Odds are that you already have a long list of items that you want to purchase before moving into your first apartment. You are going to need a new couch, a beer pong table and a flat screen TV. Some new speakers would be nice, and don’t forget a grill for the back porch.
While you already have a list of things that are going to make your new apartment the “best apartment ever!” there are a few comforts of home that you may have forgotten about. Before you move, pick up a few of these items that every apartment needs.
1. First Aid
No one thinks about buying bandages and first aid supplies until it’s too late. When you lived with mom, first aid just seemed to appear out of nowhere. Whether you had a paper cut or needed an ice pack, whatever you needed was ready to go. In your own apartment, that’s not how it works. Before moving into your new place, pick up a few ice packs and a box of bandages. You never know when you are going to need them, and your roommates will split the cost.
2. Spices
If you plan on doing any actual cooking you are going to need more than ketchup to produce a home cooked meal. Salt and Pepper are a given, but most college apartments don’t have either. The other spice you should have on hand at all times is garlic. It can go into almost anything as long as you don’t overdo it. The other spices you buy have more to do with your personal tastes and what you plan on cooking. Try a few different kinds. Dried spices are cheap and chances are it won’t totally ruin the meal if you try a new flavor combination.
3. Tools
Even if you’ve never built or fixed anything in your life you should have a decent tool set of tools in your apartment. It’s amazing how much cash, time and frustration you can save yourself by having the tools you need to do minor jobs on your own. Whatever you do, never buy brand new tools. For the price of one brand new screwdriver set you can get a full tool box at the garage sale down the street. You won’t notice the difference.
4. Emergency Supplies
When planning for your first apartment, did you think about how many flashlights you are going to need, and how many packs of batteries to buy to power them? Most of us don’t think about how we are going to deal with power outages, issues with the water supply or natural disasters, but these minor emergencies happen all the time. By having just a small stock of emergency supplies on hand you and your roommates will be taken care of no matter what disasters you may face.
Author Bio: Kenny Soto is a writer for the blog at MyMove.com. For more tips on moving into your first apartment, finding great roommates or staying safe during a power outage visit My Move today.
