“You Asked” is a recurring series that answers readers’ questions about living on a budget in NYC.  We’ll answer everything from how to find your first apartment, to what NYC unemployment laws state, to where to take a first date for dinner on $20.  Feel free to send your own questions to lauren@lifestylermag.com

Last week, LifeStyler reader, Lacey, shot us over this question:  “How long do I need to be at my new job to get an apartment?

About five years ago, I was laid off from my job and had to share a basement one-bedroom apartment with a friend for about four months.  It wasn’t my brightest moment.  But the biggest mistake I made was moving out into another way more expensive apartment in the East Village a mere month after starting my new full-time job, completely disregarding basic financial logic that would have me wait a good 3 to 4 months to make sure I was financially secure.

A good rule of thumb for being at a new job before you make the leap to your first (or a new) apartment is to wait around six months.  This may seem like a long time to wait to move into a new place, but there’s a few reasons why taking a bit of time is a better option instead of jumping straight into a new job and a new apartment simultaneously.

Save Ample Cash

The most obvious reason for waiting to move into a new place is to save enough cash so that you’ll be able to cover your bills.  The first few months after moving into a new place are likely the most expensive months you’ll experience in your new pad.  This is because you’re not only paying a security deposit and two months rent upfront, but you’re also paying for movers, new furniture and delivery costs.  You’re also stocking up on all of the insignificant day to day gadgets that you typically take for granted when living with your parents or other roommates — like pots, pans, utensils, flatware.  And you have to account for utility companies’ setup fees, which will increase your first month’s bill.  These things can seriously add up, and you need to make sure you have a few months rent saved up for the various miscellaneous costs you’ll encounter.

Give Yourself Time to Settle in Your New Job

The last thing you want to do is pour thousands of dollars into a new place, and then realize that you absolutely hate your job.  Giving yourself six months of lag time between getting a new job and moving into a new place gives you time to settle into your new position and make sure that it’s a good fit.  You may realize that you absolutely hate your job, and quitting might mean taking a part-time job doing something just to fill the cash void  instead of being able to take the time needed to find another full-time position that complements your education and experience. This can obviously cause a lot of unneeded stress.

Save Yourself a Boatload of Stress

Starting a new job can be stressful.  Moving is inherently stressful.  Doing both simultaneously or within a month or two of each other?  You’d better plan that vacation now.  Save yourself the mounting stress of both worrying about your finances and learning the ins and outs of your new position by allowing a suitable amount of time to pass in between the two, and you’ll save yourself a ton of stress in the process.

The thought of finding a new place and getting settled into your new life is understandably exciting, but don’t throw caution to the wind and jump headfirst into a situation that can be very emotionally and financially draining.  You’ll thank yourself later for taking the time to plan for a life change as major as getting your first place.

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