moving...yay!...but a little advice needed...long

**rachelMcK** · 03-23-2009, 06:40 AM

So about 7 months ago, I moved into what I thought was a great arrangement. Dh and I would be sharing a very large house with his best friend. His best friend rented it and found it too much for him, he needed help. Dh being concerned, and I finding the perfect opportunity to save $300 a month, decided to move in with him. Well. When I posted this plan on here, some thought it was a good move, others not so much. I should have listened to the 'not so much' category. Dh's 'best friend' moved to BC a month later, leaving us with the rest of the lease and paying $1200 a month, $300 more than what we were paying before. On top of that, because our stuff wouldn't fit here (because of the 'friends' plethora of stuff), we had to get rid of all of our furniture (except the bedroom). Mind you, that furniture cost us nothing (or next to) but it would be nice to have now. We're also babysitting his stuff. We're using his furniture, his tv, his dishes etc. because ours are packed away in a closet.

But, we've found a new place!! Its a nice one bedroom basement apartment, for $750, utilities included. Its in a nice neighbourhood and close to work (one bus rather than 3 from where I am now!). I also have full license to decorate however I want!! That is so exciting because decorating is a passion of mine and I wasn't allowed to touch a single thing in this place.

This is where I need advice. Would you buy brand new furniture? Buy the time we move in, we'll have enough saved. I'm looking to get what I can from craigslist etc. but I'm thinking that I want a brand new couch. Something that I really really like. I figure, its going to be with us for a while, since the next place we move to will be a home that we've purchased. I'm budgeting about $3000 for all decorating costs (including couch) but I hope I stay under. So would you buy new providing you paid full with cash (no financing)?

Also, I find myself being incredibly bitter toward Dh's friend. He came last month to stay with us for a week, and treated us like we were a hotel, Dh paid for every activity, going out for dinner etc. and he didn't clean up once and his girlfriend stayed here the entire time without even asking. Am I wrong to feel like DH is being used and abused? He would never say a thing to his friend as to not hurt his feelings, but I think he should have. I just feel bitter that his friend took advantage of us, but DH doesn't see it that way. Would you feel this way or am I just delusional?

Thanks in advance!

**phoeny_moonstar** · 03-23-2009, 07:53 AM

Uhh yeah. Being used and abused I would say is mild to what I would have said to the "best friend" or his gf.

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-23-2009, 07:53 AM

I would wait until I am in my purchased home to buy the sofa I want. Go with the bare minimum in this base housing and stick everything you can into savings.

**MoonMommy** · 03-23-2009, 09:02 AM

I think I would also wait on buying a couch because you don't know what kind of house you will buy in the future. How big will the living room be, etc. You don't want to then regret the first couch purchase because it doesn't "fit" with the new house. KWIM? And if you have the decorating "bug" that kind of thing may bother you.

Instead, I would look for something gently used that you can either recover or paint that will work for now.

I think I would be bitter at your Dh's friend as well. From your story, he seems pretty selfish.

**Greebo** · 03-23-2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by rachelMcK

This is where I need advice. Would you buy brand new furniture?

#1 - CC - PIF!!!!!!
#2- 23840/33900 = 10060 paid!
Is this accurate?

I'm budgeting about $3000 for all decorating costs (including couch) but I hope I stay under. So would you buy new providing you paid full with cash (no financing)?

#1 - CC - PIF!!!!!!
#2- 23840/33900 = 10060 paid!
Is this accurate?

Do you get where I'm going with this?

**jamie79** · 03-23-2009, 09:28 AM

Yes you have been used and abused
No new couch. Go to the thrift store and get something in good shape that will last you several yrs till your in a home of your own or until more debt is paid down

**Lady_V** · 03-23-2009, 09:52 AM

Now see... me... I wouldn't buy a new sofa, but not because of the money or anything, because for the last 6 months you have been paying for a sofa

The 'best friend' moved out, stiffed you for the lease/rent AND used the apartment he wasn't paying for as storage! He obviously doesn't need the stuff since it's been sitting in 'storage' for 6 months.

What does he plan on doing with all the stuff once you move? I don't know what the laws are like where you are, but around here... you vacate a property, you take your stuff with you in a timely manner... 6+ months doesn't sound very timely to me.

**frugalbabe** · 03-23-2009, 10:07 AM

Get rid of debt #2 and then by all means start looking for a new couch.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-23-2009, 12:09 PM

Yeah, you've been used. And if that debt is correct, you really shouldn't be buying new furniture.

**Sari** · 03-23-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Lady_V

Now see... me... I wouldn't buy a new sofa, but not because of the money or anything, because for the last 6 months you have been paying for a sofa

The 'best friend' moved out, stiffed you for the lease/rent AND used the apartment he wasn't paying for as storage! He obviously doesn't need the stuff since it's been sitting in 'storage' for 6 months.

What does he plan on doing with all the stuff once you move? I don't know what the laws are like where you are, but around here... you vacate a property, you take your stuff with you in a timely manner... 6+ months doesn't sound very timely to me.

I agree with Lady V. The very LEAST this "friend" can do is give you the couch you've been babysitting. Why was DH paying for everything when the friend came to visit? I'd be equally ticked at DH as I was at friend by this point.

**Greebo** · 03-23-2009, 12:26 PM

As tempting as V's suggestion is, without a prior arrangement that you would take possession of the Friend's furniture, if you do take it, then you're opening yourself up to charges of theft...

**rachelMcK** · 03-23-2009, 06:42 PM

I hate his furniture, i wouldn't take it...lol. You're right about the couch of course, I just got caught up in the moment! I'm the most impatient person, and after years of falling apart, ugly (but free) furniture, I just want something that is mine...lol. Ever get that feeling?

**IntlMom** · 03-23-2009, 06:55 PM

do you have an IKEA nearby??? it would be cheap.....and yours

**Domestic Gal** · 03-23-2009, 07:22 PM

Do not purchase a New or used sofa until you have the measurements.
I know that the door to my basement is only 28 inches wide. I was very limited to what I could buy as everything was to big to fit through the door.