There are things that you don't mind shelling out a little extra for (your bed, your sofa, a nice winter coat) and then there are the things you buy in bulk or have on hand. Making your apartment more like a home means you need to know when to stock up on certain things.
Not only is buying in bulk and keeping items well-stocked great for your wallet, but it can also keep you from having to make those annoying shopping trips every few weeks. With excellent services like Amazon and stores like Costco, this is very easy for renters to do as well.
Here are some great apartment items you should have stocked right now:
1. Light Bulbs
You never know when a light bulb is going to decide to burn out. There are numerous places to buy light bulbs in bulk, from Target to IKEA. At some point, you're going to have to replace these bulbs. What's more, if you have recessed lighting (and many apartments do these days), having one or two fixtures out can be frustrating and look tacky.
It's easy to remedy: Light bulbs always seem to be on sale and keeping them around is generally a great idea. If you really want to save some cash in the long run, consider investing in LED bulbs - they last a lot longer and are getting more and more inexpensive for renters.
2. Office Supplies
If you work from home or have a home office, investing in office supplies is a great idea. There's nothing worse than running out of printer paper or ink when you really need it most (writing a paper, printing out concert tickets), and these items are typically inexpensive. Pens and notepads are always good to keep stocked as well.
3. Cleaning Supplies
You can save a bundle on sites like Amazon on bulk cleaning supplies. They are easy to store and you know you will use them. Many people don't think about stuff like dish soap, hand soap, bathroom cleaner, or laundry detergent until they run out. This could cause you to backslide on your weekly cleaning duties.
4. Nonperishable Foods
Unlike a lot of other food items, it takes a long time for coffee to go bad. And let's be honest: Most of us enjoy our caffeine habit, so the chances of the stuff perishing are slim to nil. In the same vein, if you find a great deal at the supermarket on canned goods, dry pasta and beans, rice or ingredients that you use often for meals, don't hesitate to pick them up!
5. Toilet Paper
We all know the benefits of toilet paper, and some of us have experienced the moment of panic when you realize you've run out of it. Needless to say, keeping plenty of rolls on hand is always in your best interest.
6. Paper Towels
Spills happen, and paper towels are an easy way to clean them up. However, it can be very frustrating once you run out of them. You don't need to go overboard, as bulk paper towels can take up a lot of space, especially in a smaller apartment. However, getting the six-pack packages of paper towels is not a bad idea for any renter.
7. Batteries
How many times have you watched TV, realized the remote wasn't working, and also discovered you were out of batteries? Most small electronics require batteries, and if you have kids, most toys also require them. If you're shopping and you see a deal on batteries (especially the AA and AAA variety), be sure pick up a few packs.
8. Toiletries
There are certain things we are all going to use as some point or another to keep up our personal hygiene (at least we hope). These include deodorant, soap, shaving supplies, shampoo/conditioner and toothpaste. Many of these products are fairly inexpensive (so long as you stay away from the fancy salon brands) and can easily be bought in bulk.
9. Pet Food and Treats
If you have a dog, cat, or some other furry friend living with you, you are going to need to feed it every day. As such, pet food is definitely worth stocking up on. If anyone has trained a puppy before, they also understand the endless value of treats, which should also be kept on hand.
10. Trash Bags
These packages are neatly contained, fairly cheap and easy to store. You know you are going to keep having to take out the trash as a renter, so you might as well keep plenty of trash bags stocked and ready to go.