Money-saving tips for furnishing your first home

Your first home heralds new beginnings - and new living costs. You may be able to bring in some stuff from your previous home (maybe your parents don’t really need that lava lamp), but for the essentials you’re going to have to start from scratch. With a bit of common sense and planning, however, you’ll be able to get settled without having to mortgage the new place straight up.



Furniture: Second-hand is one option, but so are clearance sales and buying direct from the factory. You may also be able to pick up some decent finds at garage sales and during council clean-up periods when residents lay out their unwanted items for collection - but don’t completely rely on these for your furniture needs.



Phone: You may not actually need a fixed-line rental! Many households now rely on their mobile phones without having a landline, while VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows you to use your broadband connection for making calls and is fast becoming a popular option in Australia. Just remember that mobile phone bills can balloon rapidly, and that some services - especially emergency calls - are best served by a landline.



Whitegoods: Checking prices and bargaining with retailers may not sound glamorous, but with a bit of research and confidence you can cut a good deal on that brand new item you’ve been eyeing. Another option is home appliances rental, a flexible option which is especially great for testing if an item fits your needs. Home appliances rental is also easier to stomach financially - and it’s a lot less than renting your home.



Computer: Perhaps not an essential for some, but who goes without a computer these days? Computer finance is one option for minimising your PC costs, as are computer rentals. You might also want to consider what you’re using your computer for. A cheap desktop will allow you to check email, browse the net and even fulfil most basic multimedia needs, while netbooks provide mobility and connectivity at a fraction of the price of most laptops. You can also package up a total solution for one affordable monthly rental payment.



With various options from home appliances rental to internet telephony and the good old garage sale, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about filling up your new home.