landlord and is deemed uninhabitable. You have suffered an incident of domestic violence in the past 6 months. Landlords enter your premises without providing at least 24 hours' notice and do not act in accordance with the lease terms. We look at some of the laws surrounding breaking a lease depending on the state you live in… California In California, month-to-month leases require that tenants give the landlord at least 30 days' written notice before moving out. Texas You can terminate a lease by providing the appropriate notice and paying the penalty fee as stipulated in your contract. This includes a written notice issued 30 days prior to moving out and the payment of any penalties as determined by the lease. In Texas, there are circumstances in which tenants are not freed from their obligations to maintain the lease and pay monthly rent. These include: Moving because of a new job Moving into a new house Moving to be closer to family New York In New York, your landlord must be provided at least 30 days' written notice and you’ll be required to pay the penalty fee of between one and two months’ rent. Tennessee In Tennessee, tenants can request early termination of the lease in exchange for paying the penalty. Penalties could include one or two months’ rent payment. What if I Can’t Pay Rent? Whether you have been placed on short time or you’ve lost your job, the reality for many people is that they still have to pay rent. So, what happens when you live in an apartment, but cannot cover your monthly rent? The first step is to speak to your landlord about making up the payments or whether there are financial options available to you. Rent assistance programs may be one option you can pursue and are offered by the government, through private organizations, and charitable organizations. If you have exhausted your options, and you simply cannot afford the rent, your landlord may evict you from the apartment. You can visit our Guide On Clarifying Eviction Doubts to learn more. How to Break an Apartment Lease No one can predict the future and as a tenant, you might find yourself in a difficult position and want to break your lease. Whether you have lost your job and can no longer afford the rent or you’re in conflict with the neighbors, moving before the end of the lease could prove problematic no matter which state you live in. Remember that your landlord expects rent to be paid every month for the duration of your tenancy. When you leave prior to the legal agreement, it places them in a challenging position. If you’ve considered your options and you're left with breaking your lease, here are a few steps to help you plan and prepare… Understand Your Lease The first step you can take to protect your pocket and minimize the possibility of a lawsuit is to thoroughly read your lease. You should find a section concerning breaking a lease or early termination. It should cover what it will cost, how much notice you should provide the landlord and the circumstances under which termination of the lease is considered. Some leases may have a clause on early lease termination. Here you can learn about the steps you would need to take to end the contract without penalties. In certain cases, landlords might be willing to come to an agreement, but this is not a given and you should always be prepared for the financial and legal implications of your decision. If You Want to End Your Lease Early, Speak to Your Landlord It is best to make an appointment to see and speak to your landlord in person. Always remain professional and courteous and explain your circumstances as to why you wish to terminate the lease. Show the landlord that you are willing to work with them by asking if you can come to a solution, such as paying a penalty fee or finding a reliable tenant to take over the remainder of the lease. If you and your landlord cannot come to an agreement surrounding the lease, then you may have to accept penalties such as the loss of your security deposit, paying the early termination fee, and possible legal consequences for breaking your part of the agreement. Offer to Help with Subletting Because your landlord is ultimately losing money when you end your tenancy, the best way to try to ease the situation is by proposing to sublet. If you can find a new tenant to rent in your place, it may provide a positive outcome. To help you determine whether this is a route you can take, read your lease. In some instances, a lease may prevent you from subletting, but this might change in light of your situation. The Risks of Subletting If the landlord agrees to sublet, many renters don’t realize that the responsibility of the new tenant or sublessee falls on them. If the sublessee damages the apartment, you will be liable for the costs in repairs. Can You Break a Lease without Penalty? Landlords and tenants can both agree to end the lease early, but this is seldom without penalty. The costs to end the lease when it is unanimously decided may be less than if you were to spring the news on your landlord or property manager; however, you will still be legally required to cover the losses suffered by the landlord because you are breaking the original agreement. Final Thoughts At the end of the day, landlords have to run their business, and when it comes to ending your lease, it is important to abide by the appropriate legal procedures. Remember that signing a contract legally binds you to those terms so trying to negotiate with landlords not to pay a penalty should you break your lease, may not be accepted. Some tenants continue to pay the rent rather than break the lease and based on an agreement with the landlord, will vacate the property prior to the expiration of the contract. Some landlords may also agree to end a lease if they can replace you with another tenant. While this seems like a favorable option, sometimes, it can take weeks to months before a new tenant is approved and ready to move in. When you decide to break a lease, you must consider the financial loss. You will forfeit your security deposit no matter how well you’ve maintained the apartment. On top of that, you will have to pay at least one- or two months’ rent before you can move. Prior to renting, it is important to consider the implications of ending your lease and whether it is worth it? Maintain a good relationship with your landlord, pay your rent on time, and if it comes to ending the rental agreement, hopefully, you and your landlord will be able to come to a solution that works for all parties involved.

