Living in the city can be expensive if you are not careful. Even if you live in one of Live Easy’s affordable housing apartments in Pretoria, there are several savvy strategies that you should keep in mind to ensure that your life in the city is successful and enjoyable.
Invest In Multifunctional Furniture
If you can, attempt to invest in furniture that serves multiple functions. This can help you save on space and ensure that your home’s functional space is maximised.
An example of the type of furniture that can help you achieve this is a sofa that can convert into a bed, or a coffee or dining room table that has storage space or drawers built in underneath. Other examples could be ottomans that double as storage trunks or bathroom mirrors that double as cabinets.
Although some apartments to rent are already furnished, you can still add a few upgrades of your own to maximise the utility of the space.
Plan Your Meals
Nothing is quite as expensive as eating out every night of the week. Not only is it expensive, but regular takeouts can be extremely unhealthy and contribute to an expanded waistline. The Solution? Plan your meals carefully and buy your groceries in bulk where possible to lower your grocery bill.
It is a good idea to cook your food at home in large batches and then freeze meals in advance. Not only does this save you money, but it also helps you save time and have better control over your diet.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Where possible, employ energy-efficient appliances or other tools to reduce your energy bills and minimise your environmental impact. Examples might be installing LED light bulbs throughout your apartment or using thick blackout curtains to regulate the temperature inside and block out unnecessary sunlight when needed. This can reduce your apartment’s heating and cooling costs.
You might also want to invest in a better-quality duvet for your bed so that your heating costs are reduced during the winter.
In addition to using energy-efficient appliances and tools, you can also practice energy-efficient habits, such as turning off lights when not in use and turning off devices like TVs, gaming consoles, microwaves, and computers to avoid the phantom power drain that they cause.
Don’t Be Afraid of Pawn Shops and Online Markets
Wherever possible, look for good deals on furniture, clothing, and other household items. Secondhand stores, thrift stores, or pawn shops such as Cash Crusaders, as well as online marketplaces, can be excellent sources for finding affordable used items in good condition that can transform your home and give you a leg up without emptying the bank.
In many cases, you can find excellent secondhand items for a fraction of the price of something new.
To get everything that the city has to offer and more, become a tenant at one of Live Easy’s housing apartments in Pretoria. Contact us now to apply.