Author: willow creek

The cost of necessities, from food to gas to furnishings, keeps steadily increasing. As someone supporting a family, you may be feeling the stress of keeping your expenses as low as possible.

There are many ways to save money, from cutting out unnecessary subscriptions to buying items secondhand. Keep reading for money saving tips for families that are sure to help.

1. Cut Down on Your Grocery Bill

When you’re feeding a family, groceries are often one of the biggest monthly expenses. Luckily, there are many ways you can save on food.

One of the best options is meal planning. Make a list of the meals you and your family will eat for the week and buy these ingredients only. Sticking to the list (and using coupons when possible!) will help you save on groceries quickly.

2. Evaluate Your Subscriptions

The number of subscriptions you have can add up quickly–especially when each member of the family is asking for different ones.

Make a list of every subscription you currently have, including ones such as Spotify, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Blue Apron, Hulu, etc. Include things like gym memberships as well.

Now see which ones you and your family can live without and unsubscribe from these services. You might choose to unsubscribe or pause a subscription each month or let each member of your family choose one subscription they want the most.

3. Thrift for Good Finds

Think about the last handful of purchases you made. Did all of these things need to be bought brand new?

When you go shopping for clothing items, toys, books, furniture, and the like, opt for pre-owned or thrifted items. Not only are you helping the environment by reusing items, but you’ll also save a significant amount of money due to the heavy discounts.

4. Save Energy at Home

It’s easy to forget to conserve energy with a home full of people doing their own activities. But cutting back on your energy usage can lessen your bill and add up to lots of savings.

Remind family members to cut off the water when they’re brushing their teeth, turn off lights when they aren’t using them, and opt for short showers instead of baths. It’s also a good idea to set rules for the thermostat so the AC isn’t running too hard in the summer and the heat isn’t too high in the winter.

With a little bit of practice, energy-saving practices can become habits for everyone in the family.

5. Create a Family Budget

As adults, it’s likely your responsibility to plan the budget for the family, but that doesn’t mean the kids can’t be involved.

Take a look at your expenses and see where you can cut back. For example, if you tend to spend a large portion on entertainment and activities each month, have each person choose one thing they’d like to do that month and try not to go beyond those costs.

Letting your children be part of the planning and budgeting process will help them learn valuable financial management skills for the future.

Money Saving Tips for Families: A Guide

With the help of these money saving tips for families, you’ll be saving money in no time. Choose a couple of tips to start with and slowly turn them into habits.

Looking to save money by renting a home? Reach out to us to find out about Fort Wayne apartments.

Fort Wayne has beaten Dallas in ranking as the happiest city to reside in. But, of course, it could be thanks to the fun summer schedule and events we have.

Knowing what to do in Fort Wayne can be confusing because there is so much available. So, we’ve compiled the top Fort Wayne events and summer activities to kickstart your itinerary.

YLNI Farmers Market

Every Saturday from May to September, you can enjoy browsing homemade items, food products, and more. There is always a bustling atmosphere and live music to entertain guests.

In addition, Brunch on Barr will be next to the market this year. So, stop by to enjoy cocktails and food trucks.

Lunch on the Square

From June 2 to August 25, one of the most popular things to do in Indiana returns to Fort Wayne. Lunch on the Square takes place every Thursday from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm. So have a break from work and grab food from the food trucks at the event.

Downtown Live!

2022 is the 7th annual Downtown Live! The event is a concert series that highlights the talents of local artists, and entry is free.

The Landing holds the concerts on Fridays from 6 pm to 8 pm during June, July, and August. If you plan to drive from Willow Creek Crossing apartments, there is free downtown street parking from 5 pm.

GermanFest

About 50% of the residents in Fort Wayne have German heritage. So, we’re delighted to see the 40th annual GermanFest return this year with delicious recipes, music events, and competitions. The event takes place at Headwaters Park from June 8 to June 12.