When you’re faced with the task of decorating your living room but you’re working with limited square footage, the first thing that comes to mind is, “where will everything go?” Even if you don’t have a ton of furniture, placing and positioning your sofa or coffee table can become confusing and frustrating when things just don’t come together. So, if you have a small living room and you don’t know which types of furniture to choose or how to maximize the little space that you have, we’re here to help you out with some small living room design tips based on the size and the layout of your space. How to Make Your Living Room Look Bigger Transforming a small living room into a seemingly larger space is not about expensive renovations. It’s about smart ways of using furniture, paint, and accessories that create an illusion of spaciousness. You’ll be surprised at the difference in the look and feel of the room with the right use of color and positioning of furniture. But why do you need more space in your living room? Because the living room is a place to relax, socialize, and have guests over, it becomes a problem when it feels cramped and disorganized. If you enjoy having friends and family over but can’t fit more than a two-seater sofa in the lounge, this could be an issue! Another reason more homes and apartments are using furniture, paint, and accessories to make rooms feel bigger and brighter is that it lifts your mood. When you walk into a room and it feels spacious and everything has a place, it helps you to unwind and enjoy your home. So, no more bumping into furniture, wasting money on pieces that don’t work, or not enjoying your place because it lacks space. We look at the most popular living room design strategies to make it look and feel like a brand new space. Narrow Rooms It’s one thing having a small living room, but it’s a whole other problem when your room is narrow. The best way to decorate a narrow room is to use furniture with legs. So instead of using a sofa that has a base that covers the floor, you can choose one with legs that will allow you to see the floor underneath it. The purpose of leggy pieces is to make you feel that the area is larger than what it really is. It creates flow and prevents certain areas from being cut off, which can leave the space feeling cramped. Using furniture to improve spaciousness is another smart way of decorating without damaging your home or apartment. You can also use artwork such as a painting or a canvas print to place on the furthest side of the room so when you walk into the living room, your eye is drawn towards the art instantly creating an illusion of length and space. Narrow areas are also improved with the right paint color. Lighter is always better; however, you can also paint horizontal lines across the walls to make the room appear wider in contrast to its narrow layout. Design Tip – For small rooms with low ceilings, vertical lines that are painted on the walls make the space appear taller while horizontal stripes are used to create width. Use the Correct Lighting Lighting plays an important role when decorating smaller spaces and the right use of lamps and shades can instantly transform the way living areas look and feel. For small apartments, lampstands are a great addition because the elongated stand adds height and doesn’t take up too much space. For homes, installing a sconce light on the wall is the perfect way to free more of your floor space while adding light. Choosing the Right Sofa A staple for the living room and a source of comfort, but when it comes to choosing the right sofa for a small space, the options are confusing! Shopping for new sofas is best done in-store. This way you can see and touch the piece helping to visualize how it will work for the room. If you decide to purchase a sofa online, always look at the dimensions and the fabric. Check the measurements of the furniture to determine if it will fit in your living room, then consider the fabric especially if you have children and pets in the apartment. You'll want a durable sofa fabric that is easy to keep clean. Materials such as cotton and linen are hard-wearing and can be steam cleaned to remove odors. Leather is durable and easy to clean but it is pricey. If you want the look and feel of a leather sofa but without the high price tag, consider seating with genuine leather uppers. A leather upper sofa is more affordable because only certain parts of the body such as the arms and seat are genuine leather while the rest of the chair is imitation leather. A popular choice that can certainly work in a small room is a sectional sofa. It offers plenty of seating for guests and because it is positioned flush against the wall, it won’t take up too much floor space. If you can’t find a sectional to fit into a small living room, you can opt for a loveseat or you can ditch the sofa idea completely and include two armchairs with legs. Incorporate Mirrors Mirrors have been a simple way to trick the eye and make even the tiniest of rooms feel airier and brighter. Hang a large square, round, or rectangular mirror on the wall to make the living room feel bigger. Remember that a larger mirror is better than small décor pieces because the smaller mirror will simply make the room feel tiny. If you can’t hang a mirror on the wall, think of a mirror stand in the corner of the room or ladder shelves with mirrors as a backing. It is optional but a great decorative feature to make a room look more spacious. Coffee Tables If you’re tempted to add a coffee table to the living room, I suggest leggy, glass tops, or light wood finishes. Dark and bulky coffee tables add heaviness to the space, and it takes away from trying to create spaciousness. Bigger is Better When you live in a small space don’t think small, think big! Large rugs, large mirrors, and large accessories help the area feel wider. If you were to use a tiny rug for the living room it would make the walls feel like it’s closing in. The reason for using a bigger carpet in a small room is because it helps to anchor the floor space. It doesn’t break it up into smaller sections but creates one large area that prevents your eyes from focusing on one small rug or carpet in the middle of the room. Make the Most of Nooks and Crannies If you have a space like a little nook, use it for practical purposes. Any extra space that you have should never go to waste... What you can do to provide functionality is add shelves to it. Floating shelves are a simple way to add appeal and improve storage. If you can’t drill into the walls, then opt for a small ladder shelf that can fit into the space. You can also use stackable storage bins and place them into a nook then cover the area with a small screen to keep it looking neat. Paint Colors Painting is a staple of decorating your home and in small spaces, don’t be afraid to be different. While the general rule is to stick to very light paint colors such as white and cream, it can often leave the room feeling stark. An interior design trend is the inclusion of dark walls in a gray or blue hue with white ceilings and trim. Then to decorate, you can incorporate bright accessories from scatter pillows to the artwork that will really pop against the backdrop. It is your preference, and you should always choose colors that you want to surround yourself with, but don’t go canary yellow or shocking pink! Radical colors are hard to cover when you get tired of it! Let's Move Onto the Practical Side of Design and Decor Will You Need Storage in the Living Room? We don’t think about storage when we decorate a living room. Most of us focus on where the TV will go, how to decorate the mantle, or where to place the sofa, but the practical side of design falls by the wayside. In a small room you don’t want to add a lot of furniture because the area quickly becomes cramped. So, you need to be creative and think about what you need to store in the room before you decide to purchase furniture. If the television isn’t going to be wall-mounted, then a slim entertainment unit elevated with feet including shelves, can work. You can also increase storage by using ottomans that could double up as seating. A long rectangular ottoman placed under a window is a great way to add storage with attractive seating. Think About Upcycled Décor Today’s living trend is about reusing and repurposing décor, so why not fill your home with some unique items that you’ve made with your very own hands? Indoor plants are inexpensive and make the most impact in living rooms. The good news is that you don’t have to stick to a regular fern or cactus, you can add a peace lily, orchid, delicious monster, or a variety of succulents for some green living. For more repurposing ideas to fill your home, you can check out our guide: The 3 R’s of DIY Decorating: Renovate, Refurbish, and Revitalize. Enjoy Your Space, No Matter How Small Not only can you incorporate our decorative and space-saving strategies for your living room but for your bedroom too! Multi-functional pieces and furniture with tapered legs are simple solutions for keeping the room airy and free-flowing. Your home is many things! It is your sanctuary, a place of entertainment, and it is security. By planning its design and décor you can easily make your small living room feel like a well-organized and cozy area that you can be proud of. Happy decorating!

