Keepin up with the Jones's furniture...

[rachelMcK]

The other night we went to a friends place. They went on and on about all the new furniture they got, how much it cost etc. Being a bit of a design freak, I was incredibly jealous. I suddenly wanted new furniture. Sometimes I feel like I live in a dorm because all my stuff was second hand. They even said something along the lines of that as well. Ugh.

So I'm going to write a list of my furniture and how much I paid for it. I want to see yours too. Maybe I won't feel so bad. Also, do any of you get alittle jealous of the jones's?

Living Room
Computer desk - free from uncle
Bookshelves - $60 for 2 from walmart
Chair - free from garbage room
Couch - free from garbage room
Coffee and end table - free from BIL
Lamp - $11 from walmart
Entertainment center - free from in laws
computer chairs - $200 from walmart (paid with gift card)

Ktichen
Aquarium stand - free from in laws
desk - free from side of road
stool - free from side of road
microwave - free from mom
fridge and stove - came with place

Bedroom
dressers, bed frame, nightstands - free from in laws
queen mattress and box spring - gift from in laws

Wow, I didn't think it was that much! I guess I should be more appreciative that I didn't have to pay for all that stuff!

[The Muse]

Oddly enough, we are the Joneses. One of our neighbors constantly tries to copy us to the point that their rooms are painted the same color as ours. It's kinda creepy, but DH says I should be happy that my style is worth imitating.

My furnishings are a mix of clearance items, things I bought at auction, with a few splurges here and there. I've got a house full of furnishings, so I can't really post a list, but a few highlights are:

An Art Deco Bed - free because the footboard was cracked, DH patched it.

Bedroom Set - $70 at auction

An Art Deco Style Foyer Table - $65 on clearance

An Antique Bureau - free from inlaws' storage unit.

Hitchcock Chair - free from inlaws' storage unit.

Velvet Art Deco Slipper Chairs - 2/$65 at auction

The key to being the Joneses on the cheap is picking a style a sticking with it. I keep a folder of photos from decorating magazines and I hunt for cheap things that will give me the look I'm after (elegant modern classic). It's taken me going on 7 years to get this place furnished and I'm still not done, but the hunt is part of the fun. Anyone can go buy a house full of furniture, but I think that's cheating

[baronmom]

I was just saying to my husband that I want to get new furniture soon. The dog has destroyed our one couch. She has peed on it, threw up on it, and ripped it. I want something like leather so that it can be wiped off. The sad thing is that it is only about 5 years old. It is the most comfortable couch to sleep on too! Other than that couch, I am happy with the rest of my furniture.
I am so jealous that you have gotten so much for free! For some reason, we just don't have the connections like that. We get a few things here and there, but I don't turn down much just in case someone has a bunch of furniture or something and they will think of us! Here is what we have that was given to us.

family room-tv stand from dh's work free, chair-auction for $30, coffee table-given to us by my mom, book case-bought by my dad, file cabinet-free from dh work, couch and chair bought new, end table-free from mom, lamp-$5 from goodwill, other lamp-free from mom, computer desk-bought new.

Living room:
couch-bought new, end tables-free from mom, coffee table-made in school by son but paid for the wood, hutch with cabinet on top-free from family friend, cedar chest-given to us by MIL, Clock on wall-given to us by MIL

Kitchen:
Dining room table and chairs-gift from IL's
hutch-free from family friend
Longaberger basket wrought Iron stand-gift from mom

bedroom
Our bedroom has all new bought furniture except a wardrobe cabinet given to us by my grandmother.
cedar chest-free from grandma
chair-gift from mom
chair-free from grandma

Kids rooms have all new beds
tv wardrobe stand-free from friends
desk-free from grandma
night stand-free from mom
tv stand in other room-free from grandma
tv stand in the 3rd room-free from friends
old school desk-free from aunt
dressers-free from SIL and free from my dad
Other dresser is new with furniture.

wow, I never realized how much stuff we still have that was given to us.

[chewawalove]

I hope my list will make you feel much better.

