You’ve moved into a new house and want – and need – some new items to furnish and equip it, but if you have a poor credit rating, what’s the best way to go about getting them without using bad credit credit cards?
The first thing to consider is what you might be able to get without paying a bean. There are many community recycling schemes where unwanted household items are offered for free to local people.
- Check in your area about what’s available and join. You may be able to post requests for things you need, or look regularly to see what’s being given away and apply for it.
- Local furniture projects are another good way to get free or discounted items. They collect unwanted furniture from people who no longer need them, then pass them onto people who do. Again, find out the names of your local organizations and talk to them to find out if you’re eligible.
- Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends if they have unwanted items they are keen to pass on. They’ll love the feeling of satisfaction at seeing their old furniture going to a good new home.
Go online and check eBay and other auction websites for bargains. If you bid, be careful not to get too excited and exceed what you can afford. Always ensure you have the money available to pay straight away. Check prices of similar items that have sold to ensure you don’t pay too much and read the product descriptions carefully. Factor in shipping costs, especially if it’s a big piece of furniture or heavy item. If you bid wisely and get lucky, using online auction sites can be a great way to get all sorts of items for the home at a low and affordable price. All without having to resort to a bad credit credit cards.
It’s also always worth a good hunt round your local junk and second-hand stores. Don’t give up on the first visit if you don’t find anything. Keep going back, as stock changes all the time and new products keep arriving. Let them know if you’re looking for something in particular and get them to call you if it comes into the shop. Don’t be afraid to go to mainstream stores at sale times. Particularly at the end of the sale period, furniture and households items can be drastically cut in price.
You might not get the exact make and model you were looking for but if you can save a large amount of money, it’s definitely worth the compromise. You’ll also get a guarantee which will protect you if the product breaks down or falls apart within the timescale of the guarantee.
Think about things you can make yourself. It might be possible to run up your own curtains, tablecloths duvet covers and cushion covers. Can anything that’s broken be repaired if the cost is less than buying another one? A worn and faded sofa could benefit from a new covering, or simply use a throw to hide the tatty bits.
Finally – and this might sound a bit drastic – but are there things you can simply do without? Prioritise which items you really need, whether it’s replacing something that’s broken or getting a bigger bed for a growing child. A washing machine is now regarded as a basic kitchen appliance but a dishwasher isn’t, so if things are tight, don’t get one.
The less important items can wait for a while.
This is a guest post written by Money Supermarket, a UK based comparison site.
What furniture items and appliances could you live without for a while?
3 Comments
What is it about filling a house with furniture? A very long time ago (60s), I visited a very rich man’s house. He lived next door to the ex governor of New York. The living areas were furnished beautifully with expensive furniture, artwork, etc. The upstairs bedrooms had sheets on the windows and were partially furnished. It was not because of lack of money. He was not ready to finish those rooms. There is nothing wrong with that and yet poorer people feel they must fill rooms with cheap junk. To add to the problem, they pay for it with high interest.
Going to garage sales is a good idea too. If you stick around towards the end, the sellers often are happy to give things away for free that didn’t sell, esp. if they are getting ready to relocate and just want to clean house.
@SillySimple – That’s what my husband and I did for quite a while- we sat on the floor! I’d say that acquiring furniture takes time and it’s okay to furnish a room, one room at a time. There’s no need to go into debt for furniture. 😉