buying 'stuff' for a place you havent got yet? madness or moneysaving?

CraftySaver2689

i agree with getting things before you move, i did this before i moved into the rented flat we're in now, it did help as its amazing where all your money goes once you have to pay bills

we're now hoping to buy a house (once we find one that liveable) and are doing the same again as i have the money just now and will probably have other things to use the money on once we move in

although go for simple things that you move you'll like and need, ie curtains not such a good idea as you don't the size of your windows

chanie

I highly recommend starting your 'bottom drawer' as I did this.

When I was saving for my house, if I was out and about and saw things I needed/wanted, I would get them and put them away. I got loads of bargains, including:

Cuttlery from the Next sale, £15 from £35
A wall clock from Next, £12.50 from £25
Knives from Matalans £10 from £20
Pots and pans from a home shopping channel, £20 from £80


WHen you get your place, you'll still find that there are loads of things you will need anyway, so its good to have a head start.

I always think its better to buy quality stuff as if you buy cheaper stuff, you end up having to replace it. Now that we've got our own place, we don't have the same disposable income, so it worked out well

The only thing I would say, is to think carefully about what you buy as you may find that you get things you can't use and end up wasting money. For example, I bought a rug from Next in the sale, but it doesn't suit the colour of the room, so its currently sitting in the cupboard under the stairs (in my defence, I bought the rug when we were buying a house and it fell through and it doesn't suit the place we finally bought).

Decluttering

I've not moved out yet or have any short term plans to move out but I think when I start to get a plan together I will be doing something similar. I think it will be motivating to spend positively as well, for example if I was in the mood to spend money I think it would be more positive to buy something little for when I go instead of something silly that I don't need.

the_cat

I think it makes sense to accumulate some things in advance but would steer clear of buying anything at full price(or even sale price unless silly money) in the shops. You would be better off trawling freecycle, letting friends/relatives know you are on the lookout for stuff, going to car boots and charity shops and picking it up a bit at a time

Then you can buy what is still needed in the shops once you are about to move

pinkmami

I don't see anything wrong with it! If you can afford it & need it well why not!

We're (family of 5) are moving to a bigger place in the summer & I've bought things for the new pad for a while. New curtains, bed linen etc cos I'm excited, prefer buying when I have the cash cos I couln;t afford to do it other wise. I've had a few bits in the sales & I'm so glad I bought them.

MarilynMonroe_2

im-lost wrote: »

Probably the wrong place to put this but...

How many of you are / have move out from your folks are buying things
that you will need when you eventually move?

You know the type of things you WILL need when your off in your own
place, the little things that when added together will drain your bank
account dry, kitchen 'stuff', bedding, bits and pieces etc etc

Some of my family think its 'odd' that I do this, is it? My reasoning is that
if I see a bargain now that I will use I may as well buy it as it'll save
forking out for it in the not too distant future.

So hands up who has done a similar thing when they moved, or are doing
the same thing because they will be moving shortly.

those that have done so, where do you draw the line? Do you stick
with the small things or are bigger things ok to get

I had bought loads of stuff before I left home, its normal and exciting! ... ''bottom drawer'' they call it.
I would go as far as kettles, toasters etc for 'big stuff'

make_me_wise

I did this before moving into my own place for the first time. Actually to be honest my parents started me off. I think they were keen for me to be off their hands early, lol. Mum called it my bottom drawer. By the time I left home it was full of towels, bed sheets, plillow cases, cutlery, cups, glasses, kitchen utensils, etc etc.

Anything that was at a bargain price was snapped up for when I would eventually leave home. Seems like common sense to me.

None of the big things were purchased in advance. Whether you are renting or buying I think those things should be left to purchase until you move in. My husband and I now have a rule about any house we buy. We live in it for about 6 months before doing any decorating or making any big changes. Get to know it and have a feeling about it before getting the place as we want it. Saves a fortune in the long run and you end up with a home you love and dont want to change a few weeks in.

bigmomma051204

Hiya - i did this! When i lived with my parents, before i even had a boyfriend or any money to move out lol, i had a "bottom drawer" (and it actually WAS the bottom drawer in an old massive chest of drawers lol) - i had loads of bits and bobs i bought over the years.... meant i had nicer quality stuff that i bought in sales etc and when i DID move out, i had LOVELY stuff and hardly had to buy anything. Mainly bought littler bits but also bought a microwave, saucepans, kettle, etc etc........ kept them in the wardrobe LOL! I also had a new bed which i bought whilst still living there but i wouldnt advise this - has been a RIGHT pain having to make it then take it apart over the years and i have only moved 3 times!!

All went to waste when i had to leave the house i was living in with my ex.... had to leave him very suddenly due to him not being a very nice person at ALL (in a physical way etc) which meant i could only take with me what i could fit into my car (which at the time was an old mini!) :cool:

But yes, its a GREAT idea!

bigmomma051204

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Free stuff yes, or stuff you get very cheaply. Otherwise better to wait and see what you really need.

I don't know anyone who's moved into a furnished flat, maybe it's a London thing.

I know lots of people who have moved into SEMI-funished flats/houses. They tend to have things like white goods, maybe a sofa and things like rugs, mirrors and curtains..... they didnt have beds, wardrobes or anything like that. Apart from obviously fitted wardrobes!

Nicki

I had accumulated things like towels, bedding, pots and pans, crockery, etc before I moved into my first home. I was also given some stuff like microwave, kettle and toaster as wedding presents, which were great when we got our first house about 6 months later.

I personally wouldn't buy electrical stuff to stock a bottom drawer, as these days electrical things can be temperamental and fail quite quickly. So I would want full advantage of the year's guarantee they come with. I've lost count of the number of kettles, toasters and irons I've owned which haven't quite made it to the one year finishing line and have had to be returned for a replacement. Fortunately we live immediately across the road from Currys!