How do you replace big household items/decorate without getting into debt?

lisa_75

We have worked really hard this year to stop using credit. We have halved our debt and I feel day to day we can manage Last year we did not buy any big electrical or household items. However it is now getting to the stage where lots of things need replacing, like the fridge, bedding etc. Usually I would just stick it all on credit and not worry.

How do you replace expensive items/decorate etc without getting into debt? All out bedding (and the beds to be honest) desperately need replacing. When I totted up the cost of mattress toppers (to save buying a new beds), pillows, duvets, 2 sets of bedding for each bed, it came to over £700. it will take me about 4 months to save up that kind of money and that does not include the fact that the kids bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom desperately need a lick of paint and my fridge, freezer and oven are on their last legs.

I am really beginning to waiver now, despite all the hard work. When I see my friends having new kitchens and bathrooms fitted, new sofas and then look at my shoddy house, I wonder why I am doing this.

lynzpower

Hi Lisa,

Well I think its hoew you are thinking about it that poses the issue

When I totted up the cost of mattress toppers (to save buying a new beds), pillows, duvets, 2 sets of bedding for each bed, it came to over £700. it will take me about 4 months to save up that kind of money and that does not include the fact that the kids bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom desperately need a lick of paint and my fridge, freezer and oven are on their last legs

For a start, do you really need 2 sets of bedding for each bed, all in one hit??

I have recently repainted every room in the flat, decorated throughout and bought lots of bits & pieces in terms of house dring for sale.

I spent less than 200 quid. I bought paint from a trade centre, and I got a double duvet cover set for 4 quid from Primark.

I was given a new duvet from a family member who got it as a freebie & didnt want it.

The pillows I got were in the sale and were a fiver for a pair.

Im not sure how many bneds youve got but why 700 quid!

My mattress was 175 and that was a miracoil silent night one from a local place, but guess I could have got it cheper with quidco shopping around etc.

keep an eye out in M&S clearnace or next for cheap homewares, matalan also excellent.

Martins budget planner suggests putting money away for large appliances & decorating, under home maintainence. Im not at the mo, weve done our spending on it, but once weve moved, we will be doing that.

lisa_75

lynzpower wrote:

Hi Lisa,

Well I think its hoew you are thinking about it that poses the issue

Im not sure how many bneds youve got but why 700 quid!
at.

I do know where you are coming from and I could buy cheaper, but I have found in the past that cheap bedding does not last. I bought 6 pillows last year for £20 and they are past their sell by date after a year of use. Same with the bedding, which is less than 2 years old, but already needs replacing as it was cheap.

We have 3 beds, a double and 2 singles.

melaniec_2

have you looked at joining a freecycle group. People offer all sorts of things for FREE all you have to do is collect it. I've seen fridges, Laura Ashley curtains beds all sorts on my local one. This might see you through while you save for new ones.

As Lynzpower said you dont have to buy expensive bedding, primark, Wilkinsons even Tesco do lovely things for a fraction of the prices you must be working on and you could maybe afford one a week or month. I've had some Wilkinsons bedding with embroidery for 3 years and its like new still.

beverleyhills

Have you tried https://www.freecycle.org for large electrical items. You may also find materials for decorating. It's amazing what people are willing to give away.

[Deleted User]

Just as an idea, I've recently bought a house/decorated.. we used sugar soap prior to painting all the walls. It does a good job of cleaning up old paint... how about cleaning the walls in the kids rooms, rather than repaint them?

Does your fridge need replacing, or does it look old and shabby, whilst still doing the same job it always has done? I would set a list of priorities of what needs replacing and gradually buy things, not do it all at once. Old ovens still cook food, old freezers keep things frozen. Only replace things like that when they actually break beyond repair.

Personally, i'd replace the bedding first, you may want to join Costco or ask people what offers there are there, as I know they do good bedding. Also, my gf's parents get all their bedding on QVC from the Northern Lights range.

Break it all down, bit by bit, don't do it all at once, you'll get there

barnaby-bear

lisa_75 wrote:

I am really beginning to waiver now, despite all the hard work. When I see my friends having new kitchens and bathrooms fitted, new sofas and then look at my shoddy house, I wonder why I am doing this.

Maybe they aren't in debt and can afford new stuff, you've already spent your debt and can't afford loads of new stuff. Maybe they are racking the debt up.

I'm not getting new sofas to keep up with the neighbours - but then I want to save so my kids can go to uni. I guess it's priorities.

I think you have very expensive tastes.

immoral_angeluk

I wouldn't pay £700 for new beds and bedding let alone just mattress toppers and new bedding! Our bed and mattress cost £180 inc delivery, Pillows were £5 from tesco, quilt about £10, and bedding sets you can buy for around £10 a set...
How on earth did you get £700???

immoral_angeluk

lisa_75 wrote:

We have worked really hard this year to stop using credit. We have halved our debt and I feel day to day we can manage Last year we did not buy any big electrical or household items. However it is now getting to the stage where lots of things need replacing, like the fridge, bedding etc. Usually I would just stick it all on credit and not worry.

How do you replace expensive items/decorate etc without getting into debt? All out bedding (and the beds to be honest) desperately need replacing. When I totted up the cost of mattress toppers (to save buying a new beds), pillows, duvets, 2 sets of bedding for each bed, it came to over £700. it will take me about 4 months to save up that kind of money and that does not include the fact that the kids bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom desperately need a lick of paint and my fridge, freezer and oven are on their last legs.

I am really beginning to waiver now, despite all the hard work. When I see my friends having new kitchens and bathrooms fitted, new sofas and then look at my shoddy house, I wonder why I am doing this.

That's all fair and good but imagine how much their new kitchen/bathroom/new sofa cost and I can guarantee you it'd be on credit which means paying even more in interest. Why would you want to put yourself in that position again for the sake of vanity? (Which is all it comes down to in the end... why buy a whole new kitchen if all you really need is food and a working cooker?)

lisa_75

barnaby-bear wrote:

Maybe they aren't in debt and can afford new stuff, you've already spent your debt and can't afford loads of new stuff. Maybe they are racking the debt up.

I'm not getting new sofas to keep up with the neighbours - but then I want to save so my kids can go to uni. I guess it's priorities.

I think you have very expensive tastes.

Yes, they are in debt, I know it. Some 10 times more than us. It is just so depressing when they have their shiny, new perfect homes and are so smug about it. Or when they are having an expensive holiday and we are taking the kids to Pontins with a cheap deal I found on here.

I was coping with it, but people looking down their nose at you is hard. My Mum said I was "cheap" for taking the kids to Pontins.

No one in real life I know is debt free. It is so hard being different and having people think you are tight.

rog2

Five years ago we went to M&S in Warrington, where they had a 'marquee' next to the main store. In the marquee, they were selling off the 'display' furniture - from all stores. We purchased 2 sofas, 1 armchair, sideboard, coffee table and display cabinet for £850.00 - Normal Selling price would have been over £3,500.00.
Apparently M&S do this in about 3 stores nationwide - it is on a first come first served basis, no warranty (other than your normal consumer rights) and you must collect (cost me £35 + diesel to hire a van). Best furniture we have ever purchased. At Warrington M&S, they do this 2 or 3 times a year - we live in Wiltshire, but my daughter was living in Warrington at the time.
I don't know if there is a big M&S near you, but it is worth checking out.