Time Out, Randolph Street, and a Big Move

Don't hate me!  I know last week I was supposed to finish up The Big Move posts, but I got caught up!  First off, I had to get our apartment ready for our newest press...a House Call in Time Out Chicago!  We're so happy to be featured.  Unfortunately, we're still working on the two bedrooms so the pictures are only of the main house, but hopefully we'll have them ready to share soon.  The best part of the feature?  JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is on the cover!!!  I have a mega crush on Justin and am not ashamed to say that I have a JT marionette doll form his NSync "Bye Bye Bye" days.  Just think, one day I could be in the same ROOM as Justin and we could talk about the Time Out piece!  For the full article or to see more pictures, click here.

Copyright Time Out Chicago

Copyright Time Out Chicago

After the House Call, it was time to get ready for the Randolph St. Market.  The weather was nice but the sun was burning a hole in our sides, especially when we got caught in the glare off the stainless tanker desk.  Lesson learned: always wear sunscreen.  I think my face will be peeling for months now and I'm starting to hate the smell of Aloe.  Thankfully, I had my mom and sisters in town all weekend to lend an extra hand.  Thanks to all who came out and shopped us.  We'll see you again at the Vintage Bazaar September 18th.

Now that things have quieted down and we're finally back to normal, I'll be around blogging, starting with this week's weekender featuring the DIY you've all been waiting for...concrete countertops!!

In the meantime, we're so behind on this year's Big Move series that I've decided to just skip it and move forward.  Next year I'll be ready, I promise!  So instead, take a look at some posts from the past couple of years to help you out with your big move!

Moving?  These past posts will help you out!

• The Big Move 2010 - all the tips you need no matter what stage of moving you're in
• Moving On Out - never lose your security deposit again!
• Time to Get Fixed - break something?  They'll help you fix it.
• Got Wood? - get your wood floors and furniture looking like new
• Apartment Security: Get it Done - make sure your new home is secure
• Apartment Security: The Little Things - don't forget these small ways to keep your apartment safe

The Big Move 2011 - The Negotiation

So yesterday you used all those awesome apartment hunting tools to find some apartments you like, now it's time to get into the nitty gritty.  I know I said we'd talk about moving out tips but I left out something super important.  Negotiation.

There are people out there who don't care about things like what color the walls are and who think you're nuts for fixing up a place you may only live in for a year or two.  I am not one of those people.  As a person who LOVES the thrill of renting a new place and coming up with new ideas, I think everyone should put their personal stamp on their apartment. No, you don't need to blow money on expensive, time-consuming improvements and you don't have to be a designer.  But you should surround yourself with things you like so that when you come home at night, you're happy to be there and when you have people over, you're proud, not embarrassed.  Whether you hang a few pictures, buy a gallon of paint, or buy a piece of furniture that you like, just do something that makes you happy!

Our first apartment together.  We went with a soft grey for the living room but punched it up with bright furniture and records on the wall.

That said, some landlords are a little touchy about tenants personalizing a place.  Many of them have had tenants before that were anything but careful and left the apartment full of nail holes and paint on the ceilings.  If that's the case, do your best to ease their fears.  Let them know you're responsible and give examples of past work if necessary/possible.  When negotiating, don't be pushy.  The last thing you want to do is start out with a bad relationship.  It's still their apartment so they have a right to say no.  If you're really passionate about something and the landlord won't budge, consider alternative solutions like hanging things with removable 3M strips instead of nails or adding color in your furniture instead of on the walls.  Still not happy?  Move on to a different place where you'll have a little more freedom.  I've done this before when landlords wouldn't let us paint.  It sucked at first to let go of a place I liked but in the end, I was ten times happier when I found another apartment I loved that I could also make my own.  If your landlord is great about letting you express yourself then awesome, you can skip this post.  Either way, make sure you let them know how appreciative you are and don't take advantage of their generosity.


The Negotiation...

