Comments on: Using a Credit Card to Furnish Your New Apartment http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html Renters guide to solving problems, saving money, and living better. Sat, 7 Nov 2009 18:36:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Jenna http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-10033 Jenna Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:14:49 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-10033 There is one point that wasn't included, and may not have occurred to some of you. Absolutely, you should only buy furniture you can afford and cash in hand is better than credit. However, once you get beyond second hand furniture or "disposable" furniture from Ikea, Target and the like, a lot of furniture has to be ordered and a deposit has to be made. Furniture store reviews on the net are full of stories of errors made in orders and stores unexpectedly going bankrupt. They're also full of comments like, "I paid cash, so there's nothing I could do," and "thank goodness I used a credit card." Part of the purchase protection provided by credit companies is that they can make sure you get your money back in those situations. So the best solution is to save the money needed for the purchase, use your card to buy the furniture, then pay it off at the first billing cycle. That way, you get the purchase protection and you're not racking up debt. There is one point that wasn’t included, and may not have occurred to some of you. Absolutely, you should only buy furniture you can afford and cash in hand is better than credit. However, once you get beyond second hand furniture or “disposable” furniture from Ikea, Target and the like, a lot of furniture has to be ordered and a deposit has to be made. Furniture store reviews on the net are full of stories of errors made in orders and stores unexpectedly going bankrupt. They’re also full of comments like, “I paid cash, so there’s nothing I could do,” and “thank goodness I used a credit card.” Part of the purchase protection provided by credit companies is that they can make sure you get your money back in those situations. So the best solution is to save the money needed for the purchase, use your card to buy the furniture, then pay it off at the first billing cycle. That way, you get the purchase protection and you’re not racking up debt.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9156 Guest Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:15:30 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9156 You have to be crazy to charge to furnish a rental-- If you own the house -- buy the good stuff -- if its a rental you will have to move again-- rents go UP!! Craigslist is great so is Kiji.com -- Check out hopsital thirft shops etc-- Barter & Trade with freinds/family/ co workers-- If you charge even on a 0% card you are still biting yourself in the A**-- Revloving debt hurts your credit score the MOST -- it can make it hard to rent a better apartment, buy a car, or even a home. Plus visa & mastercard don't care if you loose your job and can't pay -- Buy a house first then buy the good stuff -- I am buying myself-- my rental is $840/mo my loan payment will be $850/mo fixed NO More Rent Increases YIPEEE Find out how Jenniferb@remax.net You have to be crazy to charge to furnish a rental– If you own the house — buy the good stuff — if its a rental you will have to move again– rents go UP!! Craigslist is great so is Kiji.com — Check out hopsital thirft shops etc– Barter & Trade with freinds/family/ co workers– If you charge even on a 0% card you are still biting yourself in the A**– Revloving debt hurts your credit score the MOST — it can make it hard to rent a better apartment, buy a car, or even a home. Plus visa & mastercard don’t care if you loose your job and can’t pay — Buy a house first then buy the good stuff — I am buying myself– my rental is $840/mo my loan payment will be $850/mo fixed NO More Rent Increases YIPEEE Find out how Jenniferb@remax.net

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9159 Guest Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:31:33 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9159 I'll be devil's advocate: I just used a credit card to decorate my apartment, and it was a great decision. Had I not built up the credit beforehand by using my card, I would have had to pay a deposit of over $500 more. I got things like nice designer bath accessories, kitchen supplies, and slipcovers for hand-me-down sofas. I bought a lot new. Now I'm the queen of second hand, but seriously, it wears out quick. You don't have a guarantee/return policy, or purchase protection. I've been penny wise and pound foolish for my last two apartments and I'm not making that mistake again. That said, don't be dumb about financing. I just spent $400 on living room decorations/kitchen supplies/whole new dining room set/entirely new bathroom. The whole thing matches, my stuff is clean and new, and I shopped sales. And since I'm a college student, it makes sense to have my cash free for school. I’ll be devil’s advocate: I just used a credit card to decorate my apartment, and it was a great decision.

