It's not just first-time homeowners who have to find budget furniture. In fact almost everyone, at one time or another, had to furnish a home or apartment on a budget. I know that I borrowed furniture from my parents, gratefully took grandparents' offerings, and shopped at garage sales. But eventually I wanted something to trade out the hand-me-downs from family and strangers for things that would actually help me create a more mature and coordinated home.
I had to find ways to stretch my mini-budget without sacrificing my taste for nice things. I was surprised to find out how many places there were to find bargains.
Don't expect to find exactly what you want or need. You might have to be creative and adapt what you can find to what you need.
Learn to see pieces for the details and lines they have, not just for what you can put in them. If you see a beautiful teak table instead of the mahogany desk you need, thing about refinishing it and adding filing drawers. A period side table can be painted and moved into the bedroom.
Don't buy a piece if you'll need to do too much work on it. Think about your skills and the time you have and the space you have to work in.
See if your neighborhood has some of these sources for budget furniture:
Garage SalesYou might be able to walk next door on a Saturday morning and find just the piece you need. What your neighbor is getting rid of may be just the piece you need. When shopping at a garage sale, always bring cash, look for defects, and be ready to negotiate on the price. It's usually expected and you can often get a great bargain.
Flea MarketsMany communities and colleges stage flea markets on weekends at large parking lots. Vendors set up their wares and you can wander around looking for what you need. Beware: you might not find what you need but you probably won't get away without buying something.
Your Neighborhood Dumpsters or CurbsideAs you take a walk around your neighborhood, keep your eyes open for furniture pieces left on the curb. The end of the month is a good time, since that's when people are clearing out their homes to get ready to move. "One man's trash is another man's treasure," as the saying goes. I found a great wrought iron table and bench on the curb once--both at the same house. I sanded off the rust and painted the pieces with rust-proof finishing paint. The table is on my patio and the bench at the end of my bed.
Thrift Stores and Junk StoresLocal charities, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army often provide thrift stores where people can bring their household discards and unneeded furniture to donate for tax deduction. The money raised from making sales goes into your local community to help those in need. It might take a few trips and perseverance, but if you're successful you'll really get a bargain. Enlist friends to be on the lookout, too.
Consignment StoresA great strategy for consignment store shopping is to introduce yourself to the owner and ask them to call when your needed item comes in. People bring their things to be sold and they get only a portion of the sale. A hospital in my community has a consignment store that receives beautiful estate pieces. I've sold and bought things there.
Model Home FurnishingsHome builders contract with designers to decorate and furnish their model homes. If you see a model you like, ask the sales office when they'll remove the furnishings. Ask where they sell their pieces. You might even be able to buy a roomful of furniture, coordinated by a designer. And you'll get the pieces well below market price. Beware of fading, spots, or wear-and-tear.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments. After a day of hard work you can relax in your luxury rental apartment and buy undergarments for yourself or your loved one online here. You can check out the women’s clothing undergarment blogs and shapewear here, here, here and here. For shapewear and it’s a great place to buy women’s undergarments.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Apartment Questions
Is it safe? Is it clean? Are the essentials located nearby? Those are the types of questions to ask before you pick a new place to rent. Here is a list of things to watch for when you are looking at apartments for rent or homes for rent.
Outside the Apartment
Do you feel safe in the neighborhood and the surrounding area? That's the first and most important question by far.
If you visit the apartment during the day, think about how you will feel coming home late at night, or early in the morning. If the thought makes you scared, move on. No amenities or cheap rent can compensate for the feeling of insecurity.
As part of this, ask your neighbors about safety and check in with the local police about crime statistics.
Is the building clean and well kept? Are entryways and hallways well lit? Are unsavory types hanging about? How the building is kept up is a pretty good indicator of the vigilance of the apartment manager.
Is the laundry nearby? If you don't have a car, it better be close, preferably in your building. Picture yourself trudging there every week or so and ask yourself how you feel about that.
Is the building close to major roads and public transportation? Do trial runs for how long it would take to reach your work, your daycare, or other frequently visited placed.
Find out where the following things are: gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, drug stores, and gyms - is the distance friendly or daunting? If you're on public transit, figure out how long it will take to get to these various places that you might visit often.
Inside the Apartment
Before signing a rental lease and moving in, make a quick check of the apartment, not only the appearance and cleanliness, but see that things actually work. Don't take anything for granted -- something that doesn't work now you'll have to deal with right away when you move, not a great way to spend your first few days in your new home.
