WWYD Furniture

[DoctorHildegardLanstrom]

We moved into a flat last year, any spare money has gone to paying off debts, we are now in a position where we can start buying furniture, we moved in with the bare minimum and its been fine, I have done a massive list of all the things I would like to have, but I have used pricing from Wayfare.

The thing is both DP and myself are shit at saving money, We get money in, bills get paid straight away and then we just seem to fritter away the rest, mainly on DS. We are both trying to get better, but there always seems to be something. I was thinking that the money we save towards furniture I could shove on a wayfare gift card, but the issue with that is I could find something I love, which is much cheaper second hand.

I am wondering if there is another way, I am worried if it just sits in a savings account at the moment it will burn a hole in our pocket, but this could be a good (but steep learning curve for us)

Any ideas would be welcome.

You need to address the frittering.

www.moneysavingexpert.com is a helpful website.

You need to plan sensibly. Making a spreadsheet of your finances will help you see what is necessary and what isn’t.

Try this -

www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Budget-planning/

Personally I would scour charity shops & warehouses for second hand furniture. You will get way more for your money.

If you join the Frenchic fan forum you can transform old furniture by using the inexpensive paint.

Example here if someone painting their kitchen -

@Scoola

We are really working on it, we have got a budget and we have stuck to it, however I do surveys and competitions on the side, so we often have extra money coming in and its that, that is being frittered away, because its not accounted for as its just extra.

@PestoCaffeinisto see that is my thinking, I could buy a lovely brand new wardrobe or I could get a 2nd hand wardrobe and a bookcase.

Don’t need buy new furniture there is plenty good
Quality second hand furniture out there- some might need up cycling some you can use as it is. Honestly I moved house two
Years ago and none of my furniture is new!

If you insist on buying then look around for bargains.

@Soola - the people who live with that kitchen changed their tiles, splash back, microwave and washing machine...at least... I can't imagine that paint did a huge amount in that kitchen.

As well as PP said buying second hand things will make your money go much further.
To save up I opened a second bank account that part of my wages went straight into I could only access by going into the branch this stopped me buying things because I fancied / thought I needed it.

Wayfair is expensive.

Agree wayfair is extortionate. Look for somewhere more local or a recycling furniture centre.

Really really really don't do a gift card. If Wayfair go bust or (say) change their Ts&Cs to say that cards expire in 6months you could loose all your money.

Plus it means you miss out on bargains elsewhere.

I'd open up a savings account with a 2 or 3 month notice period, and do a standing order into it along with your other bills. That way you can't fritter it way until you have a decent chunk in there.

I agree Wayfair is expensive, I went for it originally because I knew it was expensive, so if I saved £100 for a wardrobe (I really need a wardrobe) but then got one in a charity shop/facebook/gumtree for £50 then it would be £50 for a bookcase or whatever is next on my list.

I do like the idea @SamBeckett I will look into that tomorrow, that would more than likely stop us as we would have to stop and think is it really worth the 20 minute walk into town. Thank you for that.

@Peony99 I must admit going bust hadn't entered my head and that would be a massive worry, so I think you are right in me knocking that idea on the head

so I think you are right in me knocking that idea on the head

Sorry that should say you are right, no think about it

Have you tried your local Freecycle or else gumtree? I use them not just for budget purposes it even more because so environmental- and you will often find good furniture if keep an eye out as people move areas as I also use it for rehoming things we no longer use .

Sorry that was so inarticulate as I am tired!

Have you tried your local Freecycle or else gumtree? I use them not just for budget purposes it even more because so environmental- and you will often find good furniture if keep an eye out as people move areas as I also use it for rehoming things we no longer use .

I am starting to keep an eye now, we can start affording things, our main problem with things like freecycle, gumtree, facebook etc is picking up, we don't have a car, so big things are a man in a van type job or see if the person can deliver for a bit extra, but there was no point trying to sort those type of things out, till we had a bit of money to offer. If they live locally, we might be able to carry home (we have done this before when its a few streets away, but it does take a while)

My other option is a few neighbours have vans, but we are still getting to know people and I feel its a bit off to turn around and go oh you are derek with the van, don't suppose you could do me a favour. But its an option for the future.

Charity shops round here do deliver for a bit extra however, so I will probably go for them, but am keeping all my options open.

Almost all of our furniture is second hand. You get more and better quality for your Money and there is less extra burden on the environment.

Have a look at Credit Unions ( Google Credit Union and your town/county to find your nearest). On pay day I have a standing order to my CU account and it’s ticks up nicely in there.

This is a local one near me

www.bristolcreditunion.org/savings

@ElGuardiandenoche

We don't have one near us, we have looked into that before, we are just outside the area for it, but it might be worth phoning and asking.

P.S anyone who has now clicked on this link and is getting adverts for wayfare I am sorry.

That’s a shame @DoctorHildegardLanstrom they are brilliant and we are getting a nice little emergency fund building.

@DoctorHildegardLanstrom
It really worked for me but you have to make it very clear to the bank when you are setting the account up that you do not want a cashline / debit/ credit card with the account as that defeats the object.

PP mentioned a account that you you can not access for a certain period , I had a account like this for a while and whist they are a great idea if you are saving up for a specific date like a holiday or wedding it does mean that you will not be able to access your money quickly if you see a bargain or sale on.

@SamBeckett looked at a few today and their are some. One in particular which is in the next town over (a good hour walk) so I am thinking that one.

@ElGuardiandenoche

I have had another look at credit unions and it looks like they have either expanded or we read it wrong last time. I couldn't get through today, but I am going to try again tomorrow.

Hope you manage to get things sorted. Having an emergency fund can really help with managing your day to day life and is useful to have for those times when the fridge breaks down or the car fails it’s MOT. Also if you get a loan then when you agree repayment some money still goes into savings and they do a proper affordability SOA.

@DoctorHildegardLanstrom Good luck , I think mastering your home finances lifts a huge weight of your shoulders. £$£$£$£$£$£$