- House Hunting
- Where Our Mothers and Design Sense Intersect
- Season Two is Here!
- Shopping the Antique Stores
- Cincinnati Flower Show
- We Got Some Ink: International Herald Tribune & New York Times
- Garden Inspiration
- Are Home Ratings Helpful?
- Why Do You Decorate?
- A Little Spring Inspiration
- Spend Now or Save Later
- Where are All the Pretty Ice Tea Makers?
- What Happens When...
- Home Stereos are on the Phased Out List, Should we Rejoice?
- Decorating for the Four Senses
- An Extension, Retreat or Enhancement
- Seasonal Decor, Not Just for Homes
- Armoires or Closets -- for Your Boxers or Briefs?
- Stagnant Suitcase Syndrome
- The Break-In Blues
- The Beauty of Simplicity
- Screw the Sound, All We Want is the View
- 25 Things You Want to Do (In Your Home) Before Next Year
- Bring Back the Brass
- Buying Based on Background Checks
- Car Culture
- Getting on the Lint-Free Line
- Here's to a "Durable" New Year
- Home Sick
- My Gift to You: Enjoy!
- The Second Time Around: Welcome Back
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Spend Now or Save Later
Now that the bad state of the economy has been confirmed, be prepared for a large inflow of "budget-friendly" suggestions. Everywhere you turn you'll find articles and TV shows telling you ways to decorate without breaking the bank. Those "dime store designs" will offer clever ideas that seem good at the time, but from what I've learned you get what you pay for.
So what should you do? Your budget is tight, and you want to decorate.
The side that's touted most says, "Spend your money now. Get things on the cheap. Sure they may not be what you really want, but your home will look much better than before."
The other side you rarely hear says, "Save your money to get the things you really want. In the meantime, make fixes that cost next to nothing."
I'm a fan of the rarely heard side because it's the side that is truly budget-friendly. The first side appeals to impulse buyers who typically end up regretting their purchases and want something new a month or two later because after all it wasn't what they really wanted. They compromised, and no one likes to compromise.
So save your money. Start looking for things you truly love - things you'll love years from now. Make a decorating funds jar where you insert all of your extra change. If you want a way to freshen up your home's current look, try:
- Rearranging your furniture
- Swapping furniture from one room to another
- Going through your attic to find treasures once forgotten
We'll all get through this economy slump, and when we do you're decorating funds will probably be close to full - if not ready to spend. And your decorating ideas will have been perfected after months of careful - and thoughtful - planning.
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