This will save you money on furnishing your home

Before you start spending any money, do a fine-tooth combing of your monthly budget. Look for recurring expenses that you might be able to cut back on – like the streaming service that you forgot you subscribed to or the gym membership that you keep wanting to cancel. Make sure you get a great deal on your phone plan too: With Straight Talk Wireless, you can get an unlimited phone, text, and data plan (first 25GB at high speed, then at 2G) without a contract for just $ 45 per month. Twenty dollars here and there might not seem like much at first, but all of these little savings add up over time.

Now that you have hopefully less spending, focus on the must-buy items for your new space. Focus on the furniture and decorations that you absolutely need, rather than the things that you will eventually want to buy. Consider the essentials – like a couch, bed frame, and dining table – as well as things that are important to you. If your social media is your sideline, you might need a great full-length mirror for # OOTD photos; or maybe you can’t live without coffee and feel ready to invest in an espresso machine. The key is to only write down the things you really need and stick to your list – no matter how tempted you are.

Everything from large pieces of furniture to kitchen ware is often cheaper if you buy it used. Before you buy something brand new, see if you can find it at a local thrift or vintage store, or online on the Facebook marketplace. Depending on where you live, you may even be able to order used furniture online from websites like Kaiyo or AptDeco. It is also more environmentally friendly to give used items a second life than to buy new furniture!

You don’t have to completely furnish your home right away. In fact, waiting a month or two to take advantage of seasonal discounts or sales can save you money in the long run. Retailers offer big discounts on major shopping holidays like Memorial Day Weekend, July 4th, and Black Friday. Even a 10 or 15 percent discount on a large purchase like a new TV or dresser can save you a fair bit of loose change. Don’t forget to look out for discounts for first-time buyers too: many retailers give you an initial discount for signing up for their newsletter or rewards program.

Impulse buying can quickly derail your budget, but it’s all too easy to get carried away with decorating. That neon sign that you really needed a week or two ago may seem less than necessary by the time it finally comes in the mail. Avoid buyer’s remorse by practicing the 48 hour rule. Every time you add something to your cart, wait 48 hours before proceeding to checkout. If you really need it, buy it after 48 hours – but if it’s an impulse buy, the cooling off time will keep you from wasting money. Interior decoration is a marathon, not a sprint.