Painting - If painting an apartment colors you like is important to you, ask the landlord if painting is allowed BEFORE leasing the apartment.  I've fallen in love with apartments only to be told that the landlord doesn't allow painting of any kind.  Thankfully we didn't sign the lease so I was able to back out.  If the landlord is on the fence, offer to paint the apartment back to a neutral color before moving out.  You can also ease their minds about your painting skills by showing them pictures of your last apartment if you painted, that way they can see your work...most landlords don't mind the actual paint colors so much as the horrible paint job that some people do, getting paint allover the ceilings and trim.  I've also run into landlords who let you pick the color as long as a professional does it.  If they foot the bill for a pro, awesome.  If not, check group deal sights like groupon.com and Living Social.  They always have discounts up for painting services.

Our Boston landlords were happy to let us paint our once-neutral apartment as long as we painted back in the end.  They even reimbursed us for the neutral paint at move out.

Fixtures - I've seen some tacky apartments on craigslist.  Gold fixtures. 80's wallpaper. Sea shell toilet seats.  Um, no.  Other times, it's not so much about tackiness as it is efficiency...our bathroom has a small bird bath sink with no room to put the soap.  Not cool.  Instead of letting it bother you, check with the landlord to see if it's an improvement they'd be willing to make.  Don't be afraid to ask.  Often, landlords have things on their to-do list that they just don't get around to.  They're human too after all!  If they think you don't care, they most likely won't bother to fix it, so make sure you put in your two sense.  We asked our landlord if we could add shelving in the bathroom for toiletries and a small shelf above the sink for the soap.  Not only did he say okay, but he installed the shelves for us and we didn't pay a dime!! If it's a fix you know how to do yourself, ask if they'd be fine with you doing it.  In some cases, they may be willing to pay for the cost of materials.  If it's a temporary fixture that you plan on taking with you when you leave, like a light, store the original in a safe place with all its parts so you can replace it when it's time to move.  I hate the ceiling fan in our kitchen but my husband didn't think our landlords would let us change them out for a pair of vintage pendant lights.  I asked anyway and got the go ahead.  Yea!  Now all I have to do is find the perfect lights and I'll have the kitchen I want.

Originally the trim in our bedroom was unfinished pine but our landlords let us paint it a neutral white that would stay even after we left.

Reduced Rent - This doesn't have anything to do with reduced rent but falls under the negotiation umbrella.  At our last place in Boston, we were able to reduce our rent by mowing the lawn.  Though our landlords already had a landscaper to keep things looking nice, letting us take care of the weekly lawn mowing saved them big bucks.  We only earned $25 for each mowing ($75-$100/month) but it was better than nothing, the lawn wasn't that big, and it was an excuse to get outside and walk around for a bit. Win-win all around!  If you're a hands-on person, you may be able to negotiate similar deals in return for your handiwork.

Our first apartment together.  I fell through the glass top of this table hanging this light in the dining room but it was all worth it to get rid of the ugly wicker basket cover that was there originally!

So, your landlord said yes.  Awesome!!  Now it's your responsibility to do a good job and not start projects you can't handle.  Don't forget that you may have to put things back when it's time to move.  No landlord wants to get stuck with bright red walls when you said you'd paint them back or tons of nail holes in the wall.  Yes, your security deposit is for fixing mishaps and mess-ups but that's worst case scenario.  A good renter is a renter who leaves the place in good condition with only reasonable wear and tear left.  It's the irresponsible renters who make landlords uptight and paranoid.  Don't ruin it for us all!

Our last apartment.  The landlord let us do black walls as long as we agreed to paint them back.  The couple moving in liked the walls though and asked us to leave them black.  Awesome!

HAPPY NEGOTIATING!!!

The Big Move 2011 - The Apartment Hunt

It's about that time again where everyone's moving around.  Typically, I'd do this post a little earlier but you know what they say, better late than never!  Whether you're thinking about moving, already in the process, or trying to get settled, we'll have tips and tricks for you all week to make sure you get back your security deposit and move-in faster to your new home.

