How do I get furniture for my new apartment?
By drknlvly6781
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
United States
May 11, 2009 9:02am CST
Those of you that have been following my recent discussions know I am about to move out of my grandmother's house and into my own apartment next month. But the problem is I have absolutely no furniture, and no way to get any on my fixed income. I do have a bed for myself, and a bed for my son. My daughter's bed will not make the trip because it is flimsy and half broken. I have no couches, no tv, nowhere for us to eat, just nothing.
I have been working with freecycle.org in my area, an organization where people list things they no longer need, and others can pick up those things instead of a person throwing them away. So far, I have a lead on a reclining chair, and a table, but nothing else. And if they cannot bring it to me, seeing as how I don't drive, nor do I know anyone with a truck, I won't get those either.
I've also been calling a few of the local agencies in my area, but with no good news. With the recession going on, there is a shortage of furniture to be given. From what it looks like, when I get money next month, I will have to spend it on necessary furniture, and starve.
Hopefully someone has an idea to save us from that fate. I live in the west side of Cincinnati if that helps; does anyone know of any agencies or anything that I can do to get the furniture that I need?
3 people like this
10 responses
@geniustiger (1694)
• Philippines
12 May 09
just make it a simple one.
take it easy u can have a plastic furniture as a replacement for that
if it is not yet available. the importance is you have a things to be used daily
and u feel to be comfortable.
just save for what you wish to have in your apartment
then if if is already display in stores then buy it.
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
12 May 09
Well, I don't know where I would get plastic furniture. I don't know of any places around me that sell them. And this is not about the furniture I want, these are necessary items I am talking about, such as a bed for my daughter, a couch to sit on, and a television to watch. I don't plan to get any real nice furniture, because I don't plan to stay in this apartment. I will be getting on Section 8 as soon as I can to get a house. I will be saving though to get the furniture that I want in that house, but for now I just need the bare necessities.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
12 May 09
drknlvly I admire you for trying to get out on your own. I suggest that you take your daughters mattress from her bed that is falling apart and let her sleep on that on the floor. I had my first bed as a mattress on box springs on the floor and I was 6 months pregnant. For tables use large cardboard boxes. I am using one now as a night stand. These sites can give you some ideas and you might check your local library.
http://www.jimsgraphix.com/recycle/table_1.htm
http://www.crookedbrains.net/2009/01/furniture.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/davidgraas_furn.php
2 people like this
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
12 May 09
Necessary furniture and starve???? Sounds like you have your priorities wrong. EAT FIRST! When I moved into my first appartment, all I had was a 12 inch tv and a rollaway bed. A friend came over and thought I already moved out. I got some old wooden cable tv wire spools, sanded and finished myself. Cable man was happy to get rid of them. Small can of finish and I had wood furniture. People are always throwing furniture away. Walk in the evenings. Look for people moving. People will give you stuff just to get rid of it. They leave lots for the garbage man as well on the street. A little fixing does wonders. In the mean time, relax, huddle and sleep on the floor. If you absolutely need help it will show up from somewhere so keep your eyes open. Let's leave eating number one. Save money on that by eating dried beans and rice. the dried food comes out the healthiest and the cheapest.
1 person likes this
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
11 May 09
If you are part of a church, ask at your church. Often there are members who have something that they arent using and are willing to give it someone they know.
Try Craig's List. Many people will list free things there as well.
Look for nontraditional things that you can use as furniture. We have used an old footlocker as our coffee table for quite a while now. They are much cheaper than a normal table and they offer storage! Someone might even have one they dont use that they would be willing to give to you.
Good luck on your search!
1 person likes this
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
11 May 09
Because you arent able to pick up items for yourself, ask the members of the church if they would be able to help you with that. Some of them may not have any physical things to give you, but they may be able to give you their time in order to help deliver the items. I have always had to ask for help for big items because I have no way to transport them either.