ArabFest

Headwaters Park then welcomes the 6th annual ArabFest on Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5. You’ll be able to enjoy Arab music, camel rides, and a market during this two-day celebration. It is a free, family-friendly event.

Quilt Fest

New to Fort Wayne in 2022 is the first annual Quilt Fest. Quilters create their pieces to a set theme for judges to determine the winner. In addition to prizes, there will be special exhibits and exquisite quilts for sale.

Pedal Poker Run

In its 7th year, the Pedal Poker Run on June 18 has taken Fort Wayne by storm. Participants cycle around and gather five stamps. They then return to base and draw a poker hand. The best cards win a fantastic prize. You could also win Prettiest Bike, Ugliest Bike, or Oldest Bike awards.

Tacos, Tequila, and Margarita Fest

On July 30, head down to Headwaters Park to feast on Mexican food. The 5th annual event welcomes ten vendors from 11 am to 7 pm.

You will receive five drink tickets to redeem at the three bars when you buy tickets in advance. So, grab a drink and sit back to listen to live music.

Open Streets

You can experience car-free Fort Wayne activities on August 7. The Open Street festival closes Harrison Street, The Landing area, Calhoun, and Pontiac to vehicles. Instead, family-friendly activities will take place.

What to Do in Fort Wayne

Hopefully, this list has helped you decide what to do in Fort Wayne this summer. Whichever events you attend, you’ll have a great time with friends, family members, and the locals of Fort Wayne.

Check out our other seasonal blogs for activities and events near Willow Creek Crossing apartments in Fort Wayne.

Did you know the median price of a house is almost $400,000?

The housing crisis in the United States has left many scrambling to find whatever they can get. And with inflation and a potential crash on the horizon, the situation isn’t looking good. It’s time to rent an apartment.

But renting an apartment requires a lot of documentation. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your application could get rejected.

What do you need to rent an apartment? In this apartment rental guide, you’ll learn all the steps when it comes to how to rent an apartment.

What Do You Need to Rent an Apartment?

You can’t just rent an apartment with cash. Your landlord needs to verify who you are and be sure you’re able to afford the rent month after month. Further, they’ll need to verify that you’re trustworthy.

Follow these apartment rental tips whether this is your first time or tenth time renting.

Pay Stubs and Bank Statements

Think about it: a landlord would be making a huge mistake renting you an apartment if you can’t keep up with payments. Their intention is to make money.

You may have heard of the 30% rule, but this is just a rule of thumb. Make sure your pay stubs demonstrate that you can afford rent in addition to the cost of living. If you don’t have pay stubs, you can show bank statements going back two months.

Identification and Social Security Number

Whether it’s a green card, passport, or driver’s license, you need ID. This allows the landlord to know you are who you say you are. It’s essential for both you and them to comply with the law.

The landlord may also ask for a background check. A social security number ensures that they can verify your identity when performing the check. A clean background check may be necessary before you rent an apartment.

Proof of Vehicle Insurance and Registration

A vehicle is a liability, and your vehicle will remain parked on the landlord’s property. As such, he needs to ensure he knows which vehicles belong to whom. If there’s an unrecognized vehicle, he’ll know whether to call the tow truck or not.

Further, abandoned vehicles present an issue. If you’re on vacation, the landlord can check the plates and know they shouldn’t tow your car.

References

Your landlord may want to get in contact with your previous landlords to establish bona fides. Providing good references shows you’re a responsible tenant. That makes you competitive among other applicants.

Failure to provide references might make you seem like you’re new and untrustworthy. You may struggle to have your application accepted without evidence in your favor.

Rent Your First Apartment

What do you need to rent an apartment? You’ll need to provide documents that prove your finances and verify your identity. Have these documents prepared in advance so you can move in ASAP.

Find an apartment in Fort Wayne. Apply here for one, two, or three-bedroom apartments.

As of 2022, there are 33.2 million small businesses in the United States.

