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Fill Your Home on a Budget Without Visiting a Rent-to-Own
Store
By First Federal Bank
Special to The Truth
A new couch, a shiny
refrigerator, a big screen TV - all for a low monthly
payment. It seems too good to be true; and in most cases, it
is. Furnishing your home can be expensive, but with these
few tips you can create your home sweet home without
breaking the bank.
Ask around – If your friends or
family are also preparing to purchase furniture, their old
items will need a place to go. Throwing furniture away, or
donating it to charity, can be a hassle for them but an
opportunity for you to score furniture for cheap.
Check out garage sales and flea
markets
– With a sharp eye, you may find a diamond in the rough.
Before purchasing a second-hand item, ask yourself these
questions first – Is the item in good working condition? Can
I refresh this to match my style with paint, new fabric or
hardware? If you answered yes to both, go ahead and take
the deal. Remember, you can always respectfully negotiate.
Take your time – Furnishing an entire
home is expensive. We recommend prioritizing what rooms you
would like to fill first. This will give you time to catch
seasonal sales. For example, you can find deals on small
furniture items at mega stores like Target and Walmart
around September as they try to sell dorm room essentials
from their sales floor.
Resist the urge to match
– While a matching living room set looks nice in a show
room, you can make an eclectic mix of furniture look
stunning too. Tie different pieces together with a common
color or pattern. For tips on how to do this check out
Pinterest.com.
Get more bang for your buck
– By using a rewards debit or credit card you can earn
points on the furniture and décor you are buying and then
redeem it for more purchases for your home.
It may take some extra
work to find the right deals, but nothing will help you
relax in your home more than recalling all of your bargains.
For more advice on budgeting and lending alternatives go to
First-Fed.com or visit your nearest First Federal Bank
branch.
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