My daughter is moving into her first off-campus apartment and is SO excited. She's on a college student's budget, and needs to furnish the place as cheaply as she can. It's completely unfurnished except for fridge, microwave, washer and dryer. We've talked about thrift shops and garage sales, estate sales and craigs list. Are there other places we should consider going to for really cheap stuff? She got an awesome deal on the apartment, I just wish she could've found a furnished one.

Thanks for any ideas!

Mariah

We have Thrifty Nickel ads around here. I would also post on Freecycle. I hate Freecycle but I know a few people who love and one who got free furniture for her college kid. Good luck

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What about calling furniture rental stores and asking them what they do with their returned pieces. If you live near a large city there may also be a place that sells the furniture hotels get rid of when they remodel. Most large furniture stores have "back rooms" where they sell floor models or other scratched and dented items.

Sounds like fun, good luck in your search.

I second Craigslist. You can find great deals locally.

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Freecycle is a good local option too.

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- Stephen Colbert.

Have an Ikea close by?

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My dd is in the same position for next year. I told her to talk to seniors moving out of their apartments or houses and who will not be taking their furniture with them. The only thing I will buy her new is a mattress.

I would be sure to let any relatives and friends know that she will be shopping for used furniture. You will be surprised what people will give if they know someone can use it.

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Thanks for the suggestions! I'd never heard of freecycle before, so I found and forwarded that link to her. She's put up a notice on the bulletin board looking for stuff from people leaving. Unfortunately, we live so far away from any relatives that anything they'd give would need to be shipped, but that's still an idea for smaller stuff. She's going to Ikea this weekend. Thanks, you guys!

Local auction houses are definately a good option. Check out auctionzip.com to find listings in your area. We've got a bunch of them near me - and in fact I'm going to one of them tonight (as I do almost every Friday night).

You do have to have self control - tell yourself yes I LIKE this sofa, but its going for more then I want to pay so I'll just come back next week and find a different one. I've bought a bunch of stuff for the house we're moving into next year after my parents get done renovating it. So far a few of the items I've picked up at auction for the house are...

hardwood flooring for $1.50 a sqft
a 3inch thick solid maple butcher's block counter top - $100 (sells for $500-$800)
a cherry coffee table - $35
a 5 foot long, stainless steel Kohler sink - the kind with the big sink, prep sink and built in drainboard - retails for over $4000 - I paid $400 (or rather my Dad did - birthday gift)
a fold-up vintage 1960's black vinyl bar with padded arm rests, chair rail and 3 stools - $70
curio cabinets - $30 - $120 depending on size
stained glass lamps - $4 - $40 depending on size ($40 fits over a pool table)

and my personal favourite - 2001 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruiser - $2200 (ok, dad bought that too but......)

The local houses sell antiques, art, decor - everything from 1800's mahogany furniture to danish modern to stuff somebody bought at Raymore & Flanigan 2 years ago etc... they even have brand new stuff from model homes when the developments are sold out. So check out your local houses and take a peek. One caveat - I would NOT buy matresses unless they were from a closed store or model home and were still new in plastic. Also if you buy things that are made of fabric (sofas etc) - make sure you flip all the cushions over and inspect them, look for any damage and SMELL them. Most are just fine - but you'll get the occaisional one that was stored in a wet basement or garage etc or was owned by a smoker (if that bothers you). In that case - Febreeze can work if its not too bad and isn't moldy etc.

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Thanks, Skye! I'd never heard of that! She's in Charlotte (NC), so I'm checking to see if there's one nearby.

Skye - great site, thanks!

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