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Over the years I've lived in 12 different homes as my personal and financial circumstances have changed. With each move I had to furnish a different living space, and often my old furniture didn't fit my new life. Here are the different venues I've used to furnish my home on a small budget.
Thrift Stores and Flea Markets
When I immigrated to the United States I had very little money. To furnish the apartment I rented, I visited a thrift store. Though the furniture there was used, the items had all been professionally cleaned and repaired. I was able to find a beautiful living room and dining room set for $175.
I then visited a flea market, where I found a new mattress for $50, as well as a worn out bedroom set for $39, which I repaired and painted. In all, I spent $264 instead of my original budget of $300, saving $36.
Rent-to-Own
After investing all my savings in buying my first home, I was unable to afford new furniture. However, like many first-time homeowners, I was excited about my new living space, and I wanted the very best for it.
A co-worker recommended a rent-to-own store, which she had used herself. I found a perfect living room, dining room and bedroom set, which I rented for a monthly fee. To further cut my monthly payment I opted for an Early Purchase option, which enabled me to make a bigger bulk payment at the end of the lease term. Instead of spending $2,500, which I did not have. I spent $125 a month, which fell below my budget of $150.
Consignment Home Decor Store
After relocating from Florida to North Carolina, I was forced to downgrade my living space due to the more expensive real estate market in my new State. Since my old furniture could not fit in my new apartment, I needed to sell my old things and buy new ones.
A friend recommended a consignment home decor store. Since my furniture looked like new, the store agreed to place my items on their floor and pay me once a sale was completed. In the meantime, I was able to choose like-new furniture in the showroom and buy it on credit.
Two months later, after the sale of my furniture, I was able to pay off my purchase and pocket $235.
Online Outlet
When I relocated again from North Carolina to Washington, I was in a position to buy a bigger home than the one I had sold. I furnished my first floor with the items I brought with me, but I needed to buy new furniture for the basement.
Though I planned to shop for furniture locally, I ran an online search for a living room set because I wanted to compare prices. To my surprise I found wonderful furniture deals at an online outlet. Even after adding the high-weight shipping costs, the furniture was sold at 80% off. Instead of paying $850 in a local store, I paid $170.
0% Financing
After buying my second home, I decided to upgrade all my furniture to better quality items that will last for years. I looked for sale advertisements in a local newspaper and found an attractive offer. A high-quality furniture manufacturer was running a 0% financing program for one year.
Though the program did not require me to make any payments for 12 months, I decided to pay off the loan gradually over the period. In this way, I reached the end of the financing program with a $0 balance. In this way I could spent my entire $3,500 budget on furniture, instead of leaving a portion to cover any interest on the purchase.
Garage Sales
Over the years, I've found useful furniture pieces at garage sales, for just a few dollars. I turned a $3 wooden chest into a beautiful bedroom bench, in which I could store blankets. I've also found an $8 picnic table, $15 computer desk and $21 ornate mirror in recent months. And though I never shop at garage sales with a strict budget in mind, I make a point not to exceed $50.
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