Couch & 2 upholstered chairs--$ 65 -thrift store
Den couch & love seat--$234-thrift store
2 lazy boy rocker/recliners- $40 each- "" ""
Sleeper sofa in bedroom retreat-$25- "" ""
Many other misc...side tables, computer desk, bookcases, lamps, pictures, etc. --thrift store

Dining set, dd's bedroom set, ds' matress, reclining wing chair, futon in spare bedroom, some lamps & decor---gift or pass-along from family or friends.

The only "bought-new" furniture that DH & I can think of other than matresses, is our entertainment center and china cabinet. Even those were at a discount because of very slight (read-nearly invisible) cosmetic damage. Oh, and a few tvs along the way and that's it.
**********

Afterthought....this is in our current home after our house fire in 2001. But even prior to that the amount of new furniture, etc. was maybe 20-30%

Hope that helps you. Frugality and thrifting are a way of life for me. I feel very blessed to have been given or found so many things in such good shape. I guess too that it helps that I'm not too prone to "Jones-ing" about too many things either.

[Momto2Boyz]

Okay, here is mine! I think the total will be pretty low, but we'll see if I am shocked or not at what I paid!

Living room:
couch & loveseat - $60 for both on ebay
computer desk - free (garbage picked)
computer desk - free (side of the road)
Entertainment center - free (used from parents house)
side table - $5 garage sale
plant stand - free (side of the road)

Kitchen -
table & chairs - $100 (used)

Bathroom -
Old school bench - free from grandma's stash of antiques
Mahogany armoire - $30 at auction (but add $40 to refinish) - $70

Bedroom -
Matress - $500 (bought that one new)
dressers - free (one from a relative, one from a friend)
end table - free (from friend, matches dresser)

Kid's room -
Bunk beds - $20 (garage sale)
dressers - DH had when he was a kid
desk - free from grandma's antique stash
book shelf - free (garbage picked)

Den -
couch - free (side of the road, hideously ugly but so comfy)
recliner - free (don't remember from where)


Ok, I think that is all of our furniture: so here is my grand total: $655. Not too bad since $500 of that was an Englander mattress! Otherwise our whole house of furniture only cost us $155! How funny!

[knotme]

I have not bought anything new from a store is so long I don't think I could remember what it was.

Most of our furniture is from Auctions. (we were able to get 3 brand new desks from auction for about $10. One is an executive style, the other 2 are computer desks)

my kitchen table is a freebee from a place DH worked at. they were going to throw it away.
my chairs for it were auction finds for about $5.

We have 3 lazy boy rockers that we picked up for $3. at auction. they are in almost new condition, and are very comfortable to sit in.

We did get a chair basically free that we gave to my MIL. she was in need of a chair that raises you up to stand as she can't do that any more and needs someone to help her get up and down. This was a brand new chair in fabulous condition.

these are just examples of what DH and I have done.

[mombottoo]

I have never under stood "keeping up with the Joneses"...the one thing you have going for you that your friends probably don't is that everything you have belongs to you ! That in and of itself puts you way ahead of the game in my book!

The only thing that matches in my entire house is my bedroom set and I was married almost 30 years before that even happened.

[ravenmaniac]

Okay here it goes:
* Mine and dh bedroom furniture - free from my grandmother, it's solid wood so I'll never part with it. Our desk was $5 at a yard sale, it's ugly but serves its purpose for now.
* dd bedroom furniture - free, my mother bought it for her from pier 1 on clearance for her 14th birthday.
* ds bedroom furniture - free my mother bought his bed from Potterybarn and it is awesome. He loves the baskets underneath for storage. He uses a stainless baking rack and shelf for his tv and clothes. He's had it for years so I can't remember what it cost, around $150.00 for the both. His computer desk was free from mil, I'm refinishing it to match his bed.
* Family room furniture was free from my mom. Couch, love seat, chair, solid wood coffee table, and end tables. Her husband hated the sage green color so I said, "I'll take it!"
* Living room Antique couch was free from mil, she paid to have it recovered as a present. Antique coffee table free from mil. Dry sink free from mil.
* Kitchen - solid wood dining table, ball and claw feet with windsor chairs, free from my mom. Hutch and buffet - free from my grandmother.
It sounds eclectic but when people walk into my home they love my style and say they feel at home. (Don't think I wouldn't love to have the Potterybarn Basic Sectional.) I think it is important to reflect what you like. If you are comfortable in your home with your belongings most people will be too. People sense when you don't feel "good enough". Be proud of your home. It takes a lot to make your house a home, after all it's not about things.