Had I not built up the credit beforehand by using my card, I would have had to pay a deposit of over $500 more. I got things like nice designer bath accessories, kitchen supplies, and slipcovers for hand-me-down sofas. I bought a lot new.

Now I’m the queen of second hand, but seriously, it wears out quick. You don’t have a guarantee/return policy, or purchase protection. I’ve been penny wise and pound foolish for my last two apartments and I’m not making that mistake again.

That said, don’t be dumb about financing. I just spent $400 on living room decorations/kitchen supplies/whole new dining room set/entirely new bathroom. The whole thing matches, my stuff is clean and new, and I shopped sales. And since I’m a college student, it makes sense to have my cash free for school.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9158 Guest Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:54:55 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9158 Craisglist FTW! I taught myself how to stain wood and refinished a beautiful discarded Danish modern office desk. For the price of some supplies and a few hours, I got a desk easily worth over a thousand dollars. Things in my house I got for free: Danish modern desk 2 wall-sized mirrors, 3' round mirror, door mirror leather footstool (Crate and Barrel) black leather sofa, loveseat modern ash bookcase steel kitchen storage cabinet w. cutting board surface IKEA floor lamp IKEA desk lamp Crate and Barrel wood entertainment stand with drawers glass-front Sony media cabinet * 25 inch Sony TV * 20 inch Sony TV robin's egg blue floor rug white ceramic Pottery Barn dish set assorted pots and pans steel dish drainer *(neighbors upgraded to flat screens, LOL) All of this wasn't "cheap", but entirely without cost to me. Think outside the box and you won't be sorry! Craisglist FTW!

I taught myself how to stain wood and refinished a beautiful discarded Danish modern office desk. For the price of some supplies and a few hours, I got a desk easily worth over a thousand dollars. Things in my house I got for free:

Danish modern desk
2 wall-sized mirrors, 3′ round mirror, door mirror
leather footstool (Crate and Barrel)
black leather sofa, loveseat
modern ash bookcase
steel kitchen storage cabinet w. cutting board surface
IKEA floor lamp
IKEA desk lamp
Crate and Barrel wood entertainment stand with drawers
glass-front Sony media cabinet
* 25 inch Sony TV
* 20 inch Sony TV
robin’s egg blue floor rug
white ceramic Pottery Barn dish set
assorted pots and pans
steel dish drainer

*(neighbors upgraded to flat screens, LOL)

All of this wasn’t “cheap”, but entirely without cost to me. Think outside the box and you won’t be sorry!

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9157 Guest Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:07:55 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9157 I agree that this may not be the best advice, especially for a young person just starting out. Moving out on your own is stressful enough and large credit debit can add to the stress. I am a firm believer in that if you cant afford it, don't buy it. In saying that lol I have a credit card myself, to build up a good credit rating, however i have a student card with a low limit, and i always ensure i have the money in a separate saving account in case for some reason i cant make the repayments. I think it could be a good idea to try adding in a furnisher allowance to the budget instead (just till you get decked out) and it doesn't have to be a whole lot. Why not try second hand furnisher shops, ikea, or the newspaper. I also find a lot of struggling students often advertise cheap furnisher around campus when they need cash or why not keep an eye out next bulk refuse collection? Remember it takes time to get started and there is no rush! I agree that this may not be the best advice, especially for a young person just starting out. Moving out on your own is stressful enough and large credit debit can add to the stress. I am a firm believer in that if you cant afford it, don’t buy it.

In saying that lol I have a credit card myself, to build up a good credit rating, however i have a student card with a low limit, and i always ensure i have the money in a separate saving account in case for some reason i cant make the repayments.

I think it could be a good idea to try adding in a furnisher allowance to the budget instead (just till you get decked out) and it doesn’t have to be a whole lot.

Why not try second hand furnisher shops, ikea, or the newspaper. I also find a lot of struggling students often advertise cheap furnisher around campus when they need cash or why not keep an eye out next bulk refuse collection?

Remember it takes time to get started and there is no rush!

