ESSENTIALS

For your first real HOME where you’re paying all the bills, being THRIFTY by shopping second-hand is a good way to live COMFORTABLY within your means. A garage sale or thrift store is the PERFECT place to purchase essentials: table and chairs, coffee table, ‘pleather’ couch, headboard (don’t buy a used mattress set or used soft fabric couch, just DON’T!), Dishes and covered casseroles (great for cooking and storing leftover – less foil and plastic wrap). You’ll find a complete list of ESSENTIALS on any good home website. All you really NEED are the essentials. Everything else is a SHINY something which you should ask yourself before you purchase ‘What bad will happen if I DON’T buy this?’.

What will make all these old essentials look PERSONAL, is a nice coat of COLOR on the wall and trim – both painted the same color, the BOLDER the better! Live in your new place for 6 months so you know your living pattern and then Your cousin Sarai can help you with placement and wise purchases to decorate. Purchasing second-hand essentials, can help you save for a really nice new couch!

An artist's simple sketch of a small square table with a large vase on one corner, with a bouquet of 4 branches with round berries at the end of the branches. There is one lattice back chair pushed into up to the table.

When you have a comfortable and practical home, you’ll want to stay in it more. Just walking in the door will bring a sigh of relief. When family and friends see you’re interested in creating a nice home, they’ll more likely steer you to BARGAINS and finds, give aways and FREE decorative goodies. With just the essentials, you’ll be able to invite friends over for a potluck. With just the essentials, you’ll be able to say ‘Oost, West, T’huis Best’!

Luck Favors the Prepared

LOVE, MAMA & PAPA