[FrugalMomof3]

Yikes, I am a bit embarrased, I might be called the Joneses as I have alot of stuff that we purchased ourselves but are all paid for and we have no debt besides the mortgage.

Living Room:
- Sofa & Loveseat - $1800 (purchased back in 2002 with saved money + income tax, came with tables and lamps)
- TV - $1500 (Big screen TV purchased in 2002 paid cash
- Primitive Bookshelf - $125, purchased at a country store in cash back in 2004-2005
- Primitive Chimney Cabinet - $110, purchased at a country store in cash back in 2005
- Hutch type thing w/additional store piece - $40 (purchased off a lady from Craigslist in 2007)

Kitchen/Dining Room:
- DH made the kitchen cabinets and we paid for these in cash, all my dishes and bowls, etc. were purchased at Walmart and flea markets
- Kitchen Table & Chairs - Purchased at Just for Cabinets (unfinished) for $300, we stained and sealed them
- Hutch - Also purchased at Just for Cabinets (unfinished) $150, we stained and sealed (Table & Chairs and Hutch were purchased in 2002 in cash)
- Primitive Hutch purchased with income tax refund n 2005/2006 at a country store for $250

Bedrooms:
- DH & I - Purchased our bedroom set at Unclaimed Freight for $850 with income tax refund money, we had no bed so this was a treat. Our Queen size pillow top on both sides of mattress was purchased at D&D for $200, and that was paid in cash as well. We have a flat panel HDTV we paid with this years income tax refund for $1700, Wii purchased with savings $350, Gaming Systems/Games (PS2 & Games, purchased at yard sales/flea markets for $100 for all 20 games and game unit)
- Daughter - Her bed is a captains bed and purchased at a yard sale for $100, it's solid wood and it's lasted 4 years already, so well worth the money
- PSP Game system/Games/Movies - Swapped this out for items I already had (Makeup/Clothes) so to me I consider it free!
- Oldest DS purchased his own bed
- Entertainment Center - $100 (Solid pine @ Just for Cabinets)
- DS's TV - $50
- DS's Dressers - FREE
- DD's Dresser - $40 from an ad in the paper, solid wood with mirror

Bathroom:
- Primitive Shower Curtain w/matching window valance, purchased off ebay $40 for both (Are handstained and painted)
- Lightswitch covers (4) - Purchased off ebay, handpainted and custom made $25

Computer Room:
- iMac - DH got this for me for our anniversary 2008 $1350
- Mac Laptop - $1200, I got this for DH with money I was saving in 2006
- My PC, purchased at Walmart $250 (Black Friday Special 2005)
- DH's PC, I think it was like $600, but not sure
- Larger computer desk - Resale store $40
- Small computer desk/sewing station FREE! from my mom
- Sewing machine - Walmart $125
- Embroidery Machines - 180D and another one, $1250 for both, purchased at a local sewing machine store
- Entertainment center (storage) $40 at a yard sale
- Storage Piece - $25 at a resale store

I feel bad, but I have to say that all of our home items were paid for using income tax refunds, money that was saved up, etc... Also, most of the items were purchased when I bought y first home in 2002 with money we had been saving up as well.

No more new things for us unless we can pay cash

[Suzi T.]

People love my house because they feel at home and cozy and isn't that what we all want for our guests? My DH and I have only been married for 7 years but it's our second marriage and you can imagine trying to combine two households! It has taken us all of these years to winnow down to our present housefull of stuff.Every Friday we go garage saling as our hobby and find wonderful things we didn't even know we wanted! Much of our furnishings have come this way and we LOVE the treasure hunt!

