Well, I couldn't settle on $700.
I decided to do some more homework and call neighboring apartment complexes, and then sent my husband in to do the dirty work here.
Lo and behold, $690 was the best they could do. As they couldn't go any lower than what new tenants pay. Rock on!!
Of course, today, rent is back up to $730 as the lowest price.
I always seem to score when the price is down.
Another $120 saved.
Sunday
Monday
How to Save Money on Rent (Take 2)
I did it again.
This time annual savings of $660.
Here are the steps I followed:
1. I received my notice of rent increase to renew my rent. It was a slight $15 increase from what I currently pay.
2. I did the research and discovered new tenants rates were considerably lower.
3. I wrote my letter 60 days before end of lease to notify them I would not be renewing. (Remember to read your lease terms to see when/if notice is required...AND GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO STAY).
4. I handed letter to leasing agent, who then said, "Oh, I am sorry to see you won't be renewing. Can I ask why?" I told her I could not afford the rent increase. She then asked what I could afford. I gave her a price, and she said, "Let me talk to the manager and see what I can do."
5. Receive phone call same day that they would give me the price I wanted, which is $40 less than my current rent.
I had been watching the rates for awhile, and they were $50 lower than I had even requested. Looking back, I wish I would have decreased the price I offered. Now the prices are back up, so I can't negotiate again. If they were lower though, believe me I would.
Just remember, NEVER..EVER listen to the complex's hogwash about how your rent MUST increase every year because of Market standards, or whatever seemingly great explanation they give. My rent has decreased the past two years.
Also, I tried to help my next door neighbor with my ways to reduce rent. He gave a letter to the office stating that he was not sure if he would renew or not. He did not follow my instructions exactly, and thus lost out on his negotiation power.
Final Update on Saving Money on Rent is here
This time annual savings of $660.
Here are the steps I followed:
1. I received my notice of rent increase to renew my rent. It was a slight $15 increase from what I currently pay.
2. I did the research and discovered new tenants rates were considerably lower.
3. I wrote my letter 60 days before end of lease to notify them I would not be renewing. (Remember to read your lease terms to see when/if notice is required...AND GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO STAY).
4. I handed letter to leasing agent, who then said, "Oh, I am sorry to see you won't be renewing. Can I ask why?" I told her I could not afford the rent increase. She then asked what I could afford. I gave her a price, and she said, "Let me talk to the manager and see what I can do."
5. Receive phone call same day that they would give me the price I wanted, which is $40 less than my current rent.
I had been watching the rates for awhile, and they were $50 lower than I had even requested. Looking back, I wish I would have decreased the price I offered. Now the prices are back up, so I can't negotiate again. If they were lower though, believe me I would.
Just remember, NEVER..EVER listen to the complex's hogwash about how your rent MUST increase every year because of Market standards, or whatever seemingly great explanation they give. My rent has decreased the past two years.
Also, I tried to help my next door neighbor with my ways to reduce rent. He gave a letter to the office stating that he was not sure if he would renew or not. He did not follow my instructions exactly, and thus lost out on his negotiation power.
Final Update on Saving Money on Rent is here
Sunday
Saving Money on Apartment Rent
I feel qualified in suggesting this since my advice has saved me personally over $1200 a year, and close to $600 a year for a friend of mine. It's the art of negotiation. I say it often, but it never hurts to ask.
Typically when lease renewal time hits, your apartment complex will send you a notice of renewal. The new lease terms will ALWAYS include a rent increase. Why? Well if you ask the apartment complex, they will give you bologna about how it's just standard. I realize most people would just pay the increase. I am not most people.
My advice is to first understand the contract you have with your apartment complex or landlord. Most leases require you to give notice 2 months before your lease is up that you do NOT plan to renew. This is a key step, because if you forget to give notice, your hands are essentially tied once you start to negotiate and the complex does not go down on price.
Once you give notice, you put the complex on notice that you are serious and will move if they do not work with you on price. You should visit the apartment's website to try to obtain a current rent price as if you were a new customer moving in. If the apartment does not list prices online, have a friend call and ask current rent prices.
Once you know what they are charging for current units for new renters, use this information in your favor and ask for them to match the price. It took persistence on my part, and I even took it to the corporate level, but in the end they matched the price.
I went a step further and watched the apartment's website for months. This gave me the ability to know when rent prices were the lowest, and that was when I went in for the negotiations. In the end I ended up paying even less than my current rate, so instead of an increases, I ended up paying less than before!
Also, if you are having problems with your apartment, neighbors, safety issues, etc...you must make sure to notify your apartment complex in writing. Written complaints leave a paper trail that the complex cannot pretend do not exist, and can also aid in a rent reduction.