Small businesses were hit the hardest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them were forced to close or have suffered huge financial losses over the last few years.

This is why many people do their best to support local businesses rather than chain stores. Local businesses help build communities, creating hubs where people can live, work, and get their goods and services all in one place.

If you’re in the Fort Wayne area, here are some ways you can support local businesses.

1. Engage with Marketing

Local businesses don’t have as big of a marketing budget as other major corporations. This means they stick to cheaper means of marketing, like cultivating a social media presence.

You can support them on social media by following them and engaging with their content. This refers to likes, comments, and sharing of content. When accounts and posts get more engagement, they are prioritized by the algorithm, meaning they get shown to even more people.

If you’re wondering how to support local businesses without spending any money, this is the easiest way to do it.

2. Buy their Products

If you can afford it, buying the products or services is the most efficient way to support a small local business. This way you contribute to their profits and form part of their customer base.

Keep an eye out for local business events so you can find ones that might be selling something you’re interested in. Small Business Saturday is coming up! This is a great place to check out some local businesses and give them financial support.

Remember, you don’t always have to buy things for yourself. You can hire or buy vouchers for services from local businesses that you know your friends or family will enjoy. You can get your gifts from local stores.

If you value being part of a community that has local businesses to support, tour Willow Creek Crossing Apartments to learn more.

3. Leave Reviews

Reviews are a great way to support your local small business favorites. This is a more personal way to let other people know that you enjoyed your experience with the business and recommend that others check it out.

You can also contact the company directly to give them your review. This way they have the option of using it as part of their marketing content.

Writing a review also boosts the rating of the business on search engine result pages. As with social media, ranking prioritizes businesses with lots of engagement.

Support Local Businesses

If you’re going to buy the products anyway, you may as well support local businesses in the process. And if you don’t have a lot of extra money to spend supporting local businesses, you can still help them by engaging with their online presence and leaving reviews.

These small steps help keep local businesses afloat and build communities.

Contact us to find an apartment in Fort Wayne now!

People will often tell you that it makes more sense financially to buy a home than to rent one. However, this isn’t necessarily true. While investing in real estate will provide you with a valuable asset, it’s hardly cheaper than renting a home.

Yes, renting a home means you’re not building equity. However, not everyone is in a position to put down firm roots or take out a mortgage. Furthermore, if you’re looking to minimize your monthly expenses, renting is definitely the way to go.

But we don’t just expect you to take our word for it. Keep reading to learn about reducing costs by renting.

Mortgages Come With Interest

First, let’s take a look at monthly rent vs monthly mortgage payments. In some cases, rent will be higher for a home than what your monthly home loan payments would be. However, you need to look at the bigger picture.

Mortgages come with interest, and even low-interest rates add up quickly. For example, if you took out a $300,000 mortgage at 3.5% interest over 30 years, you would end up paying $184,968.26 in interest alone. Paying a slightly higher monthly expense for rent is much better than giving away almost $200K in interest fees.

No Closing Costs or Realtor Fees

Reducing costs by renting is easy when you consider the fact that buying a home comes with a ton of extra fees. Most realtors charge a 3% commission rate for their services. If you buy a $300,000 home, you would owe them $9,000.

Closing costs are also around 3%, making your total costs closer to $18K. While the seller sometimes pays these fees, it’s not guaranteed.

Landlords Often Pay for Utilities

If saving on monthly expenses is important to you, renting can help you eliminate or reduce your utility costs. Depending on the home you rent and your landlord, you might not have to pay for any of your utilities. In other cases, you and the landlord will split the utility costs.

If you were to buy a home, you would be 100% responsible for all utilities, services, HOA fees, and more.

No Maintenance or Repair Costs

One of the best things about renting a home is that you don’t have to handle repairs and maintenance. Not only will this save you time and frustration, but it will also help you reduce your monthly expenses.

The general rule of thumb is that homeowners should set aside 1% of their home’s value for yearly maintenance. Using the example above ($300,000), you would be paying $3,000 a year and that’s not including major/emergency repairs or renovations.

