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6 Smart Must-Do’s Before Moving Out of Your Apartment

By U.S. News & World Report

Moving is always stressful, and the last thing you want to worry about during the big change is your finances. According to the American Moving & Storage Association, the average cost of an intrastate move is $1,170, and this extra expense might take its toll on your budget for the year. Now that you’ve found your new home or apartment, you’ll need to wrap up some loose ends and make sure you’re keeping an eye on spending and last-minute expenses.

Whether you want to ensure you get your security deposit back or just want a smooth transition to your new place, here are six smart things you need to do before moving out of your apartment.

1. Schedule a walk-through with the landlord. Some landlords will book this as soon as you give your notice while others will wait for the tenant to set it up. The walk-through allows your landlord to assess the condition of your apartment before you leave and sign off on anything that needs to be replaced. Documenting findings in writing will protect you from having to pay extra expenses when you move out.

[See: 10 Money Leaks to Shut Down Now.]

2. Set up cable and electricity at the new place. It can take 12 to 24 hours — or more — for a representative from the cable or electric company to set up service in your new place, and even more time to actually start service. If you want to have service the day you move in, make sure to schedule this visit a few days prior so you don’t have to worry about it. You may need to pay a prorated fee for those extra days but will have peace of mind that you have what you need to get settled in.

3. Schedule a deep cleaning day. Ideally, you will want to have everything moved out of your apartment before you start cleaning because you’ll need to scrub the walls, moldings and all the major appliances thoroughly. Figure out what day the movers will be taking away your things so the apartment is completely free of any furniture and personal items. Hire a cleaning service to come in and do a deep clean for you or plan on spending a few hours cleaning everything yourself. Make sure the apartment looks as good as it did before you moved in to get your security deposit back.

[See: Your Month-to-Month Guide to Savings.]

4. Submit a change of address form. This is one of those moving checklist items that’s easy to forget, so take care of it as soon as you know when your move-in date will be. You can submit a change of address form online through the United States Postal Service website and get a confirmation via email and regular mail when it is complete. This will ensure all your mail is going to the correct mailbox so you don’t miss any important bills and letters.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

5. Document everything. Make sure you have made a note of any problem areas in the apartment, broken appliances or other items that need to be fixed (and have been reported to the landlord but have yet to be addressed). Take photos so you have proof of the condition of these items and keep a file of any correspondence you have had with the landlord about fixing these things before you leave. You should not be responsible for the cost of repairs as long as you have already reported everything according to your lease terms.

6. Update your budget. Your monthly expenses may be changing significantly if you are moving into a bigger place, a new neighborhood or even across the state. Take some time to update your budget with your new rental fees or mortgage costs, taxes, changes in utility bills and any other new expenses you are assuming with the new home. Doing this now can help you better prepare for those upcoming bills and give you a fair idea of what your recurring expenses are going to look like for the next year or more.

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6 Smart Must-Do’s Before Moving Out of Your Apartment originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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