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9161 Guest Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:50:14 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9161 I don't think it's bad advice, but you have to be SMART about it. I got as much cheap furniture as I could as soon as I knew I'd be moving from my furnished place to an unfurnished apartment, and tucked it away in weird places in my old apartment until moving day. I found my couch at Big Lots, got my bed from Craigslist, and got furniture that you have to put together yourself rather than visiting the expensive furniture stores. My recommendation: if you use a credit card to get furniture, just get something to sleep on (which can double as a sitting place) and be happy with that until your budget recuperates!!! I don’t think it’s bad advice, but you have to be SMART about it.
I got as much cheap furniture as I could as soon as I knew I’d be moving from my furnished place to an unfurnished apartment, and tucked it away in weird places in my old apartment until moving day.
I found my couch at Big Lots, got my bed from Craigslist, and got furniture that you have to put together yourself rather than visiting the expensive furniture stores.
My recommendation: if you use a credit card to get furniture, just get something to sleep on (which can double as a sitting place) and be happy with that until your budget recuperates!!!

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9160 Guest Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:35:36 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9160 Save up the money for furniture. Do not use a credit card to purchase a depreciating asset. Save up the money for furniture. Do not use a credit card to purchase a depreciating asset.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9163 Guest Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:23:19 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9163 Do NOT use a credit card to furnish your apartment. Be sensible and smart, borrow, barter and use the "free" section of Craigslist. I was shocked to see this advice on this site. :( Do NOT use a credit card to furnish your apartment. Be sensible and smart, borrow, barter and use the “free” section of Craigslist. I was shocked to see this advice on this site. :(

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9162 Guest Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:41:48 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9162 Please don't use a credit card. Save your money and buy one special piece of furniture at a time. You can also get handed down furniture from family or go on craigslist or freecycle.com. Please don’t use a credit card. Save your money and buy one special piece of furniture at a time. You can also get handed down furniture from family or go on craigslist or freecycle.com.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9164 Guest Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:41:55 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9164 There are plenty of cheap and affordable ways to furnish your apartment besides getting a credit card. The last thing you need especially if you aren't going to have money to buy furniture for a few months is to rack up a lot of bills that you cant pay off right away which will hurt your credit score and possibly inhibit you from renting in the future. Completely stupid article. First try craigslist, the newspaper, flea markets, or an even better idea, save up enough money for everything including furniture before making a move. There are plenty of cheap and affordable ways to furnish your apartment besides getting a credit card. The last thing you need especially if you aren’t going to have money to buy furniture for a few months is to rack up a lot of bills that you cant pay off right away which will hurt your credit score and possibly inhibit you from renting in the future. Completely stupid article. First try craigslist, the newspaper, flea markets, or an even better idea, save up enough money for everything including furniture before making a move.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9165 Guest Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:24:25 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9165 Do not use a credit ard. How dumb is this!! This is why so many families are having problems today. Getting a home that you will be happy with takes time. Also plus with taking your time is you can make your apt more you, while finding it on sale. This artical really needs to be removed. Do not use a credit ard. How dumb is this!! This is why so many families are having problems today. Getting a home that you will be happy with takes time. Also plus with taking your time is you can make your apt more you, while finding it on sale.

