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Subletting and the City

By Christopher Schonberger
6/26/08
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Don’t have an apartment yet for the summer? Getting tired of sleeping on a different friend’s couch every week or looking at apartments that you’re not ready to commit to for a year? It’s time to think about subletting.

Watch Out, Stuart Little!

By Christopher Schonberger
6/20/08
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This makeshift mousetrap is simply a masterclass. [Via Metafilter]

Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Subterranean Homesick Blues

By Tom Wiseman
6/19/08
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Come gather round people wherever you roam,

Things Have Changed.

Well, of course they have, change is constant. That is fact, but it hasn´t stopped me from raging against it for most of my young life

The Gradspot.com Graduation Gift Guide

By Gradspot Dot Com
6/12/08
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Commencement season is finally over, but for many the touchy subject of the graduation gift has yet to be broached. Let’s be honest—if you just graduated, you’re probably expecting a little more than a fake diploma and a pat on the back.

The Best Commencement Speeches of 2008

By Christopher Schonberger
6/10/08
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Another commencement season has come and gone, leaving in its wake the collective words of hundreds of eminent writers, politicians, and thinkers. (Also, Chuck Norris made a speech.) Since graduates are generally too dizzy with excitement

Preparing the Necessary Pre Apartment Search Documents

By Julie Fishman
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Quick Tips

  1. Prep the paperwork – Almost all landlords will require some combination of the following: copies of your photo ID, a letter of employment, your two most recent pay stubs, your most recent tax return. Also, bring along a blank check for the deposit.

  2. Bring it with you– The apartment hunt is competitive, so every advantage helps. Bring your paperwork with you when you view apartments. When you find “the one,” you can hand over your paperwork and lock it up quick-fast.

  3. Guarantors – Most landlords require that a tenant’s income is 40-45x the monthly rent. If your income isn’t that high, a guarantor (e.g., parent) must co-sign the lease. Have a guarantor in mind ahead of time in the event that you need one to push the application through.

  4. Leases – Before signing a lease, be sure to read it thoroughly. Make sure there aren’t any restrictions in the lease that your broker may not have shared with you. Also, make sure nothing is missing that should be in there (e.g., your right to keep a pet in the apartment).

  5. Roommates – If you’re apartment hunting with a roommates, make sure that they are on the lease and have all their documentation lined up, as well.

If you thought finding an apartment was a struggle, you are in for a treat, mon frere. Actually sealing the deal is half the battle, and in most cases it involves an infuriating mix of timing, luck, and favoritism. Fortunately, a little preparation and a light sprinkling of gamesmanship can give you the head start you need to nip all those other jokers at the finish line.

10 Myths About Life After College

By Gradspot Dot Com
6/02/08
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Our guest blogger today is Kristen Fischer, author of Ramen Noodles, Rent, and Resumes: An After College Guide to Life

Moving Without a Mover

By Matthew Demmer
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Quick Tips

  1. Preparation is crucial – Make a list and figure out what to take home; scrap or sell the rest. You’ll figure out how many boxes you need and what size moving-vehicle is required. This will save time and money.
  2. Get help – Ever tried to load a mattress into a car/truck on your own? Now imagine an entire room. Ask friends for help or scour Craigslist. You don’t need to be a hero.
  3. Pack smart – Don’t be shy when using boxes, tape and bubble wrap. Buy your packing materials from a hardware store or online. It will cost less than half of what a moving company or campus bookstore will charge you.
  4. Get some wheels – Your options are your car, trailers (2 rooms or less), or trucks (1.5 to 8 rooms). Check U-Haul, Budget and Penske to comparison shop. On pick-up day, arrive early so you can get the dibs on the best rides. When loading your vehicle, remember to distribute weight evenly.
  5. It’s not easy – I don’t care what people tell you; moving yourself is a big pain in the butt. It takes days to prepare, pack, load, drive, unpack, return your vehicle, etc. And the labor is backbreaking. If you have the cash, consider spending it to hire a professional, instead of spending your final days at school lifting boxes.

Some of you will be moving home, some to a new city, some to an apartment on the other side of town. But the fact is that after graduation, you’re all going to be moving somewhere. Unfortunately, the one constant in any moving enterprise is that it sucks.

How to Clean Stuff

By Dan Marley
5/29/08
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Do you ever feel like you want to clean something but just don’t know where to even start? That’s how I felt when I wanted to clean my stove and also my colon. Thankfully, How to Clean Stuff is here to help.

Buying Air-Conditioning

By Christopher Schonberger
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Quick Tips
  1. Make the measurements – Measure the size of the room that you are trying to cool, and realize that the frosty air will not snake around corners or through doors. Also, measure the window to make sure you buy a unit that fits.
  2. Do the math on Btus – Every unit will have a “Btu” rating that corresponds to how many square feet it can cool efficiently. After you’ve measured the space, use this chart to determine your Btu requirements
  3. Look for Energy Star products – Contributing to global warming in order to cool yourself down seems a bit backwards, doesn’t it? Minimize your energy expentiture (and bill) by getting Energy Star products and budgeting your AC usage wisely.
  4. Installation – If the store charges an arm and a leg for installation and you aren’t the “following directions” type, see if your super will help you out (and be sure to tip generously).
  5. Clean frequently – Being cool is great, but blasting dirty, dusty air into your apartment can lead to allergies and sickness. Get a unit with an easily removable filter and clean it once a month.

Memorial Day has passed and, like clockwork, it has become hot and borderline uncomfortable in New York. If summer hasn’t hit your neck of the woods yet, it probably will soon. So how do you avoid annoying situations such as feeling dehydrated and not being able to wear the boxers you slept in? Hook up some

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