Author: Emily Bell

A renter’s guide to being financially responsible-ish.

Ask RPM: How Do I Save Money Without Feeling Miserable?

January loves a budget. Your bank account loves one too. Your spirit? Depends on how you do it.

At RPM, we believe saving money shouldn’t feel like punishment. You don’t need to cut joy – you need to cut the stuff you don’t even care about.

Here’s what RPM recommends:

1. Audit before you restrict

Cancel subscriptions you forgot existed. If you haven’t opened it since August, it’s done.

2. Pick one “no-spend” category

Coffee out. Late-night delivery. Random online shopping. Choose one villain, not all of them.

3. Make staying in appealing

Stock snacks you love. Upgrade your couch situation. Your apartment should feel like a destination, not a compromise.

4. Automate the boring stuff

Savings transfers. Rent reminders. The less you think about it, the more it works.

5. Leave room for joy

A budget with zero fun never survives. Plan for the things you look forward to.

Because saving money isn’t about deprivation – it’s about spending on purpose (and still enjoying your life). And if you’re looking for an apartment that fits your lifestyle and budget, you can explore RPM Living communities across the US.

– RPM

Four RPM Living Communities and Two Leaders Honored at the 2025 APEX Awards

RPM Living communities and leaders were recognized at the 2025 APEX Awards, celebrating excellence in leasing performance, operations, and resident experience.

Four communities earned top honors:

• Rise 510 – Lease-Up (300+ Units)

• Alloy – Mid-Rise (50–299 Units)

• The Beverly at Medical Center – Built 2000–2009 (50–299 Units)

• Junewood Apartment Homes – Lease-Up (50–299 Units)

In addition, two RPM leaders were recognized as Professional of the Year finalists in maintenance leadership:

• Luis Martinez

• Robert Garza

These recognitions reflect the consistency, leadership, and operational excellence demonstrated by RPM teams across the Austin market.

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Peppertree Apartments and Leyland Pointe Named Best Apartment Complex for 2025 by Business Rate

Resident feedback continues to speak volumes across RPM Living communities.

Based on verified Google Reviews, Peppertree Apartments was named Best Apartment Complex in Winchester for 2025 by Business Rate. Business Rate sources its rankings directly from public Google listings, meaning this recognition is driven entirely by resident feedback and verified online reputation data.

This honor reflects the Peppertree team’s commitment to delivering a resident experience that people are proud to share.

In addition, Leyland Pointe has been named Best Apartment Complex in East Point, Georgia for 2025 by Business Rate, also using verified Google Reviews as the basis for recognition.

Congratulations to both teams for consistently creating meaningful experiences that residents value and recognize.

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Making Winter Feel a Little More Enjoyable in Your Apartment

Winter has a reputation problem. It’s cold, it gets dark at 4:37 p.m., and suddenly leaving your apartment feels optional at best.

But winter doesn’t have to be something you just survive. It can be… tolerated. Maybe even enjoyed. (Let’s not get carried away.)

At RPM Living, we think home should make the tougher seasons feel easier. Winter is a good time to lean into that.

Here’s how RPM recommends making winter feel a little more livable – and dare we say, pleasant.

1. Upgrade the basics you use every day

Winter magnifies inconvenience. If your lighting is harsh, your blankets are thin, or your coffee situation is disappointing, you’ll feel it more now.

Fix the small things first – warm lighting, a blanket you actually like, a mug that makes your morning better.

2. Lean into “early home” energy

Winter is not the season for overstaying plans. Leave earlier. Come home sooner. Put on something comfortable immediately.

Your apartment should feel like a reward, not the place you end up when plans fall apart.

3. Make staying in feel intentional

There’s a difference between staying in because you’re tired and staying in because you planned to.

Put on your favorite movie. Put on a playlist. Cook something warm or order the thing you’ve been craving all week. If you’re going to be home anyway, you might as well romanticize it a little.

4. Find one reason to leave the house

Not ten. One.

A coffee walk. A short errand. A quick lap around the block. Fresh air and daylight do wonders, even when it’s cold out. Bonus points if it doesn’t require getting in your car.

5. Let winter be slower

You don’t need to optimize every evening or pack every weekend. Winter is allowed to be quiet.

Rest counts. Comfort counts. Doing less, on purpose, counts.

Because winter doesn’t need to be magical – it just needs to feel a little easier than last year. And at RPM Living, we believe home plays a big role in that. If you’re searching for an RPM Living community near you, you can browse our communities across the US.

– RPM

Bishop Momo Earns Gold at the MHN Excellence Awards

We love a good gold moment – and this one is worth celebrating.

