How to Buy Furniture on a Low Budget

Purchasing furniture brand new can be expensive, especially if you are on a limited budget.

While buying furniture can sometimes break your wallet, there are other ways to get it for your home. You can find furniture that can fit your budget by browsing area garage sales, used furniture shops or contacting charity organizations. Read more about how you can contact these places to get the furniture you need.

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Step 1

Browse area garage sales. Read local newspapers to find out when some of the next garage sales in your area are. Garage sales are often given in the spring and summer months.
People are always selling used furniture. Just be sure to check it over carefully and look for any scratches, rips or tears. Ask the previous owner if it needs repairs.

Step 2

Shop in thrift stores. Thrift stores sometimes carry furniture accessories, such as lamps, tables and desks. Every now and then you can also purchase chairs or even a couch. Keep in contact with the thrift shop to see whether they can call you and let you know when furniture comes in. Furniture at thrift shops can be purchased at very low prices, marked way below the sticker price.

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How to Manage a Household Budget on Low Income

It can be hard living on a limited amount of money each week for your family.

When there's a failing economy or a lack of jobs in your area, it can be hard trying to decide how your family will get by on a limited budget. While life may throw you some hardships that you will have to make it through, there are ways to be able to pay your expenses and get the necessities that you need for living. Read on to learn how you can get by on a limited income, and still enjoy life at the same time.

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Step 1

Study the expenses of the entire household. Write down costs of utility bills, mortgage, rent, car payments, insurance, medical bills, and costs of food. Compare the bills with the income of the household. Make sure that there is enough income to pay the expenses. If there is not, make a list of the bills that are top priority such as house payments and utilities, and then food. Find other ways to bring in extra income for the household.

Step 2

Look at the different kinds of services that your household subscribes to. Cancel or cut back on any other entertainment packages that you may have. For example, cut back on current cable subscriptions such as extra movie channels, and only subscribe to basic cable until your household can afford to upgrade. Cancel any extra phone or Internet services that you may have. Purchase phone cards or pay-as-you go cell phones to reduce phone expenses. Access the Internet from the library, or find cheaper Internet services if it is a necessity for school work or your business. Look into packages where you can subscribe to phone, Internet, and cable at a lower price.

Step 3

Create a menu of the meals that your family plans on having for the week. Browse coupons and sale ads to find out where you can buy the best price ingredients and food that you need to create those meals. If there isn't a lot of money left in the household budget for food, contact your area food pantries, or find out how you can purchase food from Angel Food Ministries. Families can order boxes of food for only thirty dollars.

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How to Apply for Section 8 in Illinois

Illinois Section 8 program allows low income families, the elderly and the disabled to live in affordable housing. People in these programs receive vouchers they can use to secure housing within their own communities, as long as these places meet the required guidelines of safety and affordability. While the application process is simple, the waiting list is usually long.

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Things You’ll Need:

• Social security cards
• Birth certificates
• Marriage licenses or divorce papers
• Three personal references

Step 1

Find a housing authority office in your area by calling a local city building, chamber of commerce, or even a landlord. Call the office to make an appointment to complete an application. Each office in the Illinois area may have different rules for the application process.

Step 2

Bring the following documents to your appointment: verification of current income (such as recent pay stubs, 1099s and income tax statements), social security cards. birth certificates, marriage licenses or divorce papers, current address verification (such as recent utility bills and leases), three personal references and a statement from your doctor if any member in the household is pregnant.

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