Saving Money by Renting an Apartment

For many renters the possibility of using a rental situation to save money is a foreign idea. These renters often bemoan the fact that they have to rent a property rather than purchase a property because they feel as though not owning the property is basically throwing money away each month. However, this is not entirely true. While there are certainly benefits to homeownership and building equity homeowners can also benefit financially by renting an apartment rather than purchasing a home.

While it is certainly true that money spent each month on rent does not get the renter any closer to homeownership while each monthly mortgage payment makes the homeowner one step closer to owning the property completely. However, this is not the whole story. Renters should also consider the amount of money they will be able to save annually for the purpose of purchasing a home by living in a rental property right now.

A Smaller Apartment Can Lead to a Bigger House

Some would be homeowners find renting a small apartment can allow them to start saving for the purpose of purchasing a house in the future. Renters who are willing to sacrifice comfort now and stay in the smallest apartment possible will likely be able to save the most money towards purchasing a home.

In general the monthly rent for an apartment is based on a value per square foot. This value may vary slightly from one property to the next but is likely to be very similar in properties in the same general area. This means apartments which are smaller in terms of square footage are likely to be less expensive overall. Therefore renters who would normally feel more comfortable and able to spread out might opt for a smaller apartment just so they can begin saving more money for their home purchase.

Budget Wisely to Save Money

Renters who want to save money for the purchase of a home while renting an apartment should understand their monthly rent is not the only factor which may prevent them from saving money while they rent. For example entertainment costs should carefully be considered when a renter is trying to save money. Most rental properties have a fully equipped kitchen making it ideal for the renter to prepare meals at home as opposed to going out to eat. Renters who cut down on eating dinner out may find they are able to save quite a bit of money each year.

Likewise renters who are spending an excess amount of money on superfluous items may have difficulty saving for a house while renting an apartment. Examining all current monthly expenditures can help the renter to determine where there is the potential for financial savings. Making changes such as debt consolidation may be one way to decrease monthly bills but this is certainly not the only solution. Renters can make other changes such as canceling subscriptions to premium movie channels, minimizing cell phone plans to include only the amount of minutes used each month and making changes to insurance plans to result in an overall savings. Changes to insurance plans may include having your car and renter’s insurance covered by the same carrier. Many carriers offer discounted services to renters who are willing to bundle their services. All of these slight changes can help to enable a renter to save money for a home purchase in the future.

Signs of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is an insidious disease that takes over a person’s life and clouds their world in a fog of problems and struggles. The signs of drug addiction are many and varied depending on what type of drug is being abused.

Different drugs affect people in different ways. For example, marijuana may make a person appear spaced out and distant while amphetamines will appear hyper and upbeat. Some people are more prone to addiction as some drugs are more likely to bring about an addiction than others.

If you have been using drugs and are concerned that you may have an addiction, look for the following signs:

* An increase or decrease in appetite, changes in eating habits, or a sudden weight loss
* Changes in personality with no other identifiable cause
* Loss of interest in activities you used to find enjoyable
* Difficult in paying attention or forgetfulness
* Lack of motivation and energy
* Fitful sleep
* Paranoia
* Trouble with managing money
* Inability to stop using your drug of choice
* Excessive pre-occupation with your drug supply
* Doing things you normally wouldn’t do if not on the drug
* Use of drugs despite health problems or warnings
* Change in personal grooming habits like showering and changing clothes

The signs of drug addiction in others are similar to those listed above. You can also look for the following indicators as well:

* Smell of substance on clothes (e.g. marijuana, chemicals)
* Sudden need for privacy
* Violent temper or bizarre behavior
* Secretive or suspicious behavior
* Defensiveness or excessive laziness
* Unusual effort to cover up legs and arms
* Unexplained silliness or giddiness
* Drop in school or work performance
* Changes in friends
* Extreme hyperactivity or excessive talktativeness

If you notice any of these signs, a drug addiction could very well be present. It’s important that these signs are not ignored and that help is sought for either you or a loved one. The longer a drug addiction lasts, the more damage it can do to the mind and body, so getting help for the addiction is the best course of action.

It’s certainly easier to simply ignore any possibility that a drug addiction exists, but when you see the signs, it should become clear that there is a problem. Once the problem is identified, it can effectively be tackled and overcome – with the right treatment. Looks for the signs of drug addiction and then face the problem. It’s the only way you can win the fight!