After college, the first thing most students do if find their first job in their chosen profession and move out into their own home. This isn’t as easy as it might seem, so here are a few ideas to help you have a more comfortable first apartment or house.

Take stock of what you already have. Most likely you have a bed and dresser in the home you grew up in, ask your parents if you can take it with you. You probably also have a little furniture from your college days, that will get you through until you have a couple paychecks under your belt. The less you have to buy, the better.

If you are asked what you need the most, suggest cleaning products. Even though you may have been told that someone already went through the house or apartment and it’s clean, you really should go over it again before moving in. Since cleaning products can be pricey, especially when you are going to need to buy groceries for the first time, this is a great suggestion for those at a loss.

The first room to really concentrate on is the kitchen. This is one room that all your friends are going to see, and surely you are going to do some light entertaining. Forgo the purchase of a fancy area rug or end tables in the living room and instead purchase a good solid table and chairs set. Most likely they are going to get the most use since everyone tends to gravitate to the kitchen eventually.

You really do need to purchase a quality kitchen knife set instead of cheaper knives. Spending a little more here can save you a lot of money in the long run. Not only will you not be replacing them constantly, they are made with as much safety in mind as knives can be. Having a cheap blade that breaks with in use can become instantly disastrous.

Something else to think about when buy knives is to consider the purchase of a knife block set. They will extend the life of your knives by preventing them from being knocked about in a drawer and losing their edge or getting nicks. They will also keep your knives within handy reach, exactly where they are supposed to be when you need them.

You will also need to buy a few small kitchen appliances. Most any toaster will work, but take care when purchasing a mixer. A Cuisinart hand mixer is always a wise decision. Not only are they attractive but they have a good warranty and are great for a number of cooking jobs. They can handle everything from whipping potatoes to creating a perfectly fluffy mousse.

Well, other than the kitchen, the last room that’s really important is the bathroom. Make sure you have plenty of towels and a good non-slip bath rug. Of course you will probably need a shower curtain so make sure you get one that is going to last for a while. I highly suggest going with fabric as it’s simple to wash up and won’t tear and give you problems within a couple of months. Once again, it’s an issue of quality over cost. In the long run, remembering when you can afford quality to buy it is actually going to save you a lot of money.