Pets provide incredible companionship, but they can also be a major responsibility especially when living in an apartment. One of the biggest questions when it comes to pets and renting is whether you can keep a dog, cat, or even a bird in your complex? While apartments in the US have regulations concerning cat and dog ownership, it is important to get to know these requirements before you move into a new rental or before you decide to bring Fido home without first speaking to your landlord! Let’s look at the most common questions and concerns when it comes to renting an apartment with a pet. Are You Allowed to Keep Pets in Your Apartment? In the US, you are permitted to keep no more than 2 dogs or cats in an apartment while domestic animals such as hamsters, fish, or a small bird may be allowed. The reasons pets are strictly regulated in apartments are to prevent animals from becoming a nuisance to the neighbors, causing destruction of property, or posing a risk to the public. It also depends on the individual lease agreement. Some landlords don’t allow pets over 50 lbs while others won’t permit cats or dogs of any size from entering the property. Check your lease to determine whether you can have pets, the types of animals you’re allowed to house, and whether there are penalties for bringing a pet home before consulting with property management or the landlord. When searching for apartments to rent online, look at the features that are offered with the rental. The details should include the floor plan, number of bedrooms, and whether pets are allowed. If you are already living in a rental and you want to know whether you can bring a pet into the complex, this will have to be discussed with the landlord. Remember, if they do agree to a cat, dog, or other domestic animals, it may come with an extra charge on top of your rent. Also, changes to the lease should be recorded in a written contract and not merely a verbal agreement to protect you against harsh penalties down the line. Pet Restrictions in Apartments Either your lease doesn't allow any type of pet, or you could be allowed companion animals but within restrictions. Let’s look at the limitations concerning pets in complexes: Which Types of Pets are Allowed? Most landlords won’t allow large and heavy or “aggressive” breeds into apartments. They might not allow cats or birds such as a parrot that could make a lot of noise either. The types of pets you can keep will depend on the landlord and the rental policy. If you can’t find information about pets in your lease, contact your landlord to ask the necessary questions. We look at ways of proposing to keep a pet to your landlord a little later on. Are There Size Restrictions? Landlords might agree to cats and dogs but that doesn’t mean bringing a Great Dane into your complex! There will most likely be a weight limit on dogs. Limited Number of Pets Because of the size of an apartment and because you live in close proximity to others, you cannot have large numbers of pets even if it includes birds, hamsters, or small reptiles. Cats and dogs are limited to 1 or 2 per leaseholder (again depending on what your landlord permits) while restrictions on smaller animals will depend on the type of animal you want to bring into the home. Why It’s Important to Ask Your Landlord About Pets? You may not think of your little hamster running in his wheel as a liability, but landlords have to think about the risks of bringing animals into the residence. They have rules and regulations that govern pet keeping for your protection and that of other tenants. If you don’t speak to the landlord or check your lease and you decide to bring a dog or cat into the apartment, you could face a financial penalty, you could be requested to rehome the pet, or face eviction. Don’t take a chance! If you want to become a pet owner, read your lease or speak to the landlord about your options. You can also find apartments where pets are permitted. The Costs of Owning a Pet and Renting One factor that many renters fail to consider is the cost of owning a pet. Apart from their food and basic care, you could be facing additional fees and deposits if you want to bring a furry member into your home. Landlords can issue the following fees for pet ownership: A Deposit Deposits for pets are not uncommon. Even apartments that accept dogs, cats, and other animals may request a down payment to cover the damages that could be caused by the pet. Property managers look for things like stains on floors and carpets, scratches on the wall or door, and even odors related to animals relieving themselves in the apartment. The repairs for these spoils will come from funds that are separate from your security deposit. Higher Monthly Rent This is a fee added to your monthly rent. You could be charged up to $100 extra per month so always get clarity on the extra costs involved in bringing a four-legged companion into an apartment. Convincing Your Landlord to Keep a Pet So, what happens if you have a cat or dog that has nowhere else to go and you want to move into an apartment with a clause that doesn’t allow pets? When there is a policy in the lease that prevents dog or cat ownership, it can be challenging to change the landlord’s mind but there are a few steps that you can take to try to get your furry family member approved on the lease: Create a Proposal Not the engagement kind! A proposal is about putting some information together to present to landlords concerning the importance of your pet, the situation you’re in, their general behavior, and how you take full responsibility for their care. Property owners want to know that the pet will be well-behaved so include proof of training and even testimonials from friends, family, and fellow members at training classes. You need to provide a convincing proposal that you have the most well-behaved and stellar pet to ensure they become a part of the lease! Provide Proof of Medical History Updated vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and perhaps a reference from your vet concerning pet health can go a long way to providing landlords with peace of mind. Prepare for the Costs If they decide to amend the lease and include your pet, prepare for the extra fees. Adding pets does not come cheap so expenses to add to your monthly bill will include your general living expenses, regular rent, and rent for pets. You will also have to keep your dog, cat, or other domestic animals well-groomed, vaccinated, and have regular vet checks to maintain their health. Now that we know a little bit more about the legal side of pet ownership while renting your home, let’s look at ways to keep them healthy, happy, and avoid nuisance behavior that could complicate your tenancy! Caring for Pets in Apartments – How to Avoid Pet-Related Problems A major problem with having a dog or even a cat in an apartment is complaints. You could have a sweet-natured dog or a gentle cat but when you aren’t home during the day, they could whine so loudly and persistently that it irritates the neighbors. Unfortunately, if your pet causes a noise disturbance, bites, or scratches another tenant, or becomes a risk to someone else’s pet, you could be issued a warning to resolve the issue. If it goes unresolved, then you could get an eviction notice. Because apartments offer less square footage than a house with a garden, you have to put more time and effort into raising a healthy dog and even a cat. Cats will need a clean litter box and perhaps a small area with some plants (maybe some catnip) where they can relax. Young felines should be stimulated with toys to keep them busy, and sterilizing goes a long way to preventing territorial behavior such as marking the walls and floors. Dogs need a different regime. They have to be exercised including playtime and socialization. Let’s look at steps to care for your pooch with an apartment lifestyle: 1. Social Skills Even if you own a Chihuahua, every dog has to be socialized to prevent any risks with children, the public, neighbors, and other animals. Taking them for training and basic obedience helps with discipline but socialization with other people and pets is your best bet at preventing threats. 