I admire your persistence and your humble attitude in this. So many people would try to take the easy way out and depend on others for everything. Taking responsibility and control is a great thing, especially when it is a hard choice to make.
1 person likes this
@tabsnlos (587)
• United States
12 May 09
I'm not sure if someone has already recommended this yet, but you can try craigslist.com for either free used furniture, or really really cheap furniture. There is a free section there, and if you keep checking throughout the day, you may find something really nice in your local area for free, but you have to be really quick about it. The good ones go super quick.
I did see that you don't drive, so maybe you can ask someone to take you to pick stuff up? They also give away free food on their, which is great!
Best wishes to you and your kids =)
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
12 May 09
Well, asking someone to drive me is only good if its something that can fit in a midsized car. I don't know anyone with a truck, and that is a big obstacle that is in my way. I have been looking on freecycle and craigslist for free stuff, but I've had to let go of the main things I'm looking for simply because I don't know anyone with a truck. But it will come together, even if I have to rent a UHaul and go around right before I move in.
Thanks for the well wishes.
@shubhosarker (99)
• Bangladesh
11 May 09
Sorry to say, I am not from your country.I can feel your problem.If you dont have enough money to spend for your furniture I have some plan to give you.
I am from Bangladesh.It is a developing country.Many of our people dont have any place to sleep at night.Many of our county men dont have enough money to buy food.So you can guess that they couldnt think about buying furniture.
Now come to the point untill you manage enough money to spend, forget bed and dining table. Go for flooring. Flooring is very favorite Idea among students in our country(who live in Hostel).Trust me It will be a fun.one matress only you need.Forget dining table.Again get depend on floor.Sit tight at floor(If you feel problem take something soft).
You will feel some problem in the absence of table.For table try for sell.See news paper daily you will find some sell news.
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
11 May 09
That is also a great idea. I will start looking in the classifieds online today to see what I can come up with. But I don't like the idea of either me or my daughter sleeping on the floor. I have bad back problems so I can't do it, but at the same time I won't see my daughter on the floor either. It may have been an option if the floor was carpeted, or I had more blankets, but the floor is tile and don't have any. But you have given me some ideas and hope. Thank you for your response.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
13 May 09
I'd check yard sales and garage sales - you can always "rent" a uhaul for the day to move things if u do get them from freecycle (i did it once when my dad wasnt home from the rigs and i didnt find it too freakishly expensive)
Some people with a yard sale/garage sale are willing to deliver the items sometimes for free sometimes for a small additional cost.
1 person likes this
@kookiman (25)
• United States
11 May 09
Starting from scratch is challenging to say the least, but one thing for sure is that it makes you appreciate what you have when you do get it...hang in there and keep asking around. Try contacting some local furniture stores who may have some scratch and dent furniture that they'll part with. Many dealers have furniture that they've picked up from customers who are buying new furniture, and they'll just give it away. Also if you haven't already, find out where the food banks are in your area. Many churches have food available for free, so maybe you can get enough to get by on after spending your money on inexpensive furniture. Best of luck to you...
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
12 May 09
That is a great idea! I will start contacting the furniture stores in my area today, to see if they have any furniture that they are willing to part with.
I've been calling the local social services, many just don't help with furniture, a few I am waiting on a call back from because I am one of many with this need. I also plan on calling my kids' father's uncle. He is the pastor of a church, so I believe that he will be able to help me with a little something.
@nzldzh (75)
• China
11 May 09
I think you can go to the market to see what kind of furniture it has ,and you can also ask them how much it may cost .Then you can get online to see the furniture you have see in the market and the price of them ,so you can decide whether to but it .As you know it is often cheaper online .
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
12 May 09
We don't have an open market where you can buy furniture in this city, but we do have several thrift and second hand stores that I can avail myself of. Unfortunately, since I need so much I am hoping that I can get some items donated because even buying them second hand would cause me to be broke for an entire month afterwards. But I do appreciate your response.
