The First Apartment Money Guide — Companion Resources

This is the companion resource hub for The First Apartment Money Guide by Adrian J. Lin. The book is complete on its own — these worksheets are optional extras for readers who like to print things out and fill in their own numbers. Everything here is money-planning only: general education about budgeting for a first apartment, not legal, tax, insurance, or real-estate advice, and not a guide to your rights as a renter. Rough is fine, and a half-finished worksheet still counts.

Start free: the First Apartment Money Toolkit

The free toolkit bundles the First Apartment Move-Out Money Checklist (plan the cash before you sign) and the First 30 Days Checkup (swap your estimates for real bills after you move in). Fill in your own numbers; it’s a planning tool, not a verdict.

Get the free First Apartment Money Toolkit

Free, printable, and reusable. You don’t need the book to use it, and you don’t need it to use the book — each stands on its own.

Optional planning tools

These mirror the book’s fill-in worksheets. They live in the free toolkit and the book itself, so this page is a support — it never replaces the book. Use whichever help; skip the rest.

Move-In Cost Planner

A simple way to estimate the cash you need before and during move-in — first month, deposits, fees, and setup — by bucket, using your own numbers.

Apartment Comparison Worksheet

Compare two or three places by their total monthly cost, not just the rent — so a “cheaper” apartment with pricier utilities or fees doesn’t surprise you later.

Utilities Setup Checklist

Track which services apply, who to contact, what’s a setup cost or deposit versus a monthly bill, and when the first payments are due.

Roommate Shared Bills Worksheet

Money logistics only: who pays what, each person’s share, and when it’s due. It’s a way to get shared costs organized — not a contract or legal agreement.

How to use these resources

Grab the free toolkit and print the worksheets you want (or open them on a tablet).

Use your own numbers. Fill in what you know, leave the rest blank, and treat each blank as a question to ask before move-in day.

Ask before you assume. For anything about a fee, a deposit, or a lease term, ask the landlord or property manager in writing and check your lease.

Check after 30 days. Compare your estimates to real bills and update the plan — it’s a checkup, not a verdict.

For anything about your legal rights, a lease, deposits, or who is responsible for what, use official sources and talk to a qualified local resource or professional. This page doesn’t cover any of that.