Bathroom: Check the water pressure in the sink and shower, and flush the toilet to make sure it operates properly. Also, make sure the hot water works.
Appliances: Check the refrigerator, the heating and air conditioning, the stove and oven, and any other appliances that might be in the apartment.
Walls: If the building is near a road, can you hear the traffic? Can you hear the neighbors next door? If near an airport, how is that noise?
Windows: Make sure they open and close easily, and make sure there are no holes or cracks in the glass.
Electricity: Where there's a switch, try it out to make sure it worksFor apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Outside the Apartment
Do you feel safe in the neighborhood and the surrounding area? That's the first and most important question by far.
If you visit the apartment during the day, think about how you will feel coming home late at night, or early in the morning. If the thought makes you scared, move on. No amenities or cheap rent can compensate for the feeling of insecurity.
As part of this, ask your neighbors about safety and check in with the local police about crime statistics.
Is the building clean and well kept? Are entryways and hallways well lit? Are unsavory types hanging about? How the building is kept up is a pretty good indicator of the vigilance of the apartment manager.
Is the laundry nearby? If you don't have a car, it better be close, preferably in your building. Picture yourself trudging there every week or so and ask yourself how you feel about that.
Is the building close to major roads and public transportation? Do trial runs for how long it would take to reach your work, your daycare, or other frequently visited placed.
Find out where the following things are: gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, drug stores, and gyms - is the distance friendly or daunting? If you're on public transit, figure out how long it will take to get to these various places that you might visit often.
Inside the Apartment
Before signing a rental lease and moving in, make a quick check of the apartment, not only the appearance and cleanliness, but see that things actually work. Don't take anything for granted -- something that doesn't work now you'll have to deal with right away when you move, not a great way to spend your first few days in your new home.
Bathroom: Check the water pressure in the sink and shower, and flush the toilet to make sure it operates properly. Also, make sure the hot water works.
Appliances: Check the refrigerator, the heating and air conditioning, the stove and oven, and any other appliances that might be in the apartment.
Walls: If the building is near a road, can you hear the traffic? Can you hear the neighbors next door? If near an airport, how is that noise?
Windows: Make sure they open and close easily, and make sure there are no holes or cracks in the glass.
Electricity: Where there's a switch, try it out to make sure it worksFor apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Tips On Apartment Hunting
Timing is Crucial The housing market is competitive, especially for affordable apartments. Be prepared to make decisions quickly and be flexible by a week or two with your plans. Start your search no earlier than four weeks before your desired move-in date since tenants are not required to give landlords more than 30 days’ notice of their move-out dates. Make apartment hunting your life for two or three weeks - that should be enough time to get familiar with the market and find what you are looking for.
Focus Your Search According to Your Budget New York City is an expensive housing market and you will likely be forced to make compromises in your choice. Monthly rents will vary depending on several factors; the most important of which is location, followed by apartment size and then amenities.
Decide if You Are Willing to Share an Apartment – You can cut costs by sharing a large one bedroom. To find a roommate, check the listings for apartment shares in the OCHA Housing Registry. Consider Where You Can Afford to Live - Manhattan apartments are in the greatest demand and consequently rents are the highest here compared to other boroughs or nearby suburbs. In most areas of Manhattan, you will have great difficulty finding a studio apartment for less than $1,300-$1,400 per month. In contrast, there are areas just outside Manhattan (within a 30-40 minute commute) where you can find a decent studio apartment to rent for $850-$1,000 per month. Determine What Size Apartment Fits Your Budget and What Amenities You Can Do Without - Squeezing into a smaller apartment than your ideal and a willingness to accept some commonly perceived flaws such as street noise or lack of view or natural light may save you some money. In addition, rents will vary with the type of building in which the apartment is located such as whether or not the building has a doorman or an elevator.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Focus Your Search According to Your Budget New York City is an expensive housing market and you will likely be forced to make compromises in your choice. Monthly rents will vary depending on several factors; the most important of which is location, followed by apartment size and then amenities.
