PHONE, CABLE, AND UTILITIES

What Will Utilities Cost?

Before signing your lease, discuss with your landlord which utilities will be your responsibility.  Many landlords pay for sewer and/or trash pick-up.   Consider this: sometimes a low rent amount hides a high cost of heating an older, poorly insulated unit.  Do you want to know how much past energy bills have been for the house/ apartment at which you are looking?  Call Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999.  Tell them the exact address and unit number. They will furnish you with the average monthly bill. Also talk to them about a budget plan; that way you pay the same amount every month and won't have to worry about big bills in the winter months.

Xcel Energy
3215 Commerce St.
La Crosse, WI
1-800-895-4999
http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/

How Do I Get Telephone, Cable and Internet Service in My Apartment?

Wondering how to get these services in your new home?  Take a break from unpacking and simply call to set them up. 

But wait!  How do you know if you are getting the best deal?  Connect Utilities allows you to compare cable, internet, telephone, and utility options.  Compare packages and prices to see which offers best fit your needs.
http://www.connectutilities.com/directory/states/Wisconsin/LaCrosse.html

How to Be Aware of Hidden Costs for a First Time Renter

Rent isn't the only thing due every month.  A variety of other expenses should be taken into account before you choose an apartment- ones that could drastically throw off your budget if you're not ready for them.
1.  Extra Fees!  Isn't that parking lot behind your building convenient?  Something to keep in mind, however, is that some landlords charge tenants for snow removal from parking lots and alleys.  Other additional bills include water and sewer and pet fees. 

2.  Make sure you have enough storage.  Sometimes a closet just isn't enough space to hold all of your things. Luckily, some apartments have extra storage space that you can use – whether this space is free to use or is available on a monthly rental differs from apartment to apartment. If there is no extra space in your apartment building and you really need the room, you can always look into renting an off-site storage unit, which will probably cost you between $30 and $100 each month.

3.  Check what laundry facilities your apartment has.  Apartment living might mean taking your clothes to a communal laundry room, where you’ll have to be ready to pay several dollars per load to wash and dry your laundry (in addition to the money it costs to buy detergent, bleach, fabric softener, etc.). Budget  accordingly.

4.  Make sure you have enough for groceries- you might be able to avoid the laundry room in your apartment by having super-nice parents, but one thing that is inevitable is food. Every couple of weeks, you'll have to buy groceries. When calculating your monthly food budget, as a general rule, give yourself more room than you think you'll need – even a few trips to coffee shops and fast-food restaurants can jack up your monthly expenditures and wreak havoc on your budget.