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Here is a checklist of household basics you're likely to need -- followed by a list of ways to afford all this stuff. (Hint: As much as you may want your own place, getting a roommate can cut costs in two, three or more pieces -- or you may luck out and find a roomie who's fully furnished!)
- Kitchen: Pots, pans, dish towels, baking dishes, plates, cups and glasses, flatware, coffee maker or kettle, microwave, spices, condiments and preparation essentials like knives, utensils and cutting board.
- Dining: Table and chairs or TV trays.
- Living room: Place to sit (futon, floor cushions, couch), TV, bookshelf, lamp(s) and music source (laptop, iPod dock).
- Bedroom: Bed, dresser, nightstand, mirror, sheets, pillow(s), blankets, bedspread and lamp.
- Bathroom: Shower curtain, toiletries, bath mat, towels, toilet brush and plunger.
- Miscellaneous: Cleaning supplies (including a mop, broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner and sponges), iron and ironing board, decorations, paint, curtains or blinds, supplies for your pet, light bulbs, paper products and laundry supplies.
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That looks like a lot, but readers provided a wealth of ways to save money, starting with the obvious: Raid the family basement or garage for furniture; make Yard Sale your middle name.- Kat, the reader whose initial post inspired this article, says to make a budget by pricing online all the things you think you'll need. "It's painful," she warns, but "doing the math will force you to decide what you need . . . and what can wait until later."
- If you're in student housing for the summer, make the most of other people's leftovers. When Hillary helped her brother move from his dorm, she was amazed (and horrified) by the "heap of mini ironing boards, rugs, lamps, desk accessories, kitchen items" other grads had tossed.
- Sally suggests alerting "all your friends and family to say you're moving and that they should let you know if they hear of anyone trying to give away furniture or sell it cheaply. You may be surprised what will pop up."
- Kit advises new grads to work -- a lot. "This accomplishes several things," she writes. "You don't realize how bad your apartment is because you're never there. You don't have the time or energy to be at the mall or anywhere else. The gas station becomes your grocery store -- and best of all, everybody at work will love your dedication and effort and promote/raise you that much faster!"
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- "Check if there are any military bases nearby," Kat adds. "All the bases have Web sites, and since military people move all the time, some of the Web sites have information that's useful."
- "One thing I would advise people starting up is restraint," writes SMDNY. "You don't need all-new dishes and glasses for 12. Also, I guarantee your tastes will change. Don't saddle yourself with an expensive, stylish couch that you may hate in two years."
- Writes Jill, a long-time WIR blogger: "The Ikea 'as-is' department is great. I got things in boxes for five dollars, like a wardrobe -- which I sold for $50 when we moved."
- Shop the dollar stores, writes Rebecca: "I was home visiting for a weekend this fall and picked up a few things . . . laundry basket, pizza cutter, corkscrew and ice cream scooper. ALL for four bucks!"
Finally, don't forget to factor in long-term savings, renter's insurance (which is cheap) and to set aside money for an emergency fund (see "Why you need $500 in the bank"). Your new financial life will be full of surprises and you'll want to be prepared. You can find more help in our Money in Your 20s Decision Center.
P.S. I'd love to hear more of your ideas for saving money in those early starvation years, as well as stories from those who scrimped in their 20s and lived to tell the tale. Join us on the Women In Red message board!
Updated March 28, 2008
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