Still Apartment Hunting...

The internet is crawling with great tools to help you find the place you're looking for.  While craigslist is the reigning king of online classifieds, there are other great apartment hunting sites out there offering in-depth info to help you find the place of your dreams.  One of my favorites?  Zillow.com which gives you detailed info about both the apartment AND the neighborhood.  You can see how much you'd be paying per sq. foot, how many grocery stores and coffee shops are around, and the walk and transit scores of the neighborhood so you know whether to get a car, bus pass, or a new pair or walking shoes.

There are an incredibly high number of 1bed apartments going for $2k-$4k in Boston.  CRAZY!

Once you've narrowed down your list, make sure you're getting a good deal by using the Rent-o-Meter.  It looks at what other rentals in the neighborhood are going for and shows you whether you're high, low, or just right. Thankfully our apartments have always been right in the middle!  Is yours a little high?  Visit some of the other available apartments in the area and see how they compare to the one you're interested in as far as square footage and upgrades.  If everything seems level, use the Rent-o-Meter results to strike a conversation with the landlord to see why the rent is higher and maybe get it reduced.  You never know!

Even crazier than the number of $2k+ apartments in Boston is the fact that $3300 is "reasonable" for a 2bed!

If you're moving in with roomates, Splitwise.com has AWESOME calculation tools to put an end to roomie squabbles.  Their SplitTheRent calculator has a fairness scale that takes in to consideration factors such as room size and layout, windows, bathroom access, and annoying noise issues to determine who should pay what.  Now instead of arguing about fair rent, you can save your energy for those super important feuds over who left their dirty underwear in the kitchen.

Tomorrow we'll have all you need to know about moving out and getting your security deposit back.  Happy Apartment Hunting!

{By the way, none of the sites mentioned today are sponsors, they're just super awesome!}

Apartment Security: The Little Things

So I know it's been awhile since I posted about home security but there are just a few extra things we've learned from our break-in that I wanted to share.

Serial Numbers and Receipts
When the police asked for the serial numbers of our TV, laptop, and xbox, we had no clue!  Even if they had recovered our stuff, they wouldn't have been able to verify that it was ours!  That's why it's super important to write down the serial numbers of all your electronics and keep receipts from big purchases.  Store your receipts and list of serial numbers in a fireproof safe (read below), give a copy to your parents (or another super trustworthy person) to keep in their files, create a file that you store on a backup hard drive, or upload them to a cloud storage site that you can log in to and access from any computer.  Not only will the serial numbers help the police identify your stuff if it's found, but the insurance companies will want them in case of fire, theft, flood, etc.

Fire Safes
Get a fire safe.  Fire safes are a great way to lock up valuables and keep them secure in the event of an emergency.  Keep your social security card, birth certificate, important legal docs, and expensive jewelry in the safe and also scan them into the computer and store them on a cloud storage/backup site.  Small fire safes are inexpensive and go for about $20 on Amazon.

Hide Your Stuff
Thieves aren't stupid.  They know to check your top drawer for valuables and look on top of the fridge for your money jar.  That's why it's up to you to keep your stuff hidden.  Yes, that means don't keep your spare key over the door, or under a rock!  Get a fun stash box (love the Arizona Tea safe!) to camouflage jewelry and secret money stash, hide your fire safe in a completely out of site, and give your key to a best friend rather than leave it in some obvious place.

Locks
The guys who robbed our apartment came in through the open gate in the back.  It was winter and the locks were frozen so neither us nor the neighbors locked the gate.  Major mistake.  To keep locks from sticking in cold weather, squeeze a little WD-40 inside and they'll easily open and close.  They also make weather-proof locks, though I found that they're not actually as weather-proof as they say so having the WD-40 on hand is a good idea.