2. Exercise Depending on the activity level and age of your dog, they’re going to need exercise. If you have a young spaniel, you may have to walk them twice a day to avoid issues of pent-up energy. Stress and boredom are the primary reasons dogs act up and some can become so frustrated that they tear up the apartment along with your furniture. You’ll find that most problems such as whining, barking, or scratching at furniture are relieved when your dog gets enough exercise. 3. Toys Don’t leave dogs alone without anything to keep them stimulated. Toys are the best way to keep them occupied when you spend hours away from home. 4. Stick to a Schedule Dogs and cats can do very well when provided with a routine. It creates stability and security in their home. Stick to times for walks, feeds, and social time to make it easier for them to adjust. 5. Discipline If you see your dog scratching up the door or your cat climbing up the curtains, stop these behaviors immediately with a firm NO! Don’t allow undesirable habits to form because it becomes extremely hard to break and could compromise your tenancy. Renters Insurance and Pets It is important to understand that renters insurance will only cover damage or loss to your personal belongings which excludes pets. If something happens to a pet when you are away from your apartment, your renter's insurance won’t cover any cost. You’ll need to consider pet insurance and its scope of cover to determine whether it is worth it. The Landlord Approved the Pet but It’s Excluded in the Lease If landlords agree to allow the pet, the lease must be amended to reflect this decision. Don’t sign a lease with pet exclusions based on a verbal agreement. What It Means When Pets are Permitted If you’re looking at apartments and you come across “pets permitted” it means that pets are allowed. Remember, just because the apartment is dog-friendly, it doesn’t mean that there are no rules to abide by. First, learn about the regulations concerning keeping pets and becoming a tenant. Once you are aware of the rules and you can adhere to these, you can move forward with your application and lease. You Can Be Happy with Pets in Apartments With some research, a closer look at your lease, and speaking to your landlord, you can successfully introduce pets into your apartment lifestyle. Always think about the long-term commitment when you rent with pets. Many people who cannot afford to rent their homes or fail to abide by the lease will end up handing their fur companions to a humane shelter. Consider the costs and the legal aspects of pet rent and you could share your best days with your animal friends.

You’re interested in affordable housing but can’t seem to find what you’re looking for in your city or state? This begs the question, is affordable housing available in every city in the US? Whether you want to learn more about an affordable home, or you’re actively looking to house yourself and your family in a low-income rental, we look at affordable housing options and where to find an income-compatible property to suit your needs. What Exactly is Affordable Housing? Affordable housing is defined as homes that can be afforded by a sectional community or group of people who fall below the median income for the state. According to this definition, you can see that housing affordability will differ depending on the state you live in because of differences in median income. *Median income is defined as dividing the median income of a population into two. One half earns above the amount while the other half earns below the same amount. Affordable homes and apartments have remained a hot topic in the US because of the ongoing demand for them. It is not a secret that affordable homes are in short supply. From 2018 to 2019, the National Low Income Housing Coalition released a report indicating that minimum wage earners were simply unable to afford a standard two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the US. Thousands of people in the US are affected by ongoing housing debacles and that includes low-income earners and cost-burdened households. Research shows us that half of the renting population in the country are considered cost-burdened, spending over 30 percent of their earnings on their monthly rent. And surprisingly affordability is not only affecting people in traditional neighborhoods but also those living along the coast. One of the problems with affordable housing is that the growth rate of properties across the nation is doubling compared to the rate at which wages are increasing. This makes it harder for households to afford their rent in homes they might have been staying in for years. These factors are part of the reason that the need for affordable apartments and homes to rent has increased. Let’s take a look at the rentals that fall within the low-income or affordable housing category. What are Your Options for Affordable Housing in the US? There are many types of affordable homes, which can be confusing when looking at the rentals that are available to you. Subsidized housing, previously known as Section 8, is income-based per household and includes government-issued “housing vouchers” that are used to subsidize all or part of the rent. Affordable homes are available for those who fall below the state or city’s median income so future tenants can expect a monthly rent that is suitable for their income. You can learn more about the different types of affordable rentals by visiting Affordable Housing Help for Families. We provide a breakdown of low-income renting and what to expect from qualifying housing. Is Affordable Housing in Every City? The main question that individuals and households want the answer to is, can one can expect affordable or low-income homes in every state? Out of the 50 states in the US, only around 15 offer more than 46 affordable homes or rentals. In total, there are 37 low-cost rentals available per 100 low-income qualifying households. Each region offers some type of economical rental for interested tenants with states such as Texas and Arizona providing the lowest number of affordable housing options. It is also important to remember that low cost or affordable renting is determined by the state median income. This median rate will differ between regions, so the best way to determine affordability is to consider the number of ‘affordable rentals’ available, the median income for the city, and the general cost of living. These factors can go a long way to helping you find a qualifying house or apartment that is better suited to your finances and lifestyle. The Problem with Limited Low-Cost Housing Availability Let’s say that you work in California but your salary has been cut owing to poor company performance. You consider affordable housing to provide for your family, but the state offers the lowest rates of available economic rentals. This scenario places such an individual in a difficult position. Do you up and move to find cost-effective rentals or do you try to fight becoming cost-burdened and carry the risk of not affording your rent? When there is insufficient housing supply, it places many individuals and their families in challenging circumstances. Alternatives to Low-Cost Housing Alternatives to pursuing low-income renting include rent assistance programs. Rent assist is offered by the government and federal housing services with the purpose of helping those who have fallen on hard times and