Money Saved=$1200
How to Save Money Part 2 UPDATE is here
Typically when lease renewal time hits, your apartment complex will send you a notice of renewal. The new lease terms will ALWAYS include a rent increase. Why? Well if you ask the apartment complex, they will give you bologna about how it's just standard. I realize most people would just pay the increase. I am not most people.
My advice is to first understand the contract you have with your apartment complex or landlord. Most leases require you to give notice 2 months before your lease is up that you do NOT plan to renew. This is a key step, because if you forget to give notice, your hands are essentially tied once you start to negotiate and the complex does not go down on price.
Once you give notice, you put the complex on notice that you are serious and will move if they do not work with you on price. You should visit the apartment's website to try to obtain a current rent price as if you were a new customer moving in. If the apartment does not list prices online, have a friend call and ask current rent prices.
Once you know what they are charging for current units for new renters, use this information in your favor and ask for them to match the price. It took persistence on my part, and I even took it to the corporate level, but in the end they matched the price.
I went a step further and watched the apartment's website for months. This gave me the ability to know when rent prices were the lowest, and that was when I went in for the negotiations. In the end I ended up paying even less than my current rate, so instead of an increases, I ended up paying less than before!
Also, if you are having problems with your apartment, neighbors, safety issues, etc...you must make sure to notify your apartment complex in writing. Written complaints leave a paper trail that the complex cannot pretend do not exist, and can also aid in a rent reduction.
Money Saved=$1200
How to Save Money Part 2 UPDATE is here
Friday
Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenderloins Recipe
If you've ever had the real thing, which I have. on many occasions.. you'll know the grilled chicken tenderloins at Cracker Barrel are a tasty treat, but a pain for the wallet.
I tried this recipe that I got off Recipezaar.com, and the results were yummy, and .. much cheaper.
I tried this recipe that I got off Recipezaar.com, and the results were yummy, and .. much cheaper.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (I used Kraft Free Zesty Italian dressing)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
Directions
- Mix dressing, lime juice and honey.
- Pour over chicken tenders.
- Marinate for 1 hour.
- Cook tenders in a non stick pan or grill until golden in color, but not dry.
(I substituted lemon juice for the lime juice and it still tasted delicious. I would post a photo, but I devoured these fresh from the grill)
Tuesday
Free Day at the Museum 9/26
Enjoy FREE Museum Admission this Saturday, September 26, 2009. You must register at the link below and print out the admission card to show at the museum.
Museum Day 2009
Museum Day 2009
Sunday
Dave Ramsey Dollar Night at the Braves 8/17
Dave Ramsey Dollar Night at Turner Field - Presented by 640 WGST
Braves vs. Diamondbacks
Monday, August 17 vs. ARI 4:05 PMStay debt free Braves fans! On Monday, August 17, when the Braves take on the Diamondabcks, all Upper Reserved tickets are only $1 (regularly price $8).
Enjoy Braves baseball for only a buck courtesy of Dave Ramsey and your Atlanta Braves.
Be sure not to miss out on this fantastic special!
Thursday
Does God Providing A Way Include Debt???
Suh-weet.
This is a major pet peeve of mine..hearing people say that God has so incredibly shown his will for someone's life by giving them access to debt, or that God is "providing" through debt.
I say. Uh. No.
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:7, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Thus I ask, why would God supply a need of ours through another need?
God's way of providing for us should not enslave us to another.
Philippians 4:19 states, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Please don't say "Well it was God's will for me to go to this college because I was accepted for tons of loans!"
Or, "God wanted us to buy this house because we were able to qualify for a loan."
Back when I desired to go to a certain college, I discovered I was $1700 short to cover tuition that first year. I happened to get hit by a 16 year old girl who ran a red light, thus totalling my car. The insurance payment totaled $1700, which was exactly what I needed. I tend to think that was more of God's providing a will and a way since I was able to freely enjoy college without being enslaved to a student loan company.
This is a major pet peeve of mine..hearing people say that God has so incredibly shown his will for someone's life by giving them access to debt, or that God is "providing" through debt.
I say. Uh. No.
The Bible says in Proverbs 22:7, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Thus I ask, why would God supply a need of ours through another need?
God's way of providing for us should not enslave us to another.
Philippians 4:19 states, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Please don't say "Well it was God's will for me to go to this college because I was accepted for tons of loans!"
Or, "God wanted us to buy this house because we were able to qualify for a loan."
Back when I desired to go to a certain college, I discovered I was $1700 short to cover tuition that first year. I happened to get hit by a 16 year old girl who ran a red light, thus totalling my car. The insurance payment totaled $1700, which was exactly what I needed. I tend to think that was more of God's providing a will and a way since I was able to freely enjoy college without being enslaved to a student loan company.
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