Emergency Plan
In the horrible event that someone breaks-in when you're home, have an emergency plan on hand.  You should have a plan as to where to hide and which doors and windows are easily accessible. Yes, you may never use it but in the event something happens, you'll be darn glad you thought things out!

Like I've said in previous safety posts, none of these tips are meant to scare you or make you paranoid.  Just be smart about your stuff and don't do things that basically invite robbers to take advantage of you!

Keep safe!

Keep Warm, Save Bucks

Two months ago I started a thread on our Facebook page asking for suggestions on keeping your apartment warm in the winter while reducing energy bills.  One of our readers, Arlinda, wrote in suggesting Frost King's window insulation kit (starts at $4.98 at Home Depot)  It's a clear film that you apply to your window frame with double-sided tape.  Frost King blocks drafts and the cold from the window glass by trapping it in the pocket between the window and the film.

At first, I had reservations about putting an ugly plastic film around my windows.  How tacky!  But with drafts coming in through the large windows right above our living room couch, I had to do something before I froze to death watching TV!  So I bought the kit, then kept it unopened in my office for over a month.  I'm lazy like that.

So far, I love Frost King.  It's clear enough, you really can't tell it's there.  Plus it was easy to install.  You just attach the included double-sided tape to your window frame, apply the film, and use a blow dryer to remove any wrinkles.  So far the only issue I have is covering the sides where the tape may show.  Window blinds or curtains should do the trick.We no longer feel any drafts and you can now sit and watch TV without freezing.  I can't speak for the energy bill savings yet since it's only been a few days but our upstairs neighbor uses it on most of his windows and said his bill dropped $100/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.  Great return for an easy to use product that only costs $7!  If you go to Amazon, you'll see lots of negative reviews complaining about the tape's tendancy to peel off the window frame.  Everyone seemed to suggest using 3M's mounting tape instead.  Again, I've only had my tape up for a few days so I can't speak to it's strength yet but it might be smart to grab a role of 3M just in case.  You can also try the 3M complete window insulation kit which got good reviews.



Another thing to remember is caulk.  If you have drafts coming in around the actual window, apply the caulk BEFORE the window film.  If you have drafts between the trim and the wall like we do, apply the caulk there.  We used DAP Dynaflex 230 ($3.74 at Home Depot).  It's another easy to use product....just squeeze it out of the tube and run it along the crack.  It's also paintable so once you're done you can go over the visible part with a brush so it blends in with the wall.  Make sure to buy the smaller 5.5oz so you don't have to use a caulk gun.  It should be big enough to do all your doors/windows.

To stop drafts at your doors, try a double draft dodger.  It slides under your door and blocks drafts from coming in.  We had them back in Boston and they worked well on our interior doors that led to the common stairs and the laundry room.  We bought one again for this apartment and found that it keeps getting caught on the metal bottom plate.  I'd suggest this only for interior doors leading to garages, unheated rooms, etc. since it's not a super efficient solution. You can also buy them/cut them to fit windows, however when we tried this it didn't work.  There wasn't enough slack between the tubes to go underneath our window.  Again, I'd recommend caulk and window film as a more efficient solution.


Before we go, don't forget to take a look at our roundup of space heaters under $100.  What are your tips and tricks for keeping warm in winter?

Keep Your Computer Protected Part 2: Secure Your Data

I'm back with a few more tips for securing your computer in case of theft.  When my laptop was stolen, the robbers were able to login to my Amazon account and use my stored credit cards to buy all sorts of stuff.  Thankfully I'm broke so only a few of the $300,000 worth of items they ordered actually went through.  Still, I definitely learned my lesson...never again will I use my browser's built-in auto-complete to store passwords or credit card info.