are at risk of losing their homes. It is a temporary measure, but for some, it could mean the difference between living in an affordable home or facing the consequences of eviction. Let’s take a closer look at the top rates states offering affordable housing. The Top 10 States for Affordable Housing To determine which states provide the best low-cost and economical rental solutions, you need to understand the median income for the state, the cost of living, and factors such as home loan interest rates and the performance of property values. These will help you assess overall affordability including the rates at which rent increases in response to surrounding property value. States qualifying as offering affordable homes to rent in 2019 include: 10. South Dakota 9. Michigan 8. West Virginia 7. Oklahoma 6. North Dakota 5. Nebraska 4. Pennsylvania 3. Indiana 2. Ohio 1. Iowa Nebraska is described as a state offering improved equality among income levels while Iowa received the top rank for both low-cost housing and a more affordable cost of living. Other states where you can also find apartments to rent include Tennessee offering an average of 47 affordable rentals per 100 low-income families, and Mississippi providing around 61 affordable homes for every 100 low-cost households. Finding a home, you can afford takes some time and research but with comparisons of rent and the cost of living, you are sure to find the right home to suit your needs. Can I Find Low-Income Rentals in Good Neighborhoods? There are two types of affordable housing. One where you’ll find apartments in outlying areas or less desirable neighborhoods and another where low-income properties are available to rent in decent areas, close to schools and other amenities. It all depends on your affordability and where you are looking to rent. Although the affordable housing stereotype remains rife; modern developments provided by interested investors are seeing a transformation in the way low-cost homes look and are treated. Dedication to tenants has been prioritized including the safety of the community and the residents. The Government is also focused on developing property closer to popular areas in the city making it easier for more people to access homes they can afford in areas they want to live in. Until then, only with an exploration of the different types of properties available can you find a place to live that will relieve your financial stress and pressure. The Importance of Housing Affordability Who should consider affordable housing to rent? · You are living paycheck to paycheck · You cannot manage your rent and living expenses · You’re cost-burdened · You’re concerned you cannot keep up with rent and you’ll be evicted These and many other factors are important reasons to consider what an affordable rental can do for you and your family. Whether you rent a low-cost home for the next year or three years, use the opportunity to overcome financial challenges. You may be surprised at what you can save to buy a house even on a low income. It’s about doing what you need to today, to secure your future tomorrow. Do You Qualify for an Affordable Place to Rent? Low income and affordable housing are all about how much you earn. If you fall below the median income for your state and you need assistance, you could qualify for the many rent assistance programs offered through government and not-for-profit organizations. You could also qualify if you currently spend more than 30% of your income on rent and are considered cost-burdened. To learn more about qualifying criteria, check out: Affordable Housing: Do I Qualify? Making the Right Move Renting a home shouldn't leave you cost-burdened and it certainly shouldn't keep you up at night. If you need to move to a place you can afford, carefully research your options from local neighborhoods to amenities, and how you can save for your future.

You’re approaching the end of your lease, so your next concern is passing your move-out or final inspection. While the easiest way to stay on top of your apartment is to maintain it throughout the course of your tenancy, sometimes life gets in the way, or you just can’t find the time to clean those carpet stains or fix the hole in the wall. That’s why we’re here to help you with 10 hacks you can use to get your apartment spotless and to ensure that you pass your move-out inspection with flying colors. What is a Move Out Inspection and Why Does It Matter? Apartment inspections are important because it helps you as the tenant preserve your security deposit and it helps the landlord maintain their business. The lease agreement will provide details concerning periodic and end-of-lease inspections. Because move-out inspections are only performed once tenants vacate the premises, can you imagine if the landlord is left with a dirty and damaged apartment that they have to fix before they can get a tenant to move in? It could take weeks to restore and would mean lost revenue and time for the property owner. For landlords to protect themselves against the costs of cleaning and repairing apartment interiors, they use your security deposit. If the apartment is not up to standard meaning that it has damage, it is dirty, or you’ve left your belongings and garbage behind, then the landlord will use your deposit to cover the costs of getting the unit ready for the next renter. Ultimately, your inspection is important because it helps to secure your deposit, it puts you in a better light with your former landlord, and it could earn you a good recommendation for future rentals. When is a Landlord Inspection Done? Only once the tenant has moved out of the property will the landlord perform the assessment of the apartment. Both the landlord and the tenant will walk through the property together to look for any damages, alterations, or dirt. For periodic inspections performed during the course of the tenancy, landlords should provide at least 24 hours' notice before they can enter the property. While an end-of-tenancy inspection comes with every rental apartment, check your lease to determine whether periodic inspections can be performed by the landlord. Which Areas Do Landlords Focus On? Landlords will look at the fixtures of the interior because these are the most expensive to repair or replace. The taps in the bathroom and kitchen, wall-to-wall carpets, door handles, light fittings, any built-in appliances, and the general condition of the floors. If the furniture was in the apartment when you first moved in and a part of your rental agreement, but you’ve placed it in storage, these items need to be returned and set in place for the inspection. The landlord will inspect the walls to ensure that there aren’t any holes or scratches. If you have knocked a nail or two into the wall, it will have to be fixed before the inspection. If not, the landlord has the right to issue you with the cost for repair which usually comes out of your security deposit. Fixing Damages If you have stained the carpet, scuffed the floor, or haven’t replaced the broken tap, these could all result in penalties when the apartment is inspected. As soon as the damage occurs during your tenancy, you should get it fixed to avoid the high costs of repair at the end of your lease. If something such as a leaking tap starts during your tenancy, notify your landlord so it can be repaired before you move out. You don’t want to be penalized for fixtures that are not your responsibility in the first place. All properties suffer from some form of wear and tear especially over the course of a year with regular traffic but there are certain types of damages that can be avoided. One of the most common reasons tenants lose part or all of their deposit is because of stains in the carpet. Stained carpets can be hard to fix if it hasn’t been properly cleaned the moment it got dirty. For really tough spots you may have to call a professional carpet cleaning service. Weigh the pros and cons and look at what would be more cost-effective; getting the carpet specialists in, replacing the carpet, or losing part of your security deposit. Should You Hire a Professional Cleaner? End-of-tenancy cleaners are popular choices for apartments because they specialize in getting every room ready for inspection. Professional cleaning companies scrub the floors, tackle stains, and shine the fixtures. Their role is to restore the apartment to its move-in condition. While you can hire cleaning companies if you don’t have the time for maintenance, with a little bit of elbow grease and help from family you can give the apartment interiors a deep clean and save money. If You Have a Garden and Balcony For small gardens, trim the grass, remove weeds, and empty any pots with wilted or lifeless plants. If you’ve placed pot plants on the balcony or patio, move the pots to check for stains caused by the base. If the surface is stained, scrub with a compatible cleaning solution to remove the stain. 