Setting up a home 1st time

flubberyzing

I found the pound shop was great for kitchen stuff when I was just starting out (7 years ago now!). They do pretty decent baking sheets/tins, which I still buy. They don't stay looking great forever, but at a quid, it doesn't matter if you throw them away after a year. I buy a new stash of them about that often. They are also good for cutlery/mugs etc. Very occasionally they do small saucepans.


If there is an IKEA near you though, that would be worth a visit. Their kitchenware section is usually vast, the stuff is decent, and most importantly pretty cheap.


These days, the larger Primarks do a very decent range of bedding, towels and general linen like tea-towels.

jackyann

Electrical goods: 2nd hand or donated as long as they are safe - if not, then the best you can afford, as above.
I'd say 2 good knives - one small, one large.

Everything else can be charity shop / freecycle / whatever. As you go along you learn what you want to spend good money on and what you can get away with cheaper.

I would usually say better to buy good stuff second hand than cheap new.
I also think that say, a cheap saucepan might not be quite as good and won't last as long, but by the time you've done with it, with luck you will have money for a good one, and the experience to know what to choose.
Linen from charity shops is often excellent (from people clearing out elderly relatives' homes)

Also make a wish list for Xmas / birthday