Custom Built Computer - Woodguy32

Password Security
After doing a little research, I found Last Pass which seems to be the favorite of techies.  Last Pass is a free, secure plug-in that stores your passwords, form fill data (name, address, etc.), and credit card info.  All the info you entrust to Last Pass is encrypted locally on your computer so even the folks over at LP can't access your stuff.  You can use Last Pass to sync your auto-fill data across browsers and computers.  Once you have Last Pass installed, you setup a master password that unlocks your info.  You can go to the settings menu and change it so that you have to enter your master password each time you go to a website, after a certain time interval, or after your browser/computer's been logged off. 

For extra security, you can setup one-time passwords for times when you're using an unsecure, public wi-fi like at Starbucks.   Instead of logging into Last Pass with your REAL master password making it vulnerable to would-be hackers trolling around the public networks, you can use a one-time password that you've setup beforehand.  Once used, the password will be deleted so that no one can ever use it....take that hackers! I just wish I'd known about this sooner...I could have protected my passwords and credit card info from those no-good robbers.

Anti-theft Protection
If you're someone who uses your computer in public areas, I'd highly recommend not only buying a laptop lock to secure your laptop to a table, but also downloading Laptop Alarm.  Once active, you can set Laptop Alarm to sound an alarm if someone tries to turn off or unplug your computer.  While not leaving your laptop unattended is always the best anti-theft measure, now you'll at least be able to go grab a napkin with relative protection.

Encryption
Unless you've got armed guards surrounding your laptop at all times, there's always going to be a chance that your computer can be stolen.  Hopefully you took my previous advice and backed up your hard drive so you at least have a copy of your files somewhere.  Now it's time to protect the files on your computer, in case it falls into the wrong hands.  Apparently LaptopLock can help with that.  Once you create an account, you're pretty much done.  In the event someone steals your computer, login to the LaptopLock website and report it stolen.  You can then choose to either remotely wipe your files from your computer or to simply encrypt them so that they can't be accessed.  If you frequently work in public areas or live in a neighborhood with a high level of break-ins, you should also check out LoJack which offers even more security options and will also work with police to recover your laptop.  Once again, I wish I'd known about this BEFORE my computer was stolen!

Keep safe!

Keep Your Computer Protected Part 1: The Backup Plan

Now you have your security alarm to deter criminals and your renter's insurance just in case.  The next thing we'll talk about is your computer.  Computers are usually one of the worst things that could be stolen.  Not necessarily because of their monetary value, but because of all the info they hold.  Your music library, your vacation pictures, your private info, work, etc., are all stored on your computer.  If your laptop's stolen and you have to buy a new one, it usually takes a few weeks before you get the new computer just how you like it with all your programs, preferences, and folders.

It's even worse if you don't have a backup of your old laptop's info.  Thankfully, you can easily backup your computer with an external hard drive which is easy to use and affordable...check out NewEgg.com for prices starting at $30 for 80gb of storage.  Some external drives come with their own backup software that syncs to your computer, or you can go to your computer's backup center and do everything from there.  You can choose which folders/files you want to update and even schedule automatic updates so that, for example, every Sunday at 3am your computer will sync up to your external drive.

While external drives are handy for backing up your new computer in the case of a theft, they won't help much if there's a flood or fire and they're destroyed right along with your computer.  Plus you have the added pain of having to remember to connect the drive to back everything up, something I'm horrible at!  That's why online backup services are perfect.  There are both free and paid online options that take the hassle out of keeping your info protected.  Once you sign up, your info is synced to a secure server where it's stored until you need to access it.  Most online backup services have options that allow you to share files with others (good for work situations) or even sync multiple computers.  There are tons more features available and I'm still figuring this all out myself so you should check out reviews from sites like MacWorld.com or PCMag.com.

If you already use an online service leave a comment below letting us know which one you recommend.  What's your favorite backup option?

Apartment Security: Get it done!

