Black Belt Shopper
(featured column)
Graduation Time: Setting up Your New Home
by Larry
Wiener
You’re looking at the empty house or apartment you just moved into. Maybe you’re a recent grad who had been living with others and is now going out on your own. Maybe you’ve just split up and have to start over. Maybe you’re moving from smaller to larger
quarters, perhaps from an apartment to your first home.
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Setting up a house whether you’re starting out or starting over can be overwhelming, both personally and financially. With all the furniture, appliances, dishes and what not that go with starting up a house, a little black belt shopping can help you mightily. Here are some tips to consider.
Stay Out of Debt
If you’re just setting up housekeeping, amassing a large amount of debt is tempting, but most of the writers on this site will tell you it’s the last thing you want to do. Starting out on the debt path can haunt you for years. Beginning your new life without extending yourself financially could leave you feeling so financially free.
To stay out of debt while furnishing a house can be challenging. You may have to delay some purchases for awhile, but the financial freedom is worth it.
Let’s say you need a stove, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. It would be tempting to go to the local appliance store and buy them all new and on payments.
Think again, however, before you take on debt for new appliances. If you’re a little short of cash, it may make more sense to buy these appliances used. Some thrift stores even offer warranties. Then you can save for replacements so that when your used appliances go out, you can buy brand new appliances without going into payments. Or, if all goes well, you may be able to buy your replacement appliances before they go out and sell the old ones.
One family I know elected not to buy a dryer for a few months to avoid debt. Looking back months later, they felt they made the right decision. Putting up clothes wasn’t that big a hassle and gaining financial freedom sooner rather than later was worth it to them.
Likewise, eating your meals off a card table or snack trays for a month or so is a small price to pay for not going into debt to buy a dining room set.
Visit the Dollar Stores and Closeout Stores
If you’re just setting up a household, you’d be surprised at how many start up items (buckets, spatulas, etc.) a dollar store such as Dollar Tree or the 99 Cent Only Store would have. Some of those items may not be of great quality, so check if that matters to you.
General closeout stores such as Big Lots could be great sources for bargains on garden hoses, wastepaper baskets, and the like.
If your budget allows you to purchase a few more upscale household items, consider the more upmarket closeout stores such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods. There you’ll find quality housewares and linen at far below department store prices.
Make a Priority List
Decide what you really want or need to get soon and what can wait. Can you live without a dryer for awhile so you can have a nicely furnished living room? Is a dining room set more important that a bedroom set?
Go for Quality
When I bought my condo 20 years ago, I saw a set of high end stainless on sale at a really good price. I use it all the time and it still looks nearly new.
Most of the time, it is more economical to buy quality merchandise that will last you a long time, especially if you can get it on sale. This is particularly true of tools you use every day. An added bonus is that you will enjoy using the quality item more than the cheaply made one.
You may have to go for quality in steps. If, for example, you can’t afford good quality stainless, you may want to get enough dollar store type forks and knives to get you through the next few months. Then, as funds become available and as you see markdowns, you can trade in your makeshift collection for something you will enjoy.
Get To Know the Resources in Your Area
If you’re new in an area or if buying home furnishings has not been on your radar screen, check out some of the local shopping
experts. If you need more information you can can read my previous
column on how to do that.
You’d be surprised at what you may find.
If you plan to be doing quite a bit of buying, you might want to subscribe to the local newspaper so you can look for sales.
Research Major Purchases
When you buy furniture, appliances, and the like, you are making major purchases some of which you will be living with for a long time. Before buying, do your homework. Consumer Reports and similar magazines give professional brand-by-brand reports based on lab tests and surveys.
Epinions.com contains reviews from people who actually use the products. Check these out.
Consider Buying Used
Our mobile lifestyle means that attractive, quality used merchandise is readily available. Used doesn’t have to mean someone else’s tired looking castoffs.
If I have a lot to buy and a somewhat limited budget, I would much rather buy a quality used item than a cheaply made new one, especially in expensive items such as furniture.
If you happen to live in an area with quite a few yard sales, you may want to stop by a few.
Check out Karen Kuebler's column for some great tips about yard
sales.
I've also written more about buying used which can be found here.
Check it out.
Consider a Registry
All of us know about wedding and baby registries. Don’t feel that you can’t start a home furnishings registry.
If you are in a family or group of friends who regularly gives each other gifts, the people who give you gifts may appreciate having a registry so they can help you furnish your new home.
Many stores have "wish list" registries besides the basic bridal and baby registries. Some have an online component.
Amazon.com will allow you to create a "wish list" and you can give that list to whomever you want.
If you start a registry, be sure to ask for items that people in your circle can afford. I have used two wedding registries to buy gifts in the past year or so. One person included mostly overpriced merchandise and really put me off by actually asking for a second gift. The other included gifts for as little as a dollar in her registry and gave opportunities to spend as much or as little as I pleased.
If your birthday is coming or if a lot of friends have expressed an interest in giving you a housewarming gift, a registry may help make their work easier and leave you with more items that you want.
Yes, meeting all the startup expenses of your first home or larger quarters without going into debt can be challenging. It takes time, creativity, and sometimes a little self-denial.
The good news is this: even though doing it right may mean a little delayed gratification, seeing your home improve without dragging down your financial situation leads to a great deal of gratification as you turn your new house into a home.
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Copyright
© 2003, 2006 by Larry Wiener, author of The Black
Belt Shopper's Guide
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