How to Buy Furniture on a Low Budget

Purchasing furniture brand new can be expensive, especially if you are on a limited budget. While buying furniture can sometimes break your wallet, there are other ways to get it for your home. You can find furniture that can fit your budget by browsing area garage sales, used furniture shops or contacting charity organizations. Read more about how you can contact these places to get the furniture you need.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Free membership at Freecycle

Instructions

1. 

   Browse area garage sales. Read local newspapers to find out when some of the next garage sales in your area are. Garage sales are often given in the spring and summer months.
   People are always selling used furniture. Just be sure to check it over carefully and look for any scratches, rips or tears. Ask the previous owner if it needs repairs.

2. Shop in thrift stores. Thrift stores sometimes carry furniture accessories, such as lamps, tables and desks. Every now and then you can also purchase chairs or even a couch. Keep in contact with the thrift shop to see whether they can call you and let you know when furniture comes in. Furniture at thrift shops can be purchased at very low prices, marked way below the sticker price.

3. Check with local charity organizations. Often housing charities or places such as the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities, and even churches, will have furniture available for those in need. If you need furniture for a home and are out of work or have low income, these organizations can often help you. You can usually receive furniture for free or at a very low price.

4. 

   Shop in used furniture shops. Used furniture shops often monitor the types of furniture they bring in and carefully inspect it before putting it up for sale. Prices of furniture at used shops often are marked down almost half of what they were when they were new. Sometimes the blankets or comforters come along with bedding furniture as well.

5. Sign up for Freecycle on the Internet. (See Resources) Freecycle is available throughout the United States. It is a free organization on the web, involving a message board where individuals list items that they have to give away for free. You can also post your needs on the message boards. This will allow others to contact you if they believe they have the item you are looking for.

Tips & Warnings

• Inspect used furniture very carefully if you have purchased it from a garage sale or thrift shop. Check under all cushions and mattresses, and look for scratches or scrapes on wooden furniture. Always ask the previous owner whether they had pets, or if there are any repairs that need to be done.

Resources

• Freecycle.org
• Tips for buying used furniture