So I'm still on my apartment security kick.  Having someone rob your house and steal your stuff will do that to you!  Today I'm reminding everyone again of my two favorite alarm options.  If your apartment doesn't already have a security system, I STRONGLY suggest asking your landlord to install one, especially if you live on the first floor like we do, have a basement, or live in a garden-level apartment.  Those are the apartments a burglar will normally choose first since they're easier to access.  Most landlords are perfectly willing to work with you if you ask.  Read up on your options and be ready to suggest a system or two in case they ask.  If there's been a number of thefts/assaults in your area or building, you'll want to include this info as well when you plead your case.  Currently, my landlord is installing the SimpliSafe alarm in our apartment...I just wish I'd asked BEFORE our apartment was robbed!  If your landlord won't budge on installing a system don't worry, below are two super affordable alarms that are perfect for you!

The first is the Intrud Alert door alarm for just $1 at Dollar Tree.  I've used it before and it does just what it's supposed to do...sound a loud, annoying noise if someone opens the door/window you've placed it on.  The main piece attaches to your door/window and the contact piece goes on the door jam/trim.  Once you turn the alarm on, it will sound a noise anytime someone opens the door and breaks the contact between the two pieces.

While the Intrud Alert isn't guaranteed to stop a determined criminal, it will deter your average bad guys from breaking in once they hear the noise and it does just as good of a job as most of it's pricier counterparts. It works great on windows, as an add-on to an existing system, to protect doors leading to common areas, or if you just want a little something to give you piece of mind.  I love these things and will continue to use them as an additional layer of warning even once our security system is installed.

The other alarm I highly recommend is SimpliSafe.  It's received awesome reviews from testers, including the New York Times and Apartment Therapy.  SimpliSafe is a full-fledged, customizable security system that's great for renters.  The starter kit is just $200, a lot less than ADT, Broadview, etc., and comes with a base system, keychain remote, 2 door/window sensors, and a keypad.  If you need more, you can easily purchase additional sensors, remotes, and even panic buttons to make the perfect system for your apartment.  SimpliSafe comes pre-programmed and installs using 3M strips which can be removed without damaging your walls which is a major plus for renters.  It's also wireless so you can easily take it with you from one apartment to another without having to worry about setting up a phone line.  For $15/month, you can get monitoring which will alert the police if your alarm goes off.  You can start/stop the service at anytime.

Whether you choose one of the options above or go for something totally different, you should definitely get something, even if it's just the $1 Intrud Alert.  No matter where you live, you're not immune to a robbery.

Remember, you shouldn't sit around in constant fear of being robbed, but it's always smart to be ready just in case.

Renter's Insurance...What's Your Excuse?

Today's not only the first post of the new year, but also my first post since our apartment was broken into and our laptop stolen.  It feels so good to have a new laptop and be connected to everyone again!  As promised, I'll spend this month giving tons of advice on keeping safe and protecting your belongings.  Have any additional tips or suggestions?  Leave a comment, shoot me an email, or start/join the discussion on our facebook page.

First we're going to cover renter's insurance.  Before today, I didn't completely know what renter's insurance covered.  I now know that insurance not only covers your if your apartment's robbed, but also if you're mugged, your car's broken into, your place catches on fire, or someones injured at your apartment and decides to sue you for damage.  Basically, wherever your stuff is, it's covered!

If you don't have renter's insurance already, you're probably like I was, living with the thought that no one would ever break-in and that insurance can wait.  NOT TRUE!!  I found out the hard way that break-ins can happen anytime.  After being a renter for 8 years, someone broke into our apartment two weeks ago and stole our tv, laptop, and xbox.  Because we procrastinated and decided to put off getting insurance until 2011, we're left buying all new electronics on our own dime.  Not cool! 

If you're a procrastinator, you'll be happy to hear that getting renter's insurance takes no time at all.  In the few hours before writing this post, I was able to not only get quotes from multiple agencies, but also completely sign up for both renter's AND auto insurance.  Not only is the process quick and easy, but prices range from $10-$45/month depending on the coverage level and deductible.  That means even those living on a tight budget can afford insurance.  Just think...it's easier to pay $20/month than to be out several thousand dollars buying everything new!

