While many people are cutting back their living expenses at the moment, bargain-hunting has become an applied skill and the good news is, businesses are responding. If your new home or rented apartment has set you back more than you thought, there are now more ways to save on furniture than ever: online freebies, second-hand stores and clearances sales are just a few you could try.
Many people
head straight for the internet for all their shopping needs and with
good reason. The ad pages of your local newspaper used to be the
one-stop shop for cheap goods but new listings appear every minute on
online ad sites and with web communities like Freecycle, you can kit out
your pad for nothing and help save the environment in one go. Even
items that seem a bit scruffy can be easily upcycled with a throw or a
coat of paint.
Auction sites are another good bet for all pieces of furniture,
from sofa beds to vintage carriage clocks but don't rule out the
traditional auction house either. The good thing about this option is
that no prices are fixed. Similarly, second-hand shops allow leeway for a
little bartering, especially if you approach the assistant with a
smile.
Specialist charity
furniture shops are popping up everywhere now and as your good deed for
the day, you can come away with some quality used items for very little
cash. If you do fancy something new, look out for discount outlets and
clearance stores which are replacing other high street retailers. By
offering factory prices, such companies are doing a roaring trade in
these recession-struck times.
Bargain-hunting,
as with any purchase, is all about shopping around and leaving no
avenue unexplored. Not all sales represent a good bargain, so compare
prices and see what you can find by way of used furniture if the cheap
stuff seems unlikely to last. Popping along to the local auction or car
boot sale at the weekend can be fun in itself and you never know what
treasures you might find.
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