SavvySugar

Do You Have Renters Insurance?

Emily Co — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:24:01 PDT

Although I've never had anything happen to me in my home that would warrant using my renters insurance (knock on wood), I think that my low-cost investment is quite valuable. If disaster strikes, my possessions will be protected, which the landlords insurance won't cover.

The average renters insurance costs between $15 and $30 monthly, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Compare that with the costly possibility of having to replace your damaged priceless possessions. Being insured covers a wide range of items, from electronics to jewelry to clothing.

I'm wondering - do you have renters insurance?

Watch Out: Your Late Rent Payments May Hurt Your Credit Score

Emily Co — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:46:46 PST

Experian is going to be the first out of three major credit bureaus to start factoring in rent payment histories when it's calculating credit reports, and Wallet Pop personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox thinks the other bureaus will start doing it as well.

Brannan Johnston, an Experian vice president, explains that since a third of Americans rent, the company felt that "it was imperative to reflect the true creditworthiness of those individuals who responsibly pay their rent." Experian is going to start effecting this new change this year - it will be including positive rental data in 2011 and will only start logging negative payment information in 2012.

This can be a good thing for those of you who are diligent in paying off your rent, because it'll be another way of establishing good credit. However, if you have a habit of being behind on your rent payments, you should consider automating your payments so you'll never have to worry about sending in a check to meet your monthly deadlines.

8 Crafty Ways to Reduce Your Rent

Emily Co — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:05:05 PST

For a lot of you, a hefty portion of your paycheck goes to rent, according to a SavvySugar survey. In this flagging economy, it's hard to put forward such a big chunk of cash when you're struggling to save. If the high rental prices are stressing you out, here are a few options you should consider in order to lower your rent. These suggestions might be common sense for most, but it's always good to get a savvy refresher!

Savvy Community: Basement Living Tips

Savvy Community — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:00:01 PST

Basement living will definitely be great for your wallet, but is it for you? Readers weighed in on guest blogger LearnVest's piece on staying in the basement of an apartment. Here's what they said:

Insurance: It's actually untrue that you probably can't insure your stuff in a basement. You can get renters' insurance that covers you in the case of theft or fire. It will also cover you in the case of flooding due to leaky pipes, etc., but will not cover you in the case of flooding due to weather. No standard homeowners'/renters' insurance policy covers you in the case of flooding due to weather, a separate flood insurance policy that is underwritten by the federal government is required. This is part of why there are always arguments with/lawsuits involving insurance companies after hurricanes. If something like a falling tree or high winds caused the damage to your property, your homeowners insurance covers it. If the damage was actually caused by water, you need flood insurance. - lilkimbo
Bugs: I lived in an "English basement" apartment with several roommates in Washington DC. It did feel stuffy at times but there were small windows throughout, some with flowers in front of them. The biggest complaint I had were bugs. Bugs live in basements, people. Especially in rainy/cold regions. No matter how many times you fumigate. Watch out! - a1stbornunicorn

Balance Budget With Lifestyle: What’s It Like to Live in a Basement?

LearnVest — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:05:37 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

When it comes to apartments, light is expensive. For this reason, basement apartments are usually cheaper to live in than apartments that are on the first floors and higher, getting lots of natural light. They tend to appear in big cities, where every square foot counts. If you think about what a brownstone townhouse looks like (those of you who aren’t from New York, imagine Carrie running up her stairs in “Sex and the City”) the apartment with the entrance under the stairs is the basement apartment. But can you stand it? Will you turn into a vampire? Here, for potential cellar dwellers, are some basement FAQs.

What’s The Difference Between a Basement and a Cellar?

To some people, a cellar is a storeroom in the ground found mostly in the prairie states. But New York State’s definition is more common: If a room is partly underground (below curb level), but less than half of its height is above ground, it’s a basement. If a room is underground, but more than half of its height is below ground, it’s a cellar. The distinction is important because (in New York State anyway) it’s illegal to rent out a cellar.

What’s An “English Basement?”

In realtor-speak, an “English basement” is a basement with a separate entrance from the outside, as a opposed to a basement that you access by walking through the house first.

Keep reading for more FAQs.

Is Paying More For a Better View Worth It?

SavvySugar — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 05:00:48 PST

I know a lot of people are willing to fork out more money for a better view (and higher floor) at their apartments, but that's never really been very important to me. It's not like I spend hours looking out the window. In fact, I barely glance at it. Sometimes the difference of a good view and a not-so-good view can range from hundreds of dollars. What do you think - is a good view worth paying more?

How Much of Your Paycheck Goes to Rent?

SavvySugar — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 05:00:36 PDT

A huge chunk of our paychecks goes to the monthly necessities such as rent, food, and utility bills. For those of you who are renting, I'm wondering how much of your take-home paycheck goes to rent?

Do You Rent or Own Your Home?

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:00:57 PDT

It's been about three years since I asked you all if you rent or own, and at that point, the renters were in the lead at 52 percent. Considering that since then I have moved twice, and I'm sure many you have had plenty of life changes too, I figure it's about time to pose the question to you again. So head to the polls: do you rent or own?

David Beckham and Twilight Take Over Teen Choice, Zac Tips Vanessa's Sexy Dance, and Ashley's Bikini Party

Molly — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:30:00 PDT

David Beckham, The Vampire Diaries' Katerina Graham, and Twilight stars talk to us at the Teen Choice Awards, Zac Efron gets motorcycling lessons from Tom Cruise, and a bikini-clad Ashley Greene hosts a party in Las Vegas. Watch today's all-new PopSugar Rush!

PSR 8/9/10: David & Twilight Take Over TCAs, Zac Rides With Tom Cruise, & Ashley's Bikini Party

PopSugarTV — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:13:23 PDT

David Beckham, The Vampire Diaries' Katerina Graham, and Twilight stars talk to us at the Teen Choice Awards, Zac Efron gets motorcycling lessons from Tom Cruise, and a bikini-clad Ashley Greene hosts a party in Las Vegas. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook for all the latest celebrity gossip!