How to Furniture Shop on a Budget

It can be a great time to hunt for deals right now on furniture. I’ve been noticing quite a few sales popping up around town in furniture stores and as it’s been getting warmer I’ve seen more garage sales.

I wanted to include some tips about shopping for furniture.

Plan Ahead and Decide on Your Budget

Look at your budget and see how much you are willing and able to spendon furniture. You want to afford good quality, but you don’t want to take on debt.

Examine what you already have in your home and have an idea of what you need to change. Make a list of what you want and keep it with as you go around shopping.

Have Friends and Family Look Out For You

If you are looking for a specific item, let your friends and family know. They maybe able to inform and update you on yard sales or stores you may have notice.

Shopping for Furniture at a Garage Sale

The weather is getting nicer and with spring comes more and more garage sales. Try and remember these tips when you’re hunting for some furniture.

• Go early and hunt. See if you can find some hidden gems before someone else finds them.
• If you buy some items at a garage sale, see if you can get a ‘bundle’ discount. It doesn’t hurt to ask and you may be surprised to get an item dirt cheap in a deal.
• Double check the furniture’s condition. You want to make sure it’s solid and will last for some time.
• Bring cash. Don’t waste sellers time by asking them to hold an item until you come back and pay.

Shopping for Furniture at a Store

• Think in terms of overall cost. Don’t let the sales person talk you into furniture that is over your budget because you can afford the monthly payments.
• If you don’t see the item you’re looking for, ask to check if there are more options. Sometimes a model may have two finishes.
• Ask for a discount with the sales person. Take advantage of this economy and see if you can lower the price. Maybe you can get a floor model discount.
• Double check the furniture’s condition. If there are any minor imperfections, you may be able to come away with a deal on it.

As you know being  polite and friendly isn’t just good for negotiations ; it should be your default mode when working with people.

What tips do you have when you’re bargaining hunting for furniture? Do you have any success stories?

• Weekly Round-Up: Budget Review We finished our review of our budget to see how to create our 2009 financial goals: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good news is we're spending less than what we earn. We're not sliding into more debt and stressing out over bills. The bad news is that......
• Rich College Student: Saving on Your Grocery Bill     After last week's post, I decided to look into ways that my husband and I save money on our grocery bills. Sit down and make a shopping list. This seems really elementary, but it is the most important step. Can't figure how to make a good food......

• Golf Tips For Beginners – Picking the Right Course If you are just starting out as a beginner in golf, there are a few things that you need to know ahead of time. The course that you select as your place to learn can have a big impact on how you end up playing and if you’re not using......
• Holiday Shopping Techniques To Avoid Breaking the Bank It is looking like the upcoming holiday season will be gloomy for many families, given the current state of the economy and continued bad news on many financial fronts. While this may not be a time to go all out with gifts, there are holiday shopping techniques that you can......