10 Cleaning Steps to Pass Your Final Inspection Now that you know how important your end-of-tenancy inspection is, it’s time to create a checklist and jot down exactly what you need to focus on to pass it. Let’s look at the most important cleaning hacks for your apartment: 1. Clean the Baseboards We seldom pay attention to the baseboards when cleaning our homes, but over time, dirt, dust, and grime can get trapped in the grooves or discolor the surface. Simply take warm soapy water with a sponge and wipe away dirt. If you’ve chipped any of the paint off, touch it up before the landlord comes to have a look. 2. Clean the Bathtub and Basin The bathtub can discolor very quickly because of stains. Clean the tub and the vanity with a mild detergent. Do not use bleach as this will damage any metal plugs and drains. Use a soft sponge and not a wire brush even if you come across tough stains. Harsh applications will damage the bath and then you’re in a very big predicament! 3. Wash the Windows Many tenants forget about cleaning the windows and the frames. Don’t let your landlord be picky about the condition of the frames! Wipe it down, remove any signs of mold, and leave the surface sparkling. 4. Remove Dust From the top of pendant light fittings to ceiling fans, take a soft cloth and simply wipe off the dust that has settled on these hard-to-reach places. 5. Clean the Kitchen Because the kitchen is such a valuable space in any property, landlords and listing agents pay careful attention to the taps, the countertops, and appliances such as the microwave and dishwasher during inspections. 6. Clean the Oven From the stovetop to the inside of the oven, take the time to get these features looking as good as new. Remove burned food and grease and only use a compatible oven cleaner to prevent damaging the dials or the inside of the appliance. 7. Clean the Carpets For carpets that have odors, you can apply an odor-neutralizing powder, but stains need to be carefully treated. If you use the wrong type of cleaning agent, you can bleach the carpet so if you aren’t sure how to remove the stain it is best to call on a professional to clean it for you. 8. Vacuum and Remove the Trash If there is still furniture in the apartment, move these items so you can vacuum the dust and dirt that have accumulated underneath it. Along with a deep vacuum, all bags of garbage should be disposed of and any trash inside the apartment removed. 9. Fix Holes If you are going to repair a hole in the wall yourself, think very carefully about performing a seamless job. If you cannot complete a successful DIY then you’ll need to call on drywall repair services or an experienced handyman who can fix it for you. 10. Wipe the Walls Marks and dirt can easily discolor the walls or leave dark patches across the surface. This can create an impression that you’ve stained the walls. Scrub it with a soapy solution so you can avoid any penalties. See It From the Landlord’s Perspective Landlords want a clean space they can quickly and easily present to their new tenants. Not only is the landlord left in a bind when the apartment is dirty and disorganized, but they have to go to extra costs to get it cleaned and delay new tenants moving in. Even if you believe that a spot on the floor or a scuff on the bath are small nuisances, your landlord may think otherwise. Clean it to remove all the dirt and create a positive impression. What if You’re Issued a Penalty? Once the final inspection is conducted and you believe that you’ve thoroughly cleaned the interior but the landlord presents a charge for cleaning, you can ask them what the fee is for. The fee should describe exactly what needs to be restored and give you the option to tackle these areas yourself or pay the charge to get someone to clean and fix it for you. Clean with Confidence When you clean with confidence you take pride in what you do. By investing some time and effort into your final inspection clean you can avoid losing your security deposit. Remember that passing a final inspection is about cleanliness, organization, and restoring any apartment alterations to their original condition. It will go a long way to helping your landlord and improving your future rental recommendations.

When you find yourself walking into your sofa or shuffling past your bed, it’s time to rethink your furniture. Investing in some new, functional pieces for your small apartment can do wonders for the appearance of your interior and your overall mood. Look at it this way, you can’t change the apartment, so the best way to create more space is to get smart with your furniture choices. The great thing about furnishing your apartment is that you’re in control of your budget and what you need to create the space you want. So, whether you’ve just moved into a small apartment or you’re thinking of saving on rent by cutting back on square footage, the following guide can help you pick the best styles of furniture to make it work. Let’s start by looking at what is considered a small apartment and how new furniture can improve your space, your comfort, and your life. How Small is a Small Apartment? Today’s apartments are getting smaller which means that we need to know how we can live smarter. There’s nothing wrong with a tiny apartment and with a few practical changes in the design and layout of furniture, it can become a cozy and comfortable space. Small apartments are considered 500 square feet or less. Some micro-apartments are around 300 square feet, so you’ll really need to know how to work with each room to create practical living areas. If you have a small rental and you’re having trouble getting organized, create space, or flow then it’s time to rethink your furniture and its placement. What Can Furniture Do to Improve Your Living Quarters? The reason for rethinking your furniture in a small space is because certain styles of décor can create a cramped apartment. Smaller apartments can become cluttered quickly. When you place large items of furniture into a room that is already narrow or lacks square footage, simple things like moving around the apartment without bumping into the sofa or table or having the pieces you enjoy inside your home can be achieved when you pick functional items that are designed for a small house or apartment. The Best Styles of Furniture for a Small Apartment If you need more space or you need more storage in your apartment, we look at the top styles of furniture for the small apartment. 