Monday, March 20, 2006

A good home must be made, not bought.

- Joyce Maynard

I've been thinking a lot lately about where I'm going to live in a few months. As much as I love my family, I can't stay here forever. Nor, to be honest, would I want to. I've tasted the sweet flavor of independence and the craving is becoming irresistable.

With the new job, I should be able to buy a house much sooner than my 30th birthday, which is both an exciting and petrifying thought. Me, owning property? Having a mortgage? Are you serious? No way, man.

But first, I'll need to find an apartment. It's fun to think of living on my own, but at the same time, I'm kinda freaking out about all of the things I'll have to buy to have my own place. I've got the things to stock a kitchen fairly decently, even though it's college-grade stuff and not the grown-up quality that I yearn for. But as long as I can physically make a mean for myself and have actually plates to eat off of, I'll be alright for now.

However, I can't very well move into an apartment without any furniture. Literally, the only "furniture" in my possession is a bookcase and a metal shelf. I don't have a bed to sleep on or a couch to sit on to watch tv. Oh wait, I don't have a tv either! Problem solved!

I guess what I'm getting at with this entry is that it's going to take a lot of work for me to be able to live on my own - with some true sacrifices made along the way, I suspect. I'm going to be making a list of absolute necessities that I will need before moving out, in hopes of collecting them as I see good deals.

What are some things that I'll probably forget that I need? Do you know of anyone who has some furnishings they no longer need? I'm not really in a position to be picky, but pieces that are still decent quality/condition are appreciated. At this point, the pattern doesn't matter. Or if you know of stores that carry good merchandise at great prices, please share that information!

4 comments:

Jessica said...

My mom is excellent at finding good cheap furniture at garage sales and Goodwill and other hotspots. You can get some amazing stuff for very little money if you're careful.

Anonymous said...

Jen -

I personally prefer to drop hints to family members such as "thinking of getting new furniture anytime soon". . . or just be rude and suggest they get a new couch. When new couch is in, drop by for the kill on the old one ;-)

Anonymous said...

The best is just to piece as you go....you might try some second hand places....I know around here we have quite a few of them, but this is also a large college town. You could also assembly a wish-list to be handed out for all birthday/holiday shopping needs :) ~Pamela

Bridget said...

Definitely ask friends, family, slight acquaintances...it's amazing how much stuff people accumulate and want to get rid of. I had a lot of success posting signs at schools I've worked at...know anyone working at a school? Also ask other people to ask around for you.

Otherwise: craig's list perhaps? Here there's this yahoo! group called "freecycle" and people are always trying to get rid of stuff; maybe there's one like that in T-town. Also, I second Pamela's wish list idea.