I have been living in my apartment now for almost seven months, and during that time, I’ve survived many of the battles renters face. There is one thing that still catches me off guard from time to time, though - those little issues that do not fit into the building engineer’s fix-it list.

I’ve run into three such speed bumps so far. Luckily, thanks to my extraordinary problem solving abilities (and maybe a few calls to the parents), I’ve survived them all.

Issue #1: Laundry. Of course, I’ve been doing my own laundry for years. However, I’ve had to learn a few new tricks upon discovering that my building’s washers prefer eating my delicates as opposed to washing them. I’ve also given up on trying to dry my clothes in those ancient fire hazards they call dryers. So how do I clean my clothes and keep them in one piece?

A good alternative to a washing machine is the old-fashioned hand washing in the sink. The items get just as clean and still look the same after I’m finished instead of becoming a misshapen blob.

As for drying, find some old wire and a little space and create your own clothesline. Not only will the clothes get dry, but the apartment will also gain that freshly washed scent. Score! (Oh, and paperclips make great clothespins.)

Issue #2: Spills and Stains. They are inevitably going to happen - on the floor, furniture, etc. The best solution is to keep the cleaning cupboard stocked and ready. Clean all spills immediately, and don’t forget to blot not scrub.

Anyone who is a little clumsy like me may want to take preventative measures like investing in darker furniture and maybe a rug to cover the carpet - you don’t want to be footing that bill at the end of the lease. Or you can just learn to appreciate a white wine as much as that merlot. (Riesling is my new favorite.)

Issue #3: Assembly. This is the biggest challenge I’ve faced while living alone. Most of my furniture required assembly and had less than satisfactory instructions - yes, I read the instructions. The only advice I have here is to have a good toolkit, patience and a great sense of humor. After all, it doesn’t really matter if the holes are on the wrong side - you can always just make your own. Plus, these pieces are great for moving, as it doesn’t matter if they get a little banged up in the process.

Thanks to my time on my own, I’ve conquered these and many other dilemmas unscathed (minus a few bruises and a sacrificed shirt or two), and have become quite the little handy woman. What challenges have you faced that you had to solve on your own?