Make Splitting Apartment Expenses a Breeze!

If you have ever shared an apartment with someone else, you know that money can be a sore subject, especially when arguments arise. Roommate horror stories can be a thing of the past if you take the necessary steps to agree and communicate about splitting apartment expenses!

Agree before signing

Before signing the lease with your roommate(s), discuss how your apartment expenses will be split. Will you each pay the same in rent, or different amounts depending on room size? Who will be in charge of collecting money for rent, utilities, and other things? Figuring these things out from the get-go will make it easier in the long run.

Don’t split large items

Splitting the cost of your furniture or coffee maker might seem like a good idea at the time, but when you move out, ownership of certain items can get tricky. Opt to each purchase one or two larger items that are close in cost so that when you move out of your apartment home, there is no debating who will take what.

Communicate directly

If paying for things equally causes tension in your apartment home, communication is key. Although it may feel awkward, the best way to confront a tricky situation is to talk about it, in person. Skip the passive aggressive sticky notes and address issues directly – it will create fewer misunderstandings and get things done quicker.

Divide the responsibilities

Instead of putting all of the pressure on one person in the apartment to send in the rent, utility bill, etc., divide up the responsibilities. Having these responsibilities spread evenly amongst roommates will also even up the accountability to better ensure everything is paid on time.

Utilize tools and Apps

There are plenty of free websites and phone apps today that will connect directly to your bank account and makes splitting expenses very easy and quick! Download Venmo or Splitwise for your smart phone to instantly charge or pay your roommates for everything from bills to groceries.

We hope all of these tips make splitting your apartment expenses at Arcadia Run a breeze! For more information on how you can lease a brand new apartment home at Arcadia Run right now, visit www.arcadiarun.com!

Fun Holiday Events in Manassas!

During the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit around Manassas, VA and even here at Arcadia Run! Check out all of these amazing events happening soon:

Nov 26th – A Christmas Carol: Beginning on November 26th through the next few months, The Center for The Arts at the Candy Factory will be hosting multiple showings of A Christmas Carol. Get into the holiday spirit by going to see one of the most coveted holiday shows of all time right here in Manassas, so check out all show of the show dates.

Nov 26thSmall Business Saturday: Support local businesses here in Manassas by shopping on Small Business Saturday in Downtown Manassas on Nov 26th! Get a head start on your holiday shopping with specials and sales all day long at your favorite local stores.

Nov 28th – Arcadia Run Toy Drive: From this date through December 12th, stop by the clubhouse to donate a new toy to families in need with Arcadia Run’s “Gifting for Families” toy drive. After all, it is the season for giving!

Nov 29thManassas Gingerbread Contest: Each year the town of Manassas holds their annual Gingerbread House Contest that runs from November 29th to December 16th. Stop by various shops throughout Historic Downtown to vote for your favorite entry! The winners will be chosen on December 16th.

Nov 30thSwing Machine Big Band’s 5th Annual Christmas Extravaganza: Join the Hylton Performing Arts Center for this annual holiday music event form 7:30-9pm!

Dec 2ndMerry Old Town Christmas Tree Lighting: A classic celebration with old-fashioned family fun, this year’s tree lighting is going to be one for the books! Enjoy the sweet sounds of classic holiday music from special musical guests and await Santa’s arrival on the train before the town’s tree is illuminated! This celebration will take place from 5-8pm.

Dec 3rd71st Greater Manassas Christmas Parade: From 10am-12pm, join the Greater Manassas area for a longtime tradition spanning generations, featuring over 2000 participants and 100 units! 

Dec 15thThe Nutcracker: The Manassas Ballet Theater and Manassas Theater Orchestra are putting on a brilliant rendition of this classic Christmas tale. Bring the whole family to the show for an unforgettable night at the Hylton Performing Arts Center for one of the 10 show days!

Dec 17th – Arcadia Run Holiday Party: Join your friends, family, and neighbors for a fun holiday party at the Arcadia Run Clubhouse from 12pm-4pm. There will be carolers, games, food, and more!