1. The Living Room Your living room is where you relax and entertain your guests so if you can barely move around, it makes the room feel cramped and unpleasant. It also prevents you from adding items such as a coffee table, dresser for storage, or accessories because you just don’t have enough floor space. Because the sofa is a staple in the living room, there are certain styles that you should consider for smaller areas. Sofas that work best in a tiny living room have thin or visible legs, slim arms, and a low back. Legs lift the sofa off the floor making it feel like a free-flowing space compared to the chunkier flat bases. It also makes the living room easier to clean because you won’t have to move a heavy sofa to clean under it. Convertible sofas are popular choices for one-bedroom apartments because it offers guests a place to sleep without having to turn your home upside down! Another quick tip for choosing your sofa is to pick a neutral shade of fabric. Patterned sofas will draw your eye straight to it every time you enter the room which makes the area feel congested. For more tips and styles of sofas, you can visit our Guide to Choosing a Sofa for Your Small Apartment. Coffee Tables Coffee tables are great additions to living rooms but when you don’t have enough space, should you skip these items completely? The good news is that even the tiniest apartments can have a coffee table, you just need to be creative with the style. If you have a really small space and you can’t get a coffee table to work, consider a sofa with flat top arms that are broad enough to allow you to place a coaster and rest your glass safely on top of it. Alternatively, you can use a sidetable to place next to a sofa for your morning coffee or extras. If you have enough floor space in the living room, choose glass tabletops or light wood and pine materials. You could also incorporate contemporary coffee tables that are designed with metal frames or vertical shapes. Try to keep the color selection neutral because it makes a room lighter and brighter. Ottomans An ottoman can serve as a coffee table, an extra seat, and it offers storage. It comes in different sizes, fabrics, and shapes so you’re sure to find one to suit your living space. Table Floor Lamp with Tray Combining luxury with practicality, the table floor lamp with tray is a slim design and the perfect addition to a small room in need of some extra light. 2. The Bedroom The bedroom is your private room and should be functional so you can avoid stress and simply relax. Even in a small bedroom, the organization can become tricky, and your furniture can make it feel even more cramped and difficult to move around in. When you have a tiny bedroom, you want some floor space, a fair amount of storage, and clutter-free conditions. To create a spacious feeling, you want to start with your bed. It is better to either remove the headboard or to go with something plain and simple that is also not oversized or too broad. Large and impressive headboards are certainly a luxury but for smaller rooms, it takes over and leaves the room feeling tiny. Pick your bedframe very carefully. Something like a sleigh bed looks great but it’s not a good idea for little rooms especially if you have side tables and dressers that you want to add. Another tip is to keep the bed quite low if possible. Tall legs on a bed frame with a thick mattress to add height creates a cramped feeling. You could get away with it if your apartment has very high ceilings but if not, rather give it a miss. If You Have Space for a Dining Room, Here’s What You Can Do Dining rooms are not common in small apartments but in most cases, you can use a nook or unused space in the kitchen or living room to make a little dining area. A round dining table with a light top or a glass surface is best for a tight or narrow space. Glass is always a winner in tiny apartments because it creates less bulk and improves clarity. Avoid tables with thick wooden legs that will add unwanted bulk and consider metal or slender frames. The same goes for the framework of the chairs. Slim and open designs including mesh or clear plastic chairs are light, breezy, and simply perfect. 3. The Kitchen and Bathroom The kitchen and bathroom are areas in the apartment that are most difficult to improve with furniture. If these are rooms that are important in your home, it is better to look for apartments with the space that you need. Pieces that work well in small spaces include a bathroom shelf organizer. It’s similar to the ladder shelf or wall bookcase but can be positioned over the toilet and against the wall. It also has a plastic coating to protect against moisture damage. You can also have a look at our guide on Increasing Storage in Your Small Apartment for more inspirational, space-saving, and affordable design solutions. The Following Types of Functional Furniture are the Most Popular for Small Spaces Wall Bookcase/Ladder Bookshelf Great for the bedroom, living room, or bathroom, the wall-mounted bookcase is a versatile and functional item of furniture that is all about saving space, vertically! It doesn’t require any wall fixtures so it’s the perfect choice for a small apartment. Room Dividers A small space such as a studio open often has one large living area making it difficult to keep the room organized. A room divider is a simple and convenient way to separate spaces. The slatted design also allows light through, so you won’t have to worry about creating dark zones. Tapered Furniture Any small space can benefit from furniture that has a slim framework and tapered design. Items with tapered legs create a feeling of spaciousness because it doesn’t cut sections off from your view of the room. Making your apartment feel larger is all about lifting furniture off the floor and the best way to achieve this is to purchase pieces that have slimmer tapered legs. Both wood and metal finishes will work but always consider the color. It should be light and neutral rather than dark and heavy. Think about how one piece can serve two or more purposes in your space. A bed with feet allows you to place storage baskets or containers underneath it, again removing clutter and creating organization. Alternatively, you can buy a bed frame with drawers allowing you to store goods without them being visible at all! Keep the Closet Organized Closets are an essential part of your home’s organization and storage but there are ways of maximizing space and getting more items off the floor. A hanging closet organizer is a simple way to store your clothes and personal accessories. For shoes, you can use a hanging shoe organizer. It gets more off the floor and reduces clutter but the best part is that it’s made of fabric so you can hang it amongst your clothing, or you can fold it and pack it away when you don’t need it. Corner Furniture Corner shelves and desks are perfect for small homes and offices. It’s designed to fit snugly into the corner of a room which means more floor space. Because corners are not always used within rooms, you can add a compatible desk or wall shelf to maximize the area. If you don’t want a permanent item of furniture in your room, you can opt for a desk on wheels. These pieces are fully mobile with enough surface area to create a neat workstation when you need it. Think About What You Need Do you need more storage, space, or organization? Thinking about ways you can make your apartment more functional can help you decide on the pieces you should invest in. For small apartments always think of light colors, tapered legs on desks, tables, and chairs, and ways to introduce storage. Closet organizers are cheap and effective but you could also use the space under your bed to get your belongings off the floor and out of sight. Invest in pieces such as a good sofa and a sturdy dresser with a vertical design to help create an illusion of spaciousness. With so many options for a space-saving interior, you can easily transform the look and feel of your small apartment into an incredible home.

