Why I Decided to Stay in My Studio Apartment
I wasn't giving up, but I did want to see what the management company offered me this year. The economy and rental market worsened, which turned out to be to my advantage, because the management company offered me a rent freeze. That's exactly what I asked for last year. Staying in my studio means I could bank my raise of $100/mo take home pay, and save the additional $100/mo for a bigger apartment. Given the $200/mo savings and the incomparable condition of my studio, I decided to stay another year.
To refresh the apartment, I did a few little updates as you've seen from recent posts, and got a lot of bang for very little buck.
August. It Was Really Busy.
My sister got a promotion! I don't know the details, yet, but she works like a dog, and totally deserves some recognition. Meanwhile, I went back to work as scheduled with my primary client, and all is well on that front.
And, tonight, I'm going to Taste of Polonia .
Have a good Labor Day weekend!
Two Recent Decorating Projects Completed for $13
I bought this Pack of 25 Black and Cream Damask Cutouts for $11 on Amazon, and put them on my kitchen cabinets, above. I also made these stars for the bedroom. The black paper cost $2 from the new Michaels at 3131 N. Clark.
Buying Kind Bars from Amazon is Cheaper
**Updated. Original post from 3/8/2010.
I really love the Almond, Walnut & Macadamia bars from Kind. You can get them at Jewel on sale for around $1.70 (plus tax)... if you're lucky. Recently, it occurred to me that maybe I could buy boxes of them on Amazon for less. Oh my gosh, they're SO MUCH CHEAPER on Amazon! I got two boxes of 12 for
By the way, I also looked at Drugstore.com, too, but Amazon was just a little cheaper.
How to Move to Chicago
A few facts...
According to Sperling's Best Places, these cities are more expensive than Chicago: San Fran, NYC, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and DC.
Chicago has the highest sales tax in the United States, even with the recent .5% cut: 9.75%
Average price of regular, unleaded gas: $2.94/gal, regular unleaded (July 2010)
The best way to find an apartment?
The Reader or Craigslist. You can also try the “free” apartment services. An agent will take you out in his/her car to look for a place. These companies will charge you a finder’s fee of $200-$300 if you take one of the apartments they show you.
Cheap rents and rental advice?
I checked the Reader, where I’ve always found the best deals. Live-able apartments in decent neighborhoods can be found at these rates, heat included:
Studio: $600-$700
1 BRM: $750
2 BRM: $1,200
3 BRM: $1,450-$1,500
It’s a renter’s market right now, so please negotiate! Many management companies are taking action, reducing $15-$20/mo from the advertised price to further entice a potential tenant. Management companies are also changing their policies regarding security deposits. Some ask for $250-$350 in non-refundable “move-in” fees, instead.
Cheapest safe neighborhoods?
Most common to entertainment industry folks just starting out are Andersonville and Wicker Park. Also try Lincoln Square, Wrigleyville, and Albany Park. Be near a grocery store: Jewel, Dominick’s, Aldi’s.
Transportation?
You’re a performer, student, etc.? Forget your car. We have plenty of trains and buses. Live off the Red or Blue lines and you’ll be fine. The Brown line is safe, but may be inconvenient if you frequently travel after Midnight.
How much money should I save before I move?
I recommend 4 months of your projected
What about jobs?
The unemployment rate in Chicago was 10.6% for June. No industry has been spared job losses. If you're an artist, try the temp agencies first, then the papers -- Tribune, Sun Times, Reader. I also suggest you walk around your neighborhood and look for businesses that are hiring.
If you're working under a temp agency, you can leave with very little notice should you land something better or more permanent, and that's the advantage. The Larko Group is often advertised in PerformInk. I was a Kelly girl myself for a number of years.
How do I break into the entertainment industry?
That's a post of a different color, but I can tell you that print ads, commercials, and television series are non-existent right now, and feature film shoots are sporadic, even though we renewed our tax incentive. Also, Oprah and Bonnie Hunt are leaving, which means the Chicago job market will soon be swimming in highly qualified television workers.
Other advice?
Get yourself the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago. And read my other posts:
Home Goods, Reasonably Priced
While tooling around yesterday, I stumbled upon Home Goods , 2731 N. Elston Avenue. I was particularly impressed with their lamp section. I ended up buying a new rug for $20 and a soap dish for $6. Way cheaper than what I found at Bed, Bath & Beyond, even with coupons, or Cost Plus, World Market, and more selection than a TJ Maxx or Marshall's.
Countybank Dumped My Interest Rate. Now What?
Well, Countybank brutally cut my interest rate on my Kasasa checking account last month. Now, I'm happily at Danversbank. The only difference in the rewards requirements is that I need 12 debit card transactions instead of ten. Hey, no problem. I'm right back at a 4% interest rate, and glad of it.
My Credit Score from Quizzle is 710
And, this is up 13 points from 6 months ago. So, why isn't my credit score higher? I already know the answer.
- This year I opened the Schwab Invest First credit card. Then, I closed my American Express Blue Cash card. BOTH of those actions made a negative impact.
- I also just opened a new rewards checking account at Danversbank. As they were considering me for approval, they pulled my credit report, which also lowered my score.
- I've never had a car loan or mortgage. Those items increase your score... if paid in a proper fashion.
My Sister Gets a Raise!
Chicago: cheap! in Festival of Frugality #232