[Jamauk]

I'm not going to list all of my furniture because I haven't had my cup of coffee this morning yet & I'm just too lazy!

I will offer this though, everytime you think you want to go out and spend a bunch of money (furniture, cars, etc...) on things that you want and not need just think of that baby you so desperately want and the goals you and DH want to reach before becoming parents.

DH and I have some pretty lofty goals and every once in a while I just get tired of being ssssoooo frugal. However, I just remember our goals and know that each spending spree (and even my "spending sprees" seem piddly comarped to the Jones'!) puts us further away from that goal.

Good Luck! This really can be a learned lifestyle and once it becomes second nature and everything starts to "click" into place it is so freeing!!

[wannaBsmart]

i would love new living room furniture but it is soooo expenisive...i look on craigs list everyday to see if i can find something that is nice and cheap....have not found anything yet...lol

bedroom-

bed-free from craigslist
dresser-free from friend

computer room-
desk-free from friend
tv-free from friend
filing cabinet-50.00 from walmart
long table-80.00 from target

dining room-
table-free from mom in law
hutch-free from mom in law

living room-
couch-free from friend
entertainment center-free from friend
coffee table-free from mom in law
shelves-100.00 from target

[YankeeMom]

Mine might not make you feel better. Most of our furniture is nearly new, having slowly had to replace one piece at a time (and it's all paid for).

Living room:
Sleeper Couch - bought brand new in 2002
Recliner - bought brand new in 1998 (still saving towards replacing this)
Entertainment center - bought brand new (Aafes) in 2004
End tables/coffee table - bought brand new (at Kmart) in 2002
Media center (holds dvds/cds) - bought brand new in 2004 (Aafes)
Bookcase - dh hand made it in 1996?

Dining room
Table w/ four matching chairs - bought at yard sale for $20 in 2006
2 chairs that match each other but not the table set - borrowed from my mom
Entertainment center (actually a desk armoir, we use it for the kids' gaming center) - $10 from Craigslist

Kitchen
Maple table that was dh's grandmother's
2 matching chairs borrowed from my mom
2 bar stools left by the previous owner of the house
microwave stand left by the previous owners of the house

Mudroom
Bench w/ storage hand made by dh
Larger bed w/ storage - yard sale find for $12
small pantry bought brand new at Kmart in 1997

Office
Dh's desk - bought brand new in 2000
My desk - antique mahogany family heirloom
kids' desk - bought brand new ($20) from Kmart
desk chairs- bought brand new in 2002, 1999 respectively
bookcases - bought brand new (on clearance) at Lowe's in (2) 2002 and the other in (1) 2004

My bedroom
Queen bed, short/wide dresser w/ mirror, tall/narrow dresser, 1 night stand - bought brand new in 2003

Boys rooms
DS1 bed, dresser w/ mirror & night stand - family heirloom...was dh's bedroom set when he was a kid
DS1 desk - bought from the SA for $15
DS2 2 dressers & headboard bought off craigslist for $20. We just need to get a frame.
Both boys have new mattresses that were freebies. They were brand new, still in the plastic and were going to be thrown away because they were 'last years model' so we got them free.

DD1's bedroom
her bed, short/wide dresser w/ mirror, tall/narrow dresser, and night stand are all family heirlooms. They were in MIL's guest room and she gave them to dd a few years ago. We just recently replaced her mattress though.

DD2's room
Her bed, mattress/box spring, short/narrow dresser w/ hutch/mirror, tall/narrow dresser, and night stand were bought off craigslist for $200...they were in someone's spare room and they were moving & didn't have room.

All in all, I'd say it's not too bad. We have quite a nice mix of nearly new and family heirloom pieces.

There are three things on our list to buy for the house:
New recliner(s) for the living room
New dining room table w/ 6 matching chairs
bed frame & box spring for DS2

We are slowly getting there. In no way are we keeping up with the Jones'. Most of what we have purchased brand new replaced something that was VERY old (20+ yrs), broken in a move, or just hideous.

