I really like to go to thrift stores and furniture consignment stores for original retro furniture, I really do!

For me, this is exactly like a scavenger hunt … but of course it has ‘dark sides’.

People often complain about their ‘obsession’ with nearby thrift stores and also that they can’t say No to low-priced deals that are 100% useless to them.

The end result of this ‘habit’ is usually a storage room full of useless (or unsuitable for homes) retro furniture that they then decide to sell or dispose of in one way or another.

There are some cool points about ‘impulsive’ savings purchases:

1. All the money spent during 1 year on not so essential items could have been invested in something much more useful or necessary.

2. All of these purchases require them to redesign their homes all the time to find a place for everything they have. Really feel for them!

Then I thought to myself: “You have a passion for furniture stores and thrift stores as much as they do. Why then don’t you share the recommended solutions for this impulse buying habit?”

How I stopped spending money and started saving for the things I really want: a teak sideboard.

First of all, every time I stop at a second-hand or consignment store, I allow myself a budget: 50 euros. It is your choice how much money you intend to spend each time, on average I choose fifty euros and it really works. I learned that the more permissive you are with yourself, the more difficult it will be to stick to the 4 magic rules below.

The 4 magic guidelines to save money while you save.

1. I go to the end.

This is especially true for flea markets. If you go, say, an hour or so before closing time, you may have a much better chance of getting what you need at the price you want. This is especially true for massive furniture that the seller might not want to bring back. I call it the ‘Critical Seller Hour’.

In about the last hour, many salespeople have to make as many sales as possible, which means that they are even more willing to accept negotiations and reductions than at the beginning of the day; it’s natural … otherwise they wouldn’t have a lucrative day!

2. I avoid using the car.

Yes, I know this may surprise most of you. If you go by public transport or on your motorcycle, or even if you share the car with other people who would like to save with you, you simply will not have enough space to carry bad things and you will be forced to choose!

Ok … you might be wondering … and suppose I find that wonderful retro piece of furniture that I’ve been trying to find for a long time, then I can’t buy it! Without a doubt you can, you can leave a deposit and come back later with your car.

3. I have a “thought walk” before buying.

If I notice something I love, I go for a walk before asking the price … Going around and having time to think about it is comparable to counting to 10 just before saying something

While having my ‘thought walk’ I always ask myself:

For. I really want it? B. Where would you put it at home?

Taking a walk can also help you understand the frequent value of that type of retro item and make sure the one you’ve seen isn’t too expensive; It happens often!

Four. I never say OK, I BUY IT.

If you are absolutely sure that you would really like that object, that it has the right place for it, and that it does not cost too much compared to others on the market: go for it but don’t buy it.

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