I looked into State Farm, 21st Century (they use Farmer's for rental insurance), Commerce (our old auto agency), and Allstate.  Allstate and State Farm were my top 2 companies.  I spent about an hour total talking on the phone with them before deciding to go with Allstate for both renter's and auto insurance.  My renter's insurance is $33/month with a $500 deductible...definitely a lot less than what we're currently paying for the new tv, laptop, software, and xbox.

When signing up for insurance, don't forget to ask questions such as how long it takes to process a claim (2 weeks or less seems standard) and make sure you'll be covered for the full cost of replacing your items.  Some policies only cover the item's current value which, depending on depreciation, can be a lot less than what it costs to replace it.  If you have an engagement/wedding ring or other valuable jewelry, you'll have to add on jewelry coverage which was only $12/year in my case.  You can also get discounts for bundling your car insurance or for having an alarm installed in your apartment.

Like I said, there is NO EXCUSE for any renter to not have renter's insurance.  Even if you don't have a lot of valuables, you should at least have basic coverage to cover your clothing, computer, furniture, etc.  All it takes is a few bucks and a couple of hours...DO IT!!!  For those who already have it, what agency do you recommend?

All I want for Christmas is...Home Security

Making your Christmas list for Santa?  Don't forget to add the SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System.  Invented by two city dwellers who were tired of watching their friends' apartments being robbed, SimpliSafe is made especially for renters and city folk.  The wireless system comes pre-programmed and is ready for you to setup in just a few easy steps...no more spending your lunch break waiting for an installer to come out! Just mount the keypad and door sensors using the included 3M strips (which hold well and come off cleanly when it's time to move), set the base unit in a convenient location, and you're done.

{pic via SimpliSafe}

The $199 starter kit comes with everything you need including a keypad, 2 door sensors, a keychain remote, window decals (to warn would-be robbers that you're protected), and the base station.  You can order more sensors, remotes, and even a panic button as needed.  The keychain remote is what got me.  It lets you turn the alarm on and off as you come and go from your apartment.  According to Unpluggd's test lab review, if you can work your car alarm, you can work this security system.  Awesome!

The sleek white base unit fits right in with your decor. {pic via Unpluggd}

For a $14.99 monthly service fee you also get 24/7 emergency dispatch protection should your alarm go off or for $19.99/month you can also receive texts and emails to let you know when your family/roomies come and go from the apartment or if someone breaks in.  Add the low prices to the fact that SimpliSafe has no contract, and it's much cheaper than conventional alarm systems AND you can take it with you when you move...finally someone's thinking about us renters!

If security's not a big issue and you're just looking for peace of mind, try the $1 door alarms from Dollar Tree...they're super cheap and work well.  We've used them without a problem.  Home Depot and Lowe's have similar door alarm kits although they don't do much more than the dollar version.

Keep safe!

Home Security for $1

It'd be great if all rentals came with security systems but unfortunately they don't.  But for just $1 you can get the Intrud Alert from Dollar Tree.  The Intrud Alert comes in two pieces, one that attaches to your door and a smaller contact strip that attaches to your door jam.  When the door is opened, the Intrud Alert sounds a loud alarm letting you know the someone's breaking in and scaring off any would-be criminals.

We used the Intrud Alert at our apartment and it worked like a charm.  It comes with the batteries and mounting tape...everything you need to get started!  The on/off switch is on the side so you can easily control the alarm without having to remember codes everytime you come and go.  The best part is it's only ONE DOLLAR so you can buy one for all your entrances for just a few bucks.  If you don't have a Dollar Tree near you, you can buy the Intrud Alert online for $2.50.

While you're at Dollar Tree, make sure to check out the stationery section where I found gorgeous mini clipboards.  There are four different patterns to choose from but at just $1 a piece, you can buy all four like I did!