This artical really needs to be removed.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9170 Guest Fri, 30 May 2008 21:08:48 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9170 If you want to build your credit, then use your credit to get something you may really need like getting an auto loan. Even repaying school loans on time will help to build credit. Buying an apartment full of furniture is WRONG! that is a lot of money to have to repay! at least $3000 if you go to an inexpensive store. then you have to pay monthly bills that you didn't have before the apartment (especially if you were living with parents and this is your first place), you have rent, possible auto loan payment, and you want to add $300-500 a month in credit card payments just for furniture! No NO! Go to salvation army or good will like the above writer stated, or simply get simple furniture from walmart like a chair or two, and a blow up bed, until you can afford to take your time buying the furniture DEBT FREE! When purchasing with credit cards we tend to forget out budget and think 'it will eventually be paid off' whereas if you pay out of pocket in your own time you know to keep your budget a priority because you 'gotta eat'. If you want to build your credit, then use your credit to get something you may really need like getting an auto loan. Even repaying school loans on time will help to build credit.
Buying an apartment full of furniture is WRONG! that is a lot of money to have to repay! at least $3000 if you go to an inexpensive store. then you have to pay monthly bills that you didn’t have before the apartment (especially if you were living with parents and this is your first place), you have rent, possible auto loan payment, and you want to add $300-500 a month in credit card payments just for furniture! No NO! Go to salvation army or good will like the above writer stated, or simply get simple furniture from walmart like a chair or two, and a blow up bed, until you can afford to take your time buying the furniture DEBT FREE!
When purchasing with credit cards we tend to forget out budget and think ‘it will eventually be paid off’ whereas if you pay out of pocket in your own time you know to keep your budget a priority because you ‘gotta eat’.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9169 Guest Fri, 30 May 2008 15:43:17 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9169 I'd recommend Craig's list over credit cards. I’d recommend Craig’s list over credit cards.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9168 Guest Mon, 19 May 2008 21:37:56 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9168 If you cannot afford the furniture, wait for the apartment until you can. Credit cards are not the way to go. If you cannot afford the furniture, wait for the apartment until you can. Credit cards are not the way to go.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9167 Guest Mon, 19 May 2008 18:46:46 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9167 What terrible advice. What terrible advice.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9166 Guest Sun, 18 May 2008 08:30:30 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9166 Add one more vote to remove this article. If you're not able to afford furniture after rent, you really need to reconsider your financial situation and expectations. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor will your new home be fully furnished in a month. Credit cards aren't piggy banks -- they're expensive loans that mean you'll be paying even more for your furniture than you should be if you're not paying it off in full that month. Save yourself 8%-29% on your next furniture purchase -- pay it in full at time of purchase. Add one more vote to remove this article. If you’re not able to afford furniture after rent, you really need to reconsider your financial situation and expectations. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor will your new home be fully furnished in a month.

Credit cards aren’t piggy banks — they’re expensive loans that mean you’ll be paying even more for your furniture than you should be if you’re not paying it off in full that month. Save yourself 8%-29% on your next furniture purchase — pay it in full at time of purchase.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9171 Guest Thu, 15 May 2008 16:13:59 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9171 Credit Card are not the answer first most people who are getting their first apartments are young and don't know the problems that can happen you should give a different answer Credit Card are not the answer first most people who are getting their first apartments are young and don’t know the problems that can happen you should give a different answer

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9173 Guest Sat, 10 May 2008 02:45:22 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9173 Get a better deal... Without a credit card! There are plenty of financially responsible ways to furnish an apartment. Going into debt is definitely NOT required. I would highly recommend visiting a nearby thrift shop, Goodwill, or even stopping by garage sales advertised in your local paper to purchase furniture, clothes, and kitchen-ware you might need. Most of the items you'll find at these places will be in good repair and can be purchased for pennies on the dollar compared to their original "new" value. Antique shops, flea markets, garage sales, and estate sales can also offer great deals, especially since it is expected that you can negotiate a better price. Even better, if you pay for it with cash, (and shell out a lot *less* of it) you won't have that "credit card balance" hanging over your head as a monthly payment. Get a better deal…

Without a credit card!

There are plenty of financially responsible ways to furnish an apartment. Going into debt is definitely NOT required.

I would highly recommend visiting a nearby thrift shop, Goodwill, or even stopping by garage sales advertised in your local paper to purchase furniture, clothes, and kitchen-ware you might need. Most of the items you’ll find at these places will be in good repair and can be purchased for pennies on the dollar compared to their original “new” value.

Antique shops, flea markets, garage sales, and estate sales can also offer great deals, especially since it is expected that you can negotiate a better price.

Even better, if you pay for it with cash, (and shell out a lot *less* of it) you won’t have that “credit card balance” hanging over your head as a monthly payment.

]]> By: Guest http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9172 Guest Thu, 08 May 2008 18:38:07 +0000 http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/use-credit-card-to-furnish-apartment.html#comment-9172 ------. Please take this down. Do you know how many people have debt problems they kill themselves over because of these damnable plastic rectangles? ——. Please take this down. Do you know how many people have debt problems they kill themselves over because of these damnable plastic rectangles?

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