[tbs727]

One of my new goals in life is to use up everything I have until it is completely worn out. If I don't like it, I'll do what I have to change it, paint, slipcover, etc. but I won't buy new. I am looking for a used leather couch, but it has to be in good condition and it has to be $100 or less. I can wait. I will take more hand-me-downs from family.

Lets see what I can remember...I think I'm going to copy this for my blog. There are lots of pictures of these items on there as well.

Living room:
couch- from dad $0
coffee table- side of the road (trash to treasure) $0
ironing board/table- from Great-grandmother $0
Matching Chairs- flea market- $35/both
Papasan Chair- Craigslist- $15
Dresser (used as TV stand and storage)- from MIL $0
End table (TV tray)- from dad $0
Antique End table- came with marrying DH $0

Office:
Desk (actually kitchen table)- given to me from co-worker when he moved $0
Side table- Craigslist $10
Book shelf- built by grandpa $0
Club chair- from mom $0

Kitchen/utility room:
Table- flea market find $35
Chairs- from mom $0
Chrome shelf- purchased $50
Laundry sorter- $40

Bedroom:
Vintage Waterfall dresser and vanity (also full sized bed, stored)-given to DH by his brother $0
King size bed- from step-grandma $0
Mattress with topper- $500
End tables (TV trays)- from dad $0

Spare bedroom:
Dresser- from dad $0
futon- freecycled $0
2 folding chairs- craigslist $14
small bookshelf- yard sale $3

Well, we haven't spent too much so far!

[heartofmine]

I sure don't try to keep up with the Jone's but one thing I have figured out is that the basic's you are better off paying a bit more for than buying a cheaper brand. Now if I can find it at a thrift store at a good price I love it. I also have to say that most of the items bought new were bought at a discount from the company my husband works for. We saved and saved until we had enough to buy new pieces for the house. Some were bought at income tax time too.

Lets see..
Kitchen- Refrigerator and Stove bought new $1000.00 for both. (bought 5 years ago)
Dishwasher-$500.00 bought new 2 years ago.
Oak dining table and 6 chairs bought new 19 years ago $500.00.

Livingroom- Couch and matching chair bought new 5 or 6 years ago $1000.00.
Recliner- $316.00 bought 3 months ago. (we saved $200.00 with our company discount on it)
End tables my mom gave to me 25 years ago when I got married. They are still in excellent condition.
Oak Queen Anne coffee table bought at a water damage place for $30.00. It wasn't even hurt.
Rocking chair my mom gave to me. My dad bought it 32 years ago for her and I helped pick it out.
Entertainment center my husband built for my daughter's room and after she was through with it I recycled it for the livingroom.
Computer desk bought new $150.00.
TV bought new $250.00
Study cabinet bought new $100.00
Wood and glass display cabinet was a gift from my husband one year for Christmas.
Everything else in the livingroom is a mixture of new, flea market and yard sale finds.

Son's room-4 piece bedroom suite bought new 25 years ago for a little over $1000.00.
Mattress and box springs were bought new a few years ago.
His large entertainment center my son paid for and had my bil to build. $300.00. He gave him a big discount on it.

Daughter's room-Bed $100.00 bought new (headboard and hollywood bed frame-twin)
Mattress and box springs bought new a few years ago
Dresser and matching chest of drawers bought new but had a damaged corner so I got them for $100.00. They are solid wood. I loved getting such a good deal on them and unless your looking you can't find the damaged area.
Night stands are skirted inexpensive tables with glass on top about $15.00 each
Book case she had my bil to build for her $100.00
Tv stand I bought at the flea market for $10.00

Master bedroom.-I have built ins for the tv and storage so not much furniture in there.
Wrought iron sleigh bed bought used for $75.00
Mattress and box springs bought new a few years ago
Antique school desk bought at an auction for $26.00 is used as a night stand on hubby's side of the bed.
Floor lamp $15.00
55 gallon fish tank was bought new but I can't remember how much.
3 cabinets it sets on were bought new but at a discount store for $30.00.

There are 2 other rooms they are laundry and storage rooms so I'll skip those.