Now that August has officially begun, it's time to start preparing for the fall semester. One of the first ways you can begin to prepare is by shopping for dorm/off-campus housing supplies. Unfortunately, the expenses of university (fees, textbooks, school supplies, etc.) can add up, which results in many students following a budget when shopping for their dorms. Luckily, Rowan's Odyssey has a few tips to help you fill your space with inexpensive furniture, appliances, and decor that your fellow peers will be envious of!
1. Finding discounted furniture can be frustrating, but have you ever considered browsing your local "Craigslist" page for listings?
Many users post furniture items such as dressers, tables, and chairs that have been gently used at a budget-friendly price or, even better, free! This is definitely one of the first places you should consider checking before investing in any in-store piece.
2. Other online media for finding inexpensive furniture, as well as decor and appliances, are websites such as Hautelook and Ideel. These types of websites take high-quality items and sell them online at discount prices.
How is this possible? Well, I'm not exactly sure, but I can vow, from personal experience, that these websites are 100% trustworthy and deliver exactly what they advertise! Make sure you plan to order items from these websites at a reasonable time to ensure they have arrived before move-in weekend!
3. Some amazing in-store places to scope out decor and furniture are Marshall's, Ross, and Tj Maxx! These stores, quite like the online media, offer pieces from well-known brands such as Cynthia Rowley, Nicole Miller, and Max Studio.
These stores are great for finding pieces for your dorm/off-campus housing that double as organizational storage, such as ottomans, baskets, and bins. The best days to visit these stores are in the middle of the week (Wednesday and Thursday) while the store is receiving new shipments of products and placing them around the store in preparation for the weekend.
4. A budget's best friend is the dollar store. The dollar store is great for smaller items such as picture frames, cutlery, and soap dishes. Others, like Five Below, sell items that perfectly suit the lifestyle of a young adult such as chevron decorative pillows, plush throws, and even tranquility fountains all at an affordable price!
Dollar stores can sometimes be dangerous, due to their inexpensive prices. Customers tend to be more willing to add unnecessary items to their shopping cart and forget that numbers add up, resulting in an unexpectedly expensive dollar store trip! Write out a list and stick to it, while also using the calculator on your phone to ensure you do not spend more than desired!
5. Lastly, Target! Bare with me, I realize Target's prices can sometimes be intimidating, but if handled correctly, are in fact budget-friendly! Timing and resources are key when tackling Target! The first step is to check your local Target circular for their weekly sales, but do not wait, Target is already featuring school and dorm supplies in stores! The next step is to download Cartwheel, Target's savings app that is filled with discounts on every category of products including household items, appliances, furniture, and decor! After that, look online at the coupons Target is currently offering. The great thing about Target is that they accept both Target coupons and manufacturer coupons and combine them. This allows for even more savings! Lastly, sign yourself up for a Target Red Card for 5% off of all your Target purchases. Most individuals are automatically accepted for a debit card, and a credit Red Card can be earned depending on approval.
The goal is to try to match up products in as many resources as possible. For example, if Target is having a sale in their circular for Kitchen Aid appliances, check Cartwheel for a possible additional percentage off as well as Target's and Kitchen Aid's manufacturer coupons. These will all combine with your 5% off with your Red Card resulting in ultimate savings.
Some final tips for shopping for your dorm/off-campus housing is to develop a budget and only purchase necessities unless there is spare money leftover. Also, do not wait until the last minute to shop unless you are willing to buy whatever the stores still have in stock after other university students have raided them. If you were able to use some of these resources and tips, be sure to share them with Rowan's The Odyssey Online social media accounts!
