Decorating on a Budget-Part 2

It is 11:30 pm and Bekah is still sorting and organizing the new home she and Ashkon moved into 2 weeks ago. So I am her ghost writer tonight. Today, we had a successful adventure searching for the best deals we could find. We were looking for creative ways to store useful items in her home in an organized manner. Buying new pieces of furniture was definitely NOT in their budget so we brainstormed all the places that might have things we could use. We hunted for inexpensive things that could be used for functional storage spaces. We saved a lot of time and money by being prepared with all kinds of coupons, discount codes and special apps on our phone. We had a strategy for which stores to start with and what to look for in each store.

Here are some things Bekah did before we left that gave us the upper hand for our “Decorating on a Budget”.

1. Look up each store online to discover their weekly ads and markdowns and print up any available online coupons.

2. Take advantage of the in-store specials.

3. Check to see if the stores you are going to have apps on your phone and have all the items you wish to buy designated before hand on the app. (Target’s Cartwheel app is fantastic!)

4. Check for coupons that come in the mail, in magazines or in flyers that you may have picked up the last time you were in the store. Some stores even give you coupons on your most recent receipt, but you have to keep an eye on the expiration date on those receipt coupons.

5. Check your email for free membership subscribers coupons that come to your inbox once or twice a week and print out any coupons you need. Some of these memberships will text the coupons to you as well.

6. Use your smart phone to check prices for competitors in case the store you are in does price matching. And, if you know that your smart phone shows a lower price than what you see in the store, do not hesitate to ask for the store manager to see if he or she will honor the online coupon or sale price.

7. Pull up the most recent coupons for each store while you are in the store

8. Always remember to ask for Military or Student/Teacher discounts when checking out.

So 5 hours of shopping and 5 hours working in the apartment-building shelves, setting up creative wall units, moving furniture around in a few rooms and filling all kinds of baskets and clear plastic bins we are heading to bed. We even had time to hang a functional shelf and a hat/coat holder. A full day of fun and a home that is almost done. I have a handful of receipts in my purse and every single one of them has a big $$$$$ saved written on the bottom.Mission accomplished!!!

Pictures to follow when Bekah has all her home finished.