Starting Up a Household - OldStyle

Very simple - buy second hand wherever you can - boot sales, local paper, hand me downs, charity shops and best of all local auctions (I buy and sell small antiques but I'm always amazed at the amount and price of good household items sold at the auctions) - and in time you can replace with new items if you want to

Hi Pauliesgirl

I set up home 3 years ago now - i had too i was 9 months pregnant and living with my inlaws in a 3 bedroomed house that is very small.

So me and bf went and rented a property together.

First thing id say is make a realsitic budget - take into account
*your rent
*your council tax
*your water rates (if seperate)
*your TV license
*gas and electric if paid monthly/quarterly or on a meter.

This way you have the basics covered (besides food and Petrol).

as far as food is concerned id meal plan - there are some great tips on this site to help out with this and always people about to offer creative ways of using up various things that you maybe wouldnt think of yourself.

Household basic stuff
Id say just buy basics (personally id wait before getting the breadmaker,slow cooker etc or put them in a achristmas wish list instead) i have been in my home 3 years and have only just bought my slow cooker because it wasnt a neccessity for me at the time. I brought dining set, kettle , toaster, microwave, cooker (if nto supplied) washing machine, furniture and other bits(sofas,table, curtains/nets etc) so just leave little luxuries until you are on your feet properly/comfortably. If your budget doesnt allow for it when you start out dont worry it soon will do once you are settled.


suggestions

for nets and curtains why not visit some local charity shops - there are always sets of curtains in them and im sure you could find something to match your decor.

Ikea - have really dirty cheap plates,bowls,mugs etc - your could go there and just grab a few odds and ends to get you started.

we lived off our microwave for the first few months of living in our house - you'd be surprised how much you can make in it with the right recipes and guidance.so if the budget wont allow to tbuy the cooker just yet - just put money aside and use the microwave for a while. (my nan has NEVER had a cooker instead she uses a steamer, microwave and slow cooker)

dont worry toomuch abotu decorating the house straight away - we had bloody red walls and brown floor tiles when we moved in - you can decorate gradually and get it sorted - plus a bucket of white paint is like £5 in focus.

also if someone offers you something - ie sofa there are going to chuck, cabinets, fridge - dont be hasty in saying no - with a good clean (and provided they arent totally bust up) they can do you for the time being and you can replace them as and when.

cant think of anything else other than there are lots of tips in the main index about making cheap old style cleaning kits, tips for heating etc so id suggest checkign that out too.

hope that helps hun

Hi paulie,
I dont save for clothes but if I have money left after everything else has been paid for I know I can treat myself!
I do however have 3 web savers that I put nto every month for Christmas, SUmmer Holiday and Car Maintenance (this covers tax, MOT and a small amount towards repairs). I find it easier to put the same amount of money away for these every month rather than have a panic when they are due!

I'm sure there's plenty better qualified than me on the furnishings/equipment front, but here's a "bloke" tip.

Get your car serviced and checked out before you move, or at least put aside £500! I bought my first house on a very tight budget, only to find the exhaust had blown two days after moving day - took it to the garage who also discovered that two of the tyres needed replacing - as I recall the whole lot came to an eye watering amount especially in my newly impoverished state.

If you can afford it buy a good fridge freezer new. It'll last you years, and the new ones are so much more energy efficient than the older ones you are likely to find second hand, that it can be a false economy to buy an old one. But, do look out for shop and factory seconds, it doesn't matter if there is a dent in the door, as long as it isn't gobbling electricity!