Feathering the nest

How to furnish your home for less

It’s spring home buying season. If you bought a new place, you might want some new furniture too. Here are a few tips on furnishing your home without stripping your wallet.

1 Stick to cash Cash is the “absolute best way” to buy, says Justin Nichols, certified financial planner at Garrett Planning Network. So earmark some of your savings for furniture. Or if you can’t do that, live with some open space while you save.

If you can get a credit card with a no-interest promotional period, and you know you can pay off your purchases in that time, that’s the next best option, Nichols says. The worst choice? Renting-to-own furniture. The Federal Trade Commission warns that rent-to-own can cost double or triple what you would pay for the item with cash, on layaway, or on an installment plan.

2 Prioritize purchases Identify and buy whatever essentials are missing from your new home first. That might be a kitchen table if you never had one in your small apartment, for example, or a crib if you’re expecting a baby. Next, shop for a few big, functional pieces and fill in from there.

3 Don’t pay full price You can save by negotiating furniture prices, particularly on “big-ticket items” like sofas and tables, said Dan DiClerico of HomeAdvisor, a digital marketplace for home services. At independent retailers, he suggests mentioning your interest in supporting local businesses when you haggle. At big-box stores, you’ll have better luck requesting discounts on floor models with wear and tear, he says. Take advantage of price-matching, coupons and seasonal sales in January, July and holiday weekends, too. While paying little for furniture may be financially responsible, interior designer Betsy Helmuth warns against filling your new home with stuff you don’t love just because it’s cheap or free.

“You start creating a space you’re not crazy about,” she said. And getting rid of furniture once you own it can be tough. Whatever you buy, she says, “keep in mind it’s going to stay longer than you think.”

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Want to suggest a personal finance topic that Quick Fix can address? Email apmoney@ap.org.