New House - Where do I start?

Star2018

Hi,

I am throwing this open to any suggestions at all! Ok so the story so far . . .

I used to lodge at a friends house until she asked me to move out as she needed the space for her boyfriend to move in, completely understandable, I didn't fancy being a gooseberry anyway!! So another friend of mine ( i have a lovely bunch!) has recently moved to the other side of the Country to be with her boyfriend. She owns a house which she does not want to sell, just in case! However she wanted to rent it out, and here comes my bit! I suggested that it might be a good idea if she had someone who she knew would respect and look after her house, me! And of course there is the added advantage of mates rates for this peace of mind. She knocked me £50 off a month which I was very happy with. Ok so fast forward . . .

I am thinking of making the move in the next month or so. What do I do first and how?? Utilities? TV licence? Counicl Tax?

Also furniture wise, I have bits and pieces, mainly a lovely glass dining table and chairs, various kitchen bits; plates, glasses, small appliances. BUT I need to purchase other things of course, now I know that there are very cheap or even free ways to get things but my question is what is worth spending money on and what is worth saving money on?

Fridgefreezer (argos with warranty), washing machine (ebay??), sofas (i have seen some lovely ones on DFS in the 'sale'! £289 per 2 seater) bedroom furniture (argos?) curtains, towels, bedding etc (argos) bedside tables/coffee tables/computer desk (argos?)

Now I have probably missed many things that I won't realise I will need until I'm living there, please can you tell me about said things so I can include them in my budget!

I have been looking at argos so I can take advantage of their interest free credit period, I know that this shouldn't sway my judgement but I think that argos products are reasonably priced, stylish and quality (ish). I know that I will probably update things slowly as I earn more and time goes on. So of course I don't want or need a high standard of furniture, a sort of it will do for now approach. But which items would you do this with?

Sorry if I have babbled but I'm a little out of my depth and need for friendly advise and tips!!

Anything will be welcomed

Many Thanks

Katie

Esmerelda

My boyfriend and I are in the process of buying are first home so are also about to start the hunt for electrical appliances, sofa etc. Perhaps I'm overly cautious but I'm not planning on looking for washing machine/fridge/freezer on ebay, I tend to think the safest way for electricals like these is from a shop so they've got warranties. I'll let you know if I find any bargains but if anyone else has been looking recently and can make recommendations for particular brands or good deals, that would be brilliant.

I'd suggest TK Maxx as a good place to look for kitchen bits, towels, bedding etc as they often have some nice stuff for good prices. If you're near a Dunelm Mill it tends to have good value textiles, especially curtains. Ikea is always good for cheap and cheerful furniture.

Good luck getting set up!

amcluesent

I guess every new home-owner/renter makes the trip to Ikea get the utensils, lamps, throws, candles, wine glasses etc. etc. A trip there will set you up with the basics.

TBH, I'd steer clear of MDF/chipboard furniture which is silly money for rubbish, you'd get far better quality and interesting pieces in auctions and the like.

iwilldoitthistime

I personally wouldnt buy 2 seater sofas because you cant lie/slouch on them too well

Is your friend not leaving any of the white goods?

kmmr

Don't discount using Ebay - its good for lots of things, even for white goods. Just make sure you use paypal, and check that the seller has done plenty of transactions before.

You will save money on anything big. Even small stuff is worth is sometimes.

Paypal guarantees up to £200 (I think, perhaps more) if there are any problems, and the goods are often new and provided by professional companies. I bought my oven and cooktop, as well as my shower enclosure and have never had a moments problem with ebay people. In fact, also bought my bed from someone.

The only time I was scammed was someone who had no other sales, and who disappeared with my £200. Which i got back, after a bit of time just going through the process with ebay.

Second hand whitegoods are virtually given away if you will go and pick them up. Worth it for a while - then when you can afford a new one and want to use a mainstream dealer, they normally pick up the old one anyway!

Colliewobble_2

I'm *fingers crossed* due to complete on my first home in a fortnight.

Have you tried John Lewis for white goods? They will price match anything online so long as the onliner retailer has a 'real-world' shopfront - even if that shop is in Launceston and you are in Aberdeen.

They have price matched some real bargains for me - and you get the peace of mind of a 'proper' shop guarantee.

Star2018

The house is totally unfurnished apart from an oven. My dad is donating a brand new bed and mattress And my mum will get me a TV. So thats a big help.

I am thinking basic fridge from argos (£189) good price or not?

Washing machine ebay as cant really afford new one at the mo. Or can suggest somewhere else?

Seen some lovely sofas (2 seaters as the room is quite small, but i do get what your saying! I'll just have to snuggle up! ) from DFS (i can hear the gasps!) but they seem a good price to me £289 each and yes it does have interest free credit which does really help at the mo. Is it really a bad thing to take advantage of this or am i still being naive? I think £289 isn't a bad price, from what i can see?

Erm and then little bits and pieces, kettle, toaster, curtains, iron, ironning board, desk from argos, as i like their stuff, it is a name i trust and they are fairly priced i think. Also as above i would buy stuff from there anyway so why not take advantage of the extra leeway and spread it out a little.

If it was you what items would you splurge on and what would save on?

Star2018

ooh I never even considered john lewis, thought it would be way out of my price range!

TK Max has some very nice towels, thought about getting a few of the snazzy ones to give my boring cheap ones an uplift! I think thats what im trying to do throughout the house, get bargain items which are uplifted by an item i splurged (carefully!) on.

Star2018

Sorry i forgot, i need some very reasonable bedroom furniture ideally wardrobe, chest of drawers and 2 bedside tables. The only ones i have seen are from the likes of argos and tesco direct. IKEA hasnt really got anything reasonably priced as far as i can see which i was very shocked at! Any other places i should look? I'd like matching, so i think for £99ish it may be argos/tesco direct? Would anyone else do this? I understand it may not be the best quality, but it doesn't look to bad does it?

misskool

IF your budget is really tight and you want to spend time shopping around, ask for some bits on freecycle. You'll be surprised at what often comes up. The only hassle is that you have to go there and pick it up from the person giving it away.

Second hand shops are full of surprises, if they are from estate sales you can get solid wood furniture for a bargain. The ones around here clean and oil the furniture before they sell them

iwilldoitthistime

I got my bedroom furniture from Ikea and it was really reasonable. Much better quality than the cheap stuff from Argos (which I had before) and really flexible. You can add shelves, rails, drawers etc wherever you want, and if it isnt working the way you want it, its really easy to change. I have my bedroom tv wired into it and it keeps everything hidden away when the doors are shut.

the range is pax with opening doors - Ive just bought a double wardrobe for my sons room and it only cost about £140 (with hinges and rails). the matching chest of drawers is Malm, and the bedside chests are kullen at £20 each.