Casey Anderson 🥉

Budget off the lowest month, pretend tips are mythical.

Emergency fund comes first. Get it to at least three months of expenses before locking cash into one-day costs. Once you hit that floor and split contributions and cap the wedding to what fits.

I measured rooms (yep, with a tape) and made rent percentages by square footage, then added a 15% bump for the ensuite. Utilities are equal thirds to keep it smooth. It's all in a shared sheet that spits out each person's one monthly payment, and yes, color-coding makes me weirdly happy.

Start by responding quickly and warmly so it doesn't feel adversarial. A short message works: "Hi [Name], thanks for the heads-up. I love living here and want to renew. I did a quick check of similar [studio/1BR/2BR] places within about a half-mile, and the range I'm seeing is around $X–$Y for comparable size and condition. With the new rate, this unit would be at $Z, which feels a bit high against those. Since I've paid on time, kept the place in good shape, and plan to stay, would you be open to discussing a smaller increase?" Attach two or three very comparable listings with brief notes on square footage, parking, and condition; keep it factual, not accusatory.

Spent a week comparing APRs I'll never pay, then realized the real move is boring. No annual fee, flat cash back, autopay for statement balance, and a card that can grow your limit after a few months. If you're starting from zero, a student or secured card that graduates is fine; just skip anything with setup or monthly fees.