Nobody wants to have debt but the rising cost of living and reliance on credit can leave us with outstanding bills and unexpected debt. The good news is that there are many ways to manage debt, each offering its own set of pros and cons. In this guide, we look at some of the most common debt management strategies you should consider for your financial situation. Remember, you don’t have to have bad credit or overwhelming debt to benefit from these tips. The purpose of our article is to present different ways you can manage and relieve your debt burden whether you’ve maxed out your credit card or trying to prevent a negative credit rating. Let’s start by understanding what it means to have debt and what you can do to improve your financial circumstances. *Please note, we are not an authorized financial services provider. The information provided is offered for general debt and credit management. If you need debt-related advice based on your personal financial situation, it is best to speak to a credit provider. What is Debt Management? Debt is defined as the money that is loaned from one party to another with the purpose of satisfying a financial need. Once a borrower is authorized to receive the funds, they will be issued some form of interest and a period within which to settle the debt. The most common types of debt include mortgages, car loans, personal loans, credit card bills, and accounts. Good Debt vs Bad Debt There is also a difference between good and bad debt... Good debt consists of the effective use of funds to build on personal wealth. This includes a mortgage, student debt, or loan consolidation. Bad debt includes purchases that lose value once secured. This includes a payday loan or vehicle loan. Secured vs Unsecured Debts An example of secured debt would be taking on a vehicle loan. If you cannot pay the debt, the lender has a type of collateral (the car) in which they can recover the outstanding finances. Unsecured debt does not involve any type of collateral or asset should the borrower default on the loan. If you do not pay the balance owed, the provider can issue a lawsuit to collect the outstanding funds. Now that we know a little bit more about debts, let’s start by looking at the different ways to relieve financial burdens and improve your credit rating. 1. Determine Exactly How Much Debt You Have and Compare It to Your Income and Expenses To start managing your debt you need to know who you owe, how much, and the interest charged on those accounts. Some providers offer special rates and terms for repayment so find out whether you can get an improved interest rate on how much you owe. By looking at your income and your expenses, you can also calculate just how much you can dedicate every month to each debt. You may be surprised to find that you can afford to pay a little bit more to each account helping to relieve your debt that much faster. You can also get an idea of how to split your payments so that all debts are covered at amounts and rates that you can afford. Nobody wants to sit and make a list of who they owe and how much, but understanding each repayment can help you move forward with a better financial plan. 2. Consolidated Personal Loan Once you’re aware of your total debts including interest, you can decide whether or not you’d want to consolidate it with a consolidated loan. Debt consolidation is the process of using one personal loan to pay off different debts so that you only have a single payment to make every month rather than multiple payments. Debt consolidation sounds like a great option but before you decide to tackle your money matters with a loan, consider both the pros and cons. Consolidated loans offer the convenience of settling debt faster so you can avoid late payments or the risk of negative credit. You’ll also have one payment to make each month making it easier to stay on top of your outstanding expenses. Depending on the debt and your credit rating, consolidating debts could offer access to better interest rates. On the downside, you still have debt you need to pay. Consolidated loans don’t erase or reduce debt, and if you can’t get a good interest rate (a negative credit rating might get in the way of positive interest), then this type of debt management strategy may not be the best course of action. 3. Look at What You Can Settle Quickly If you have more than one debt, another option is to look at which account or bill you can settle faster. Getting one type of debt paid in full while making affordable or minimum payments to the remaining accounts can help you reduce your debt minimize the impact on your credit and reduce ongoing financial pressure. Managing 2 accounts is certainly better than 3, but don’t stop making payments to one bill to settle another. 4. Negotiate with Creditors You could be paying too much interest on your accounts. This might sound odd because every service provider has its own rates and charges, but surprisingly, there are creditors who are willing to negotiate a better interest rate provided that you meet the monthly payment requirements. Don’t be afraid to call your creditor to discuss better interest on your accounts especially if you’ve been paying your bills on time. 5. The Best Way to Pay Off a Credit Card Your credit card has a major influence on your credit rating and your financial history. We know that credits cards can be incredibly useful for purchases when you don’t have the cash or don’t want to pay for goods or services using cash, but it can also be easy to max. A maxed credit card means higher interest rates on the repayments and if it isn’t settled within a certain period, it could lower your credit score. If we look at the average interest rate for credit cards, we see an annual percentage rate or APR of 18% for new cardholders and around 15% for existing account holders. The APR charges on a credit card work differently to annual interest rates. You don’t get charged interest per year on your card but rather daily, depending on your spending habits, and only if you have credit card debt on a monthly basis. The big question is, how do you pay off a credit card so that it doesn’t affect your FICO score or your future financial interests? The best way to avoid high interest rates on your credit card is to pay it in full by the end of every month. If you settle your bill by the end of the month (or the applicable billing cycle), you won’t be charged interest on your purchases. It is always a good idea to understand just how your credit card works so you can avoid high interest and penalties. There are cards that issue a specific interest rate for everyday purchases and another type of card that charges interest on a cash advance. The best step you can take to manage your finances is to learn how your credit card works concerning repayments and interest. Then, determine how much interest is charged and how it is calculated. This can help you stay on top of your repayments and your financial history. 6. Pay What You Can Afford We all want to resolve outstanding expenses quickly but it can’t work if we push so much cash into our debt that we’re left with nothing in our pockets or wallets by the end of the week or month. Think of how much you can afford to pay every month to settle the debt. If you have a high balance to settle, sticking to paying a little bit (the minimum requirement) every month, will go a long way to affordability and sound credit management. 7. Stay On Top of Interest Rates You take out a credit card only to find that the card’s interest rate will be going up in the next 3 to 4 months, what do you do? Look for a better deal! There’s no need to stick with a lender who is going to charge exorbitant interest and increase it in only a few months. The best step is to compare the different prices/rates based on your current financial history and to benefit from a better rate on an account. The Best Strategy for Paying Off Debt and Why It’s Important The best strategy for settling debt is to create a financial plan, pay what you can afford, and stay on top of the interest you’re charged. Consider your most pressing debts and develop a strategy based on your income and your expenses for each week and month. Finding ways of managing your finances more effectively can protect you from lowering your credit rating. Remember that debt can create many restrictions when it comes to your financial and long-term goals. It makes it impossible to get approved for a loan to buy a car, take on a mobile contract, or rent an apartment. If you were to apply for a mortgage or home loan, you’d either get presented with a higher interest or approval for a partial bond. For many, the reality is no mortgage approval until finances are improved. Having to pay bills or work on a financial plan to settle debts can also prevent you from having the extra cash to do the things you enjoy. It makes it difficult to afford a holiday you’ve always wanted or to build financial savings so that you have a nest egg you can use one day. We know how rising bills, negative credit, and bankruptcy can lead to frustration, stress, and many challenges in your life. That’s why considering debt management strategies can help you find a plan or approach that works for your needs and budget today, tomorrow, and for the future.