Too Much Money

Posted by Kristin Abraham May 8, 2006

Well, I'm moved in but there is so much I realize that I don't have. Little things like a cutting board and dish towels and then bigger things like an entertainment center or a bed. It's ridiculous. I just can't believe how these bills are piling up. And it's no where near the end. I've got a lot more to buy and not a lot of money left.

I'm rediscovering the inexpensive way to do things again and it's a lot of fun. I do have to admit that part of me is just anxious to have everything done and right. I'm so sick of all the boxes. But then there is the other side. I want to do things in an inexpensive way and I want to have fun doing this. I know I enjoy finding just the right little thing at an estate sale or an antique shop or some out of the way boutique. It makes me feel as if I've won. It's just such a satisfying feeling.

So I'm hitting the estate sales (usually a great find or two), the garage sales (often not worth it), St. Vinnies and Goodwill. I have the luxury of time. I can arrange my schedule to fit my whims but I do not have the budget to buy everything I want. So these places are great for finding things I need for my home. And often I can see something in an item that isn't quite there. There is the lamp that can be rewired, repainted and dressed up with a shade for less than a new lamp. There are coffee tables for just a fraction of furniture store prices that simply need some refinishing. And all of these items appeal to me because not only are they cheap, but they are unique and usually quality pieces hiding under years of neglect.

There is one thing I just couldn't bring myself to buy secondhand. My bed. But I did get a fantastic deal on a queen sized pillow top. I found the local bedding store that was having a great sale on new items and then I hit their floor models. I'll admit when I entered the store I was going to pick up one of the "bait" mattresses but they didn't feel very comfortable. Then the "switch" came along and the salesman almost had me convinced that the expense would be worth it. And then my shopping companion stepped in (good old mom) and we moved to the discount room and found a great year old model for less than $400. Mattress and box spring. Of course he tried to switch me back to the expensive one and when that wasn't going to work tried to sell me a bunch of extras at outrageous prices, but I held firm with mom at my back.

I'm sure I'm going to make some financial mistakes as I redecorate but hopefully they wont be terribly costly ones.