Decide if You Are Willing to Share an Apartment – You can cut costs by sharing a large one bedroom. To find a roommate, check the listings for apartment shares in the OCHA Housing Registry. Consider Where You Can Afford to Live - Manhattan apartments are in the greatest demand and consequently rents are the highest here compared to other boroughs or nearby suburbs. In most areas of Manhattan, you will have great difficulty finding a studio apartment for less than $1,300-$1,400 per month. In contrast, there are areas just outside Manhattan (within a 30-40 minute commute) where you can find a decent studio apartment to rent for $850-$1,000 per month. Determine What Size Apartment Fits Your Budget and What Amenities You Can Do Without - Squeezing into a smaller apartment than your ideal and a willingness to accept some commonly perceived flaws such as street noise or lack of view or natural light may save you some money. In addition, rents will vary with the type of building in which the apartment is located such as whether or not the building has a doorman or an elevator.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Disguising Ugly Furniture
We've all been there. You have a furniture-related need, but you simply can't afford to fill it, or you can't find the perfect piece you want. For me, that dilemma was over two nightstands. I searched, literally, for years, and still couldn't find a set I liked enough to purchase. So in the meantime, I used two perfectly sturdy, functional nightstands I'd had for years. There was just one problem: they were U-G-L-Y.
Since they were made of wood, I was able to solve my problem easily. I simply painted both nightstands the same color as the wall they were up against. Painting less-than-beautiful wood furniture the same color as the walls of your room makes they blend in with the room. (If they are located against, or very near, a wall, that is.) The pieces can serve their purpose quietly, rather than screaming "Look at me! I'm hideously ugly!" to everyone who sees them.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Since they were made of wood, I was able to solve my problem easily. I simply painted both nightstands the same color as the wall they were up against. Painting less-than-beautiful wood furniture the same color as the walls of your room makes they blend in with the room. (If they are located against, or very near, a wall, that is.) The pieces can serve their purpose quietly, rather than screaming "Look at me! I'm hideously ugly!" to everyone who sees them.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Monday, December 1, 2008
Phone Service for Your New Apartment
As of March 2008, thanks to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling, apartment buildings can no longer force exclusive telecommunications contracts on their tenants. The ruling (which was supported by the telephone industry and opposed by the real estate industry) gives even more options to someone looking for phone service in a new apartment. Here are some tips to help you figure out the best way to be able to talk on the telephone at your new place for minimum cost.
Local Phone ServiceThe first and most obvious option is to call a local utility company and contract for local phone service. Many major companies (including AT&T and Comcast) will offer "bundles" where you combine your phone service with cable or Internet access (or both) for a lower price than if you had contracted for them separately. If you already know you want cable television or Internet service in your new apartment, and if you have a local major provider, this will probably be the easiest option -- provided that you're willing to wait around the apartment one day for the service person to hook everything up.
If you do decide to go with conventional land-line service, don't immediately assume it makes sense to get long-distance service as well. Even if you don't have a cell phone (where long-distance calls are almost always free), you still may find cheaper long-distance service via independent companies such as OneSuite, Pingo, and Tel3. With these services, you establish a balance with a credit card, then dial a toll-free phone number and give a personal identification number (PIN) in order to make the call and deduct from your balance. These services might be especially useful if you know you'll be making a lot of calls overseas, since they frequently offer very competitive rates to foreign countries.
Mobile Phone ServiceYou may choose, instead, to use your cell phone as a home phone. For many people, the biggest concern about using the cell phone as the only phone is the ability for 911 operators to locate you if you call 911 from a cell phone. The 911 system was designed on the expectation that people in distress would call from land lines, and while the FCC is requiring an updating of 911 systems, it's harder for a 911 operator to tell emergency services where you are if you're calling from a cell phone.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Local Phone ServiceThe first and most obvious option is to call a local utility company and contract for local phone service. Many major companies (including AT&T and Comcast) will offer "bundles" where you combine your phone service with cable or Internet access (or both) for a lower price than if you had contracted for them separately. If you already know you want cable television or Internet service in your new apartment, and if you have a local major provider, this will probably be the easiest option -- provided that you're willing to wait around the apartment one day for the service person to hook everything up.
If you do decide to go with conventional land-line service, don't immediately assume it makes sense to get long-distance service as well. Even if you don't have a cell phone (where long-distance calls are almost always free), you still may find cheaper long-distance service via independent companies such as OneSuite, Pingo, and Tel3. With these services, you establish a balance with a credit card, then dial a toll-free phone number and give a personal identification number (PIN) in order to make the call and deduct from your balance. These services might be especially useful if you know you'll be making a lot of calls overseas, since they frequently offer very competitive rates to foreign countries.
Mobile Phone ServiceYou may choose, instead, to use your cell phone as a home phone. For many people, the biggest concern about using the cell phone as the only phone is the ability for 911 operators to locate you if you call 911 from a cell phone. The 911 system was designed on the expectation that people in distress would call from land lines, and while the FCC is requiring an updating of 911 systems, it's harder for a 911 operator to tell emergency services where you are if you're calling from a cell phone.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
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