 

Transforming Your Apartment Bathroom into a Luxurious Space

Just because you don’t live in a five-star hotel, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice living in a luxurious space! Trulia has put together several ways that you can make your apartment bathroom a spa-like retreat, and we will share with you how to utilize these tips in your Arcadia Run apartment home!

Add some colorful art: Studies have shown that blues and greens are two calming colors that you will commonly see in other relaxing spaces, like salons and spas. Paint your own peaceful landscape to hang on the wall or find accessories that embody your favorite colors. 

Invest in quick drying mats: Nothing is worse than getting out of the shower to a soaking wet bath mat, or brushing your teeth and stepping in a puddle. Quick dry bath mats will ensure that your bathroom tile does not get super slippery and your feet will stay warm and dry.

Listen to calming sounds: If you love listening to music, or the sounds of the great outdoors, there are devices out there specifically designed for your shower! Waterproof speakers, or a sound machine, will create the ultimate relaxing atmosphere as you wind down from a long day.

Low lighting: Lighting is one factor that can always set the tone of a room, and having dimmed lighting can be a great way to relax. Opt for some candles or a standalone light dimmer that can be placed on the bathroom counter or hung from the curtain rod.

Add soothing scents: Believe it or not, certain scents like eucalyptus and lavender have a calming effect on the mind. You can incorporate these scents in many different ways like candles, bath crystals, air fresheners, or even a eucalyptus or aloe plant.

Create a display: Display your products or accessories in glass jars along the countertop or a shelf. The beautiful materials of the jars will exude a more luxurious feel rather than having them in boxes or shower bottles.

Warm it up: Keep a pair of slippers and a cozy bathrobe hanging on the back of your bathroom door so you can dry off and warm up quickly after every shower or bath. Having these items will also make getting ready each day much more enjoyable in the colder months!

Creating a luxurious bathroom space is really about incorporating items that will play to your senses and relax your body and mind. For more information about leasing a brand new apartment home to create your personal oasis in, visit www.arcadiarun.com.

Sources: trulia.com

Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in Your Arcadia Run Apartment Home

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Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family, and food, and our apartment homes at Arcadia Run are the perfect place to host Thanksgiving dinner, or even a ‘Friendsgiving’ gathering. If you’re stressing about how to clean, cook, and have everything ready in time, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of tips for how to host a stress free Thanksgiving meal at your Arcadia Run apartment home. Check them out below:

Make a Plan

First things first, figure out who will be joining you for Thanksgiving. Once you have a head count, you can start planning the seating arrangements and calculating how much food you will need. Ask that everyone RSVP as soon as possible, so there aren’t any last minute additions.

Divide and Conquer

Between all of the shopping, prepping, and cooking, there will be a lot to do! One of the best ways to reduce stress before everyone comes over is to divvy up the responsibilities. If you’re out at the grocery store, have your roommate start cleaning the apartment. When you get back, you can team up and get everything done in less time!

Less is More

When it comes to decorations, try not to go overboard. You’ll have your hands full with preparing the food and eventually the cleanup, so you don’t want to add to the list of tasks with tons of decorations. Keep it simple and classy with a festive tablecloth, a wreath, or a few seasonal candles scattered throughout your apartment home. A few simple touches can go a long way.

Bring Your Own….

If you’re having more than 3 or 4 people over, it’s completely fine to ask guests to contribute something to the celebration! Make sure you specify what you would like people to bring over, so you don’t end up with 3 cheese platters! Once you’ve made your lists of everything you need, see what you are still missing and ask guests to fill in the gaps. Some easy things for people to bring would be a bottle of wine or champagne, desserts, or appetizers.

Clean As You Go

Thanksgiving dinner is wonderful, but the aftermath can be a hassle, especially if you’re hosting! One way to cut down on the giant pile of dishes after your meal is to clean as much as you can after every course. Once people are done nibbling on appetizers and you’re about to serve dinner, clear and put away all of the appetizers. Remove empty dishes from the table throughout the meal and give them a quick rinse before putting them in the dishwasher. Save the larger dishes, such as the turkey pan, for after dinner.

All of these tips will help reduce your stress when hosting Thanksgiving, but the most important thing to remember is being thankful that you are sharing the day with friends and family. For more information on how you can make Arcadia Run your home, visit us online.