RPM Living’s Austin community, Bishop Momo, earned Gold at the MHN Excellence Awards for Best 2025 Marketing Campaign, recognizing a campaign that blended strategy, creativity, and authentic local connection.

The award-winning campaign was created and submitted by Asterisk, with strong collaboration between RPM Living’s corporate marketing team and on-site execution at the community level. Together, the teams leveraged resident experience, local partnerships, and community-focused content to bring the campaign to life in a way that felt both authentic and scalable.

It’s a great example of what happens when thoughtful strategy meets strong execution – and a proud moment for everyone involved.

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Mariana Estrada Featured in NAA’s UNITS Magazine

The conversation around the future of rental housing continues to evolve – and we’re proud to see RPM Living leaders helping shape it.

Our Chief Strategy Officer, Mariana Estrada, was recently featured in the January–February issue of UNITS Magazine in an article exploring the economic, regulatory, and operational forces influencing what’s next for the multifamily industry.

In the piece, Mariana shares perspective on how thoughtful strategy, disciplined execution, and a focus on efficiency and experience can help organizations remain resilient in a changing landscape.

Her insights highlight the importance of balancing scale with intention – and staying grounded in what truly drives long-term success for operators and residents alike.

Read the full article on NAA’s website here.

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A Strong Showing for RPM Living at the Anchor Awards

The Anchor Awards delivered a big moment for RPM Living – and our Georgia team rose to the occasion.

We’re proud to recognize several associates and communities who were honored for their leadership, performance, and impact across the region. These awards reflect the dedication and consistency it takes to deliver exceptional experiences every day.

Anchor Award winners include:

Ansley Aldridge – Leasing Professional of the Year

Dana Jiles – Regional Manager of the Year

Marcelle Littlejohn – Community Manager of the Year

10x Trellis – Community of the Year

Congratulations to our Georgia team on a well-earned showing. We’re proud to have you representing RPM Living and setting the standard across our communities.

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Ask RPM: How Do I Actually Stick to My New Year Goals?

January is ambitious. Everyone’s motivated. Everyone has a plan. Everyone thinks this is the year everything changes. And then it’s mid-month, you’re tired, and your goals are already asking for more than you can give.

At RPM, we believe the problem isn’t motivation – it’s expectations.

Here’s how to set goals that actually survive real life.

1. Pick goals that fit your daily routine

The best goals don’t require a full lifestyle overhaul.

If you want to move more, use what’s nearby – a quick gym session (at your RPM fitness center 😉), a walk, a short workout at home. If it’s convenient, you’ll do it. If it’s complicated, you won’t.

2. Make the habit easier than skipping it

Set yourself up so doing the thing takes less effort than avoiding it.

Shoes by the door. Water bottle on the counter. Meal ingredients you’ll actually use. Convenience is the secret weapon no one talks about.

3. Stop aiming for “every day”

Every day is unnecessary pressure. Three times a week is strong. Four is elite.

Consistency matters more than frequency, and guilt helps no one.

4. Track progress casually

You don’t need a color-coded system unless that genuinely brings you joy.

A Notes app list. Calendar checkmarks. A vague sense of momentum. All valid.

5. Build goals that work on low-energy days

If your habit only works when you’re well-rested, motivated, and thriving, it’s not a habit – it’s a fantasy.

Design goals for tired Tuesdays, busy weeks, and cold nights when staying in feels correct.

Because the best New Year goals aren’t impressive – they’re repeatable.
And having a home that supports your routines can make sticking with them a little easier. If you’re looking for an RPM Living community near you, you can explore our communities across the US.

– RPM

RPM Communities Recognized in J Turner’s 2025 Rising 1K Rankings

Online reputation plays a critical role in today’s resident experience – and RPM Living communities are leading the way. This year, 20 RPM communities earned spots on J Turner Research’s 2025 Rising 1K ORA Power Rankings, which highlight the most improved online reputations nationwide from January through October.

A special congratulations goes to The Watermark, which ranked #3 out of thousands of communities across the country. J Turner Research even traveled to personally deliver the trophy, recognizing the team’s standout achievement.

View the complete Rising 1K rankings and recognized communities on J Turner Research’s website.

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RPM Living Awarded Property Management Company of the Year (Silver)

RPM Living has been recognized as Property Management Company of the Year (Silver) in the 2025 MHN Excellence Awards – an achievement that reflects the dedication, strategy, and innovation happening across our communities every day.

This recognition celebrates the work behind the scenes, where service becomes an experience and thoughtful strategy delivers real results. From strong partnerships to teams who genuinely care, the award highlights the art and science that define RPM’s approach to property management.

To explore the full list of 2025 MHN Excellence Awards winners, visit the official MHN website.

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