Moving to a New Home is Free

Finally, if you’re wondering, “Can rent save on monthly expenses?” consider the costs to move out of a home you own. As noted earlier, the seller typically covers realtor fees and closing costs.

But did you also know that the average home seller spends over $21k prepping their home for the market? When you rent, you can move out after your lease expires with no additional fees.

Want to Minimize Your Monthly Expenses?

As you can see, it can be much more affordable to rent a home rather than buy one. If you’re not ready to commit to a mortgage or put down roots, that’s okay.

Save money on your monthly expenses by renting an apartment. We completely understand and support your decision. Check out some of our available apartments for rent to see what you can find in your area.

Apartment living means making the most out of your space. There are approximately 40 million apartment renters in multi-family buildings in the United States today.

If you enjoy cooking, it’s important to make sure that you have the right types of appliances to help you reach your foodie goals.

Read on for a list of the seven best appliances for your apartment kitchen, so you can get the most out of every meal.

1. Coffee Maker

If you enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the morning, then a coffee maker should be number one on your list. Look for a coffee maker that has several options and automatic shutoff for safety. If you live alone, try a one-cup coffee maker that produces one single cup at a time.

2. Toaster and/or Toaster Oven

A toaster is a great choice for apartment life, but it only does one thing: make toast. If you like to make larger items that are toasted, go for a toaster oven instead. You can use them to make mini-pizzas, reheat leftovers, and much more.

3. Try an Air Fryer for Your Apartment Kitchen

Frying food can be extremely messy and pose a fire hazard. If you adore the taste of fried food, give an air fryer a try. Not only are these cooking appliances safer, but they’re awesome for all kinds of recipes, too.

4. Blender

Whether you’re making healthy smoothies or mixing margaritas, every apartment kitchen needs a quality blender. Choose a larger blender that can hold a lot of liquid in case you plan to make drinks for parties. This appliance is a must-have for awesome apartment life.

5. Microwave

Many people prefer to use a microwave when they’re doing apartment cooking, especially if they live alone. You don’t have to use your microwave for everything, but it definitely comes in handy for lots of different applications.

6. Stand Mixer

If you love to bake and make recipes from scratch, then you’ll definitely want to add a stand mixer to your apartment kitchen. A mixer makes it easy to prepare all kinds of great foods from fresh bread and cookies to pizza dough.

7. Slow Cooker

From pot roast to beef stew, a slow cooker is an awesome small appliance to add to your kitchen setup. These handy appliances make it easy to create one-pot meals that you can enjoy for several days. With so many recipes to try, this is certainly one appliance you can’t live without.

Update Your Kitchen Today

Keep these seven helpful appliances in mind so you’ll have everything you need for your apartment kitchen. Whether it’s a new coffee maker, an air fryer, or a blender, the sky is the limit when it comes to apartment cooking.

If you’re ready to find a new place, be sure to check out Willow Creek Crossing Apartments and contact us today so we can help you find your next apartment or townhome.

The new year is well underway. How are your 2022 New Year’s resolutions coming along? Don’t worry, we won’t judge.

While you’re making your resolutions to get fit, stop ordering out so often, and get out of debt, why not consider making some resolutions for your Fort Wayne apartment?

Not sure what that could mean? Keep reading for a few apartment-related New Year’s resolution ideas.

Declutter

We know that you’ve been spending the winter hoarding and hibernating. Now that the new year is here, it’s time to declutter and freshen up your space for 2022. Out with the old, in with the new.

Start with several boxes. You want a box for items that you’ll keep, throw away, donate, and repair or repurpose. It’s also helpful to have a “wrong room” box if your apartment has more than one room.

Go through all of your items room-by-room and determine whether or not they’re still useful to you. You can try the Konmari method (does it spark joy?) or simply “feel it out.”

