by admiller

Created on: May 08, 2009

Saving money by buying gently used furniture is relatively easy, but it is also possible to buy new furniture at low prices. Take advantage of today's economy and practice smart shopping to get deals on new furniture. Saving money requires patience and strategic shopping. Often people give in to impulse buying and end up with furniture they don't like at designer prices. Using the tips outlined below, you can take your time, get the furniture you want, and save money.

Step 1: PRINT & POST.

What are your favorite stores? Go to their websites and find furniture pieces that you love. Print a one-page product description for each piece of furniture you select. Include price, store location, and dimensions on the printout. Identify the perfect spot in your house for the furniture item and tape up the picture. This shopping tactic saves you money by helping you avoid impulse buying. Get comfortable with how the item looks in the house. You may decide the furniture piece is not what you want. If you don't get a thrill when looking at the picture, take it down and find a different piece. It will quickly become clear to you how to separate the must-haves from the not-so-sures.

Step 2: SHOP ONLINE.

Never buy a piece of furniture without searching for it online. Search the internet for the exact furniture item you want (using your product description printout) and compare prices. You will often find that it is actually cheaper to buy directly from the retailer's website and have the item shipped to your doorstep. Home Depot, in particular, offers many products cheaper through their website than in their actual stores. Take advantage of coupon codes. Before actually clicking the "buy" button at a website, conduct an internet search that includes the store name and the words coupon code. Coupon codes are entered in the checkout process, but you need to search for them to know they exist.

Step 3: SHOP IKEA.

Once you have been to the store, the motto Check Ikea first will quickly become part of your eveyrday language. For any furniture piece you are considering, browse Ikea's selection and price compare. Often you will find exactly what you want at half the price. You can't beat their curtain selection. Ikea discounts can also be found at their store in their as-is section. Here you can get already assembled furniture that people have returned for bargain prices. Sign up for Ikea's newsletter to keep up to date with their seize the day promotionslimited time offers at extraordinary prices.

Step 4: WATCH FOR SALES.

Now that you have avoided impulse buying and thoughtfully considered each piece of furniture, you have time on your side and can wait patiently for sales. Sign up for your favorite retailer's newsletters. If one of your furniture printouts has an item from Target, sign up to receive Target's promotional offers. With pictures posted all around the house, you will know what deals to snatch up. It takes only seconds to quickly glance through the retailer's email and find promotions involving your desired piece of furniture.

Smart shopping is made much easier today with the Interent. Use it to research particular products and get design ideas. Once you know for sure that you want a particular furniture piece, look for coupon codes or wait for sales at the store selling it. Finally, try negotiating a price at the store. The worst that can happen is that they say no, but you might just talk your way into a huge bargain.

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