Help :(

maroon_jelly

Hello,

My boyfriend and I are currently renting a furnished house but due to a number of problems we are having to move soon.

The problem is we cant afford another furnished house so we'll have to buy our own furni, pretty much everything, bed, sofa, fridge freezer, washer, wardrobes ect. Plus my other half has just lost his job.

I have always had problems getting credit, I dont have a bad credit rating, I just dont have a rating at all so the companys dont trust me my other half is the same. My bank account is always in credit and I have a decent income but over the last 2 years I have applied for a few credit cards and smallish loans (£1000 - £2000) but always get turned down.

Anyone any ideas what we could do?

Im trying to avoid Bright House as they charge a fortune for the items to begin with then charge 29.9% on top.

How strict are places like DFS with their credit?

Is it worth trying to see my bank manager and explain why I cant get credit?

Also, Littlewoods currently have an offer on, pay nothing til feb 2010 then 29.9%, I could easy pay majority of it off before 2010. Do littlewoods give credit easily?

Any help...

dacouch

ebay or gumtree

jackomdj

freecycle....

clareyocs

No matter how desperate you are don't do the credit option ............. Save Save Save ......... beg, borrow.... anything but credit!

dragon47

But all you need to get started is a fridge and a mattress. Save up for those now then move in and buy the rest when you can.

tyllwyd

I agree, see what you can get second hand. Instead of a wardrobe, get a hanging rail for now.

And find out what is available locally - there is a charity in our local area called 'Waste Not Want Not' that takes good second hand furniture. There may be something similar near you.

HalfPint

Dont do the credit thing...only gets you into more trouble.

Freecycle should be your first stop, them gumtree and other second hand sites and shops. Bargains can be had at car boot sales too. Ebay can be good but be careful using it as it is not always the cheapest.

Know any friends or family having a clear out...ask them if you can have it.

Ok you may not have the most up to date height of fashion stuff but that is better than finding yourself in debt and struggling to pay it.

It is possible to fully furnish your house without having to spend a fortune.

Laura

Treacle1983

Checkout FREECYCLE - I spotted some lovely bits of furniture being given away in my area.

Also some of the charity stores seem to be doing less clothes and more furniture - especially PDSA - I have seen sets of sofa and two chairs going for £40-£70.

Gumtree is also fab for freebies.

You can get cheap bits in argos - like canvas covered wardrobes etc.. for about £20............

Treacle1983

If you get desperate - argos have a card/account that is interest free as long as you pay it off within a certain time - they also do a lot of buy now and pay later deals

olias

I agree with everything above, I'm sorry, but I do get annoyed when people want everything now and also everything new!

When I got my first home I had a couple of deck chairs £5 each, a mattress £100 (OK I splashed out on a cheap new one!) and a hanging rail £10 from argos. You don't need a fridge/freezer, and when you do, just start out with a small one with an ice box £90

As far as washers go, I used a launderette for the first 4 or 5 years I had a home until I could afford a washing machine.

Auctions are also good for cheap furniture

My local YMCA has a shop and they had a wardrobe/dressing table and drawers (all solid wood and a lovely art deco style) for £40 the lot! Also they had a three piece suite for £40

Just don't do credit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Olias

Any

Hi Maroon Jelly,
credit is not a bad think as long as you know you can get it for reasonable interest (not 29.9%) and you know you can afford it. I wouldn't think that now is the time.

Start with matrace, small fridge and set of bedding. See what you can get on freecycle. Chances are that you will actually get a lot there.

As for your credit history - there is a way, but you HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. There are credit cards for people with no/bad credit, with veeery hight APR or pre-pay ones. People get one of those, buy little things on it they would buy anyway (petrol, food) and PAY IN FULL EVERY MONTH. Do this for 6 mths or so and it will show on your credit record and show that you can manage your money. Then other lenders will lend you money. But screw this up (run up a big debt, miss payments etc) and you make the matter worse.