Remember that every item should have a place. If something doesn’t have a place, and you can’t find a place for it, toss it in a box.

Deep Clean Everything

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to deep clean. With everyone spending more time at home the past couple of years, our spaces could definitely benefit from a good deep cleaning. 

If you don’t have a lot of spare time, hire a professional cleaner for the job. They come pre-equipped with everything that they need to get your apartment looking fresh and new. Or, ask a friend or family member to help out.

On the other hand, sometimes a good deep-cleaning session is a great weekend activity. 

Start an Indoor Workout Routine

If you’re trying to get fit in 2022, you don’t have to leave your apartment to do so. You can start a workout routine even with minimal space as long as you have the right motivation.

Look for helpful online resources. Many fitness “gurus” post videos on Youtube that are perfect for at-home exercisers even if they don’t have equipment.

If you want some apartment-friendly workout gear, consider picking up space-saving options like a yoga mat, stackable dumbbells, and fitness bands.

Craft Your Indoor Garden

Indoor gardening is all the rage. Nothing beats being able to grow your own food. If you haven’t already given it a try, 2022 is the best time to start. 

Gardening, even indoors, is great for your mental health. An indoor garden is also the perfect addition to any style of interior decor.

Growing herbs, lettuces, or microgreens will give your space a little greenery while supplying you with fresh, nutrient-rich foods to help nourish your body and work with your resolutions to eat healthier and get fit.

What Will You Do in Your Fort Wayne Apartment This Year?

These resolutions can make 2022 in your Fort Wayne apartment your best year yet. Which will you try? Whether you’re getting fit, gardening, or getting your space as clean as possible, you’ll start the year off on the right foot.

Are you looking for apartments in Fort Wayne, Indiana? At Willow Creek Crossing, we have what you’re looking for. Check out our current apartments for rent and find your new home today.

In the U.S., there are more than 43 million households living in rented spaces. Renting a property is often the best option, as you can be more flexible about where and when you move. One thing many people look for when it comes to renting an apartment is the price. With rising rents, you may think that it’s hard to find an apartment within your budget.

But, rent can often be more affordable than you think! Keep reading for tips on how to save money on rent, so you can add to your savings. Let’s jump into it!

Location

When looking for an affordable apartment, consider its location. Renting an apartment in the heart of downtown is going to be more expensive than renting an apartment elsewhere. While you want your new home to be close to work, entertainment, dining, and nightlife, looking just outside the city’s hot spot will help you save on rent.

In this case, they may also give you a discount if you agree to end your contract before the summer. This is so they can use it for holiday rentals.

If you are a good tenant throughout your lease, you may also get a discount on rent. Taking care of your apartment, and being a good neighbor will help your case! Also, try and get to know your landlord a little, and build a trusting relationship for both parties.

Lease Length

When renting an apartment, you may be able to get a reduced rate if you sign a longer lease. While a 6-month lease may sound more appealing, it may also come with a higher price tag. Longer leases provide security for the apartment community and will save them the time of having to find new renters sooner. Less work for them means less money spent in rent for you!

Avoid Late Fees

Paying your rent on time can also help you save money. Many apartment communities charge a late fee when rent isn’t paid on time. A late charge of 10% of your monthly rent could mean that you’re paying an extra $60 or more each time you pay late.

Save yourself time and extra money by setting up recurring payments if possible so you never forget to pay your rent.

Look For a Roommate

If you are renting alone, finding a roommate to live with could be a great idea. Not only does this reduce your rent, but you have someone to split other household expenses with. Sharing an apartment also helps with things like cleaning and buying groceries. You can share the responsibilities and living costs, which will make both your lives easier!

Learn How to Save Money on Rent

Now, you have several ideas on how to save money on rent. Rent can be a big expense each month, so the more you can cut back, the more you can save in the long term.

Living or relocating to Fort Wayne? At Willow Creek Crossing we have some amazing apartments. We have different sizes of homes to suit solo renters or families. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our apartments.