PRIMP IT
Bargains need their space, too
October 20, 2009
Jennifer Wilson-Speedy
YOURHOME.CA EDITOR
It's tough to pass up a deal with Craigslist, eBay and thrift stores offering endless decor bargains.
Christopher Jones, Style North blog (www.stylenorth.ca) founder, is a confessed Craigslist junkie who's learned – mostly – how to keep his home from being overrun with cheap finds.
He advises:
One in, one out: When Jones brings home a new find, something else has got to go. He says visualizing where the new piece will be placed, and what you'll need to give up for it, helps stop an impractical impulse buy.
Stow it: You need room to store the piece you're replacing for those weeks it takes to sell it. Or sell it before you buy.
Cash, not credit: Jones says you should never use credit for a bargain purchase – "if you don't have the cash, you can't afford it," he says. And, if you cannot afford to pay cash, it's not much of a deal.
And if you're buying a score just to flip it, Jones says you should have the skills and knowledge to sell it for a profit – if you're not sure, skip it.
Toronto Star