Setting up a new studio flat

Sollytear

Hey MSEers,

I have just rented a studio flat and leaving home for the first time. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice.

I need to find deals for my tv and internet. I am a vodafone mobile customer for many years but I do not believe they supply broadband. I need to find out which is the best supplier for electricity and if there are ways to keep my bills down.

I would like some advice on how to layout the flat in order to get maximal use. It is a U shape: the left side is the kitchen area, the right is where the bed is, and the bottom is the "living" space. Door bottom right. To give u an idea of the size, it is approximately 16'x24' rectangle with the middle top bit removed to form a U-shape.

Does anyone have advice on the best ways to minimalise food costs? Is it actually cheaper to home make sauces and curries instead of buying the jarred sauce? (luckily I already have most of the spices! )

Apart from that, if you have any other advice on living in a small flat or on leaving home for the first time please let me know!

Thanks,
Joe

violettasomerset

My only real suggestion is to get a folding screen and put it across the end of the U where the bed is, to separate it off into a bedroom area.

And yes it is usually cheaper to make the sauces yourself, particularly if you can make in bulk and freeze some. Energy saving lightbulbs and turning off items at the plug rather than leaving on standby will also help to save a bit of money on the electricity bills. Do you really need to get cable/satellite TV or is freeview OK, plus perhaps some downloading/iplayer if you're getting broadband?

sooz

Do you have a kitchen extractor fan? If not, I'd not suggest cooking heavy spices or frying in a studio. It will smell

PasturesNew

Find out whether the water is on rates or meter ... mine was on rateable value and £40/month, my neighbour said to phone the water company and they'd say I couldn't have a meter and then they'd do a bill based on usage (hers was £26), so I did that and the water company randomly sent round a man, who had a meter in his hand right there and then - and he fitted it in 10 minutes under the sink (in line) - and my bills for water were £12-15 or so.

mchale

PasturesNew wrote: »

Find out whether the water is on rates or meter ... mine was on rateable value and £40/month, my neighbour said to phone the water company and they'd say I couldn't have a meter and then they'd do a bill based on usage (hers was £26), so I did that and the water company randomly sent round a man, who had a meter in his hand right there and then - and he fitted it in 10 minutes under the sink (in line) - and my bills for water were £12-15 or so.

If you had a LL, I bet he/she was pleased about that :eek:

PasturesNew

mchale wrote: »

If you had a LL, I bet he/she was pleased about that :eek:

I phoned and asked first, before I spoke to the water company. He was happy. Why would a LL not be happy that a tenant could save £25+ per month?

carefullycautious

http://www.smallhouseliving.org/


lots of websites like this for you to look at