Learn how to live on your own the right way. This article featured below explains how to budget your money and live by yourself.. Read more..

Most first-time college students opt to have roommates to keep costs low and social activity high. It’s also common for renters in their early to mid-20s to live with others as well. But, as you get older, you might find yourself yearning for a more private, individualized lifestyle. Whether you’re at a different point in your career than your peers, or you just like the idea of being fully independent, living solo has it’s perks. However, renting alone tends to be more expensive than renting with roommates.

To make renting alone more affordable, follow these three tips.

Search for Studios

Convertible or studio apartments are often hundreds of dollars cheaper than their one-bedroom counterparts. Sure, you’ll relinquish some square footage, but living alone provides you enough privacy to combine your living and sleeping spaces. Plus, with less room to fill, you won’t face high furnishing costs. Convertible apartments are slightly more convenient because they usually entail alcoves for sleeping quarters. If you opt for a convertible apartment, consider hanging curtains or privacy screens to section off your bedroom area for a one-bedroom apartment feel. Regular open-concept studios can be designed to provide separation, too. Simply place your small sofa or love seat at the bottom of your bed, or use a bookshelf to divide the room appropriately. For extra small studios, consider a daybed that can double as a sofa for entertaining during the day.

Cut out the Cable

With Netflix, HBO GO and Hulu streaming, why pay extra for cable television? In today’s internet-centered society, a WiFi connection is practically a necessity. If you already have internet, virtually any television show or movie is accessible. Using Apple TV, a smart television or HDMI cord,  you can play all of your favorites on your television anyway, without losing the same quality as you would with a small laptop screen.

Forgo Parking for a Better Location

When living alone, being in a prime location is key to avoid isolation. Living far from close friends and loved ones makes it more difficult to socialize and maintain connections. And, being in a better location in a large city typically means better accessibility, whether it be through walking, bussing or taking the train. In many metros, having a car isn’t necessary. Opt for a unit closer to work and friends – assuming they coincide – and save on parking fees each month. If you already own a car, selling it can put a little extra cash in your pocket in case of emergency.

Whatever the reason for branching out on your own, living without roommates can be affordable, as long as you’re willing to cut out some of the perks. You may even be surprised when you find you didn’t need them in the first place.