How much of a need is a new couch?

[mamamilkers]

We have a dumpy old futon in our living room. I got it about five years ago, paid $50 for it and it just feels like any day it's going to fall apart. It makes me nervous, actually.

We don't have alot of extra money right now as we're saving for our wedding so I'm trying to figure out how much of a necessity it is to get a new couch? Is it worth it to put one on a credit card?

Any thoughts?

[polyhymnia]

I don't think it's a need. ours is really old, it was DPs grandma's. It is so nasty orange velvet and it has holes in the back. I don't want to think about the dust that is in it. You could always request money toward a new couch for your wedding present.

[xmysticprincessx]

if the couch/futon seems unsafe and someone might get hurt (like if the kids are jumping on it and it'll crack in half), then i'd replace it. you got your $50 out of it.

try big lots. they have *nice* couches for about $400. you can also get 20% off, but you either have to wait for a coupon (which they put out once every few months) or for a sunday with an ad (YMMV). they have a guarantee that all stores in the area will not run out of ad items on the 1st day of the ad. if they (and all area stores) run out, you get 20% off your purchases that day.

[phathui5]

Don't finance a couch! We did that and they got us for so much in interest and fees, it wasn't worth it.

I would go the craigslist/freecycle route and buy a slipcover if you don't like the color.

[Starr]

I wouldn't put furniture on a credit card, mainly because I made that mistake once already and learned the hard way. If its unsafe and needs to go ASAP, get rid of it and look at thrift stores, craiglist or ask around. Or if you can wait a while tuck money away and pay cash for one upfront.

[wednesday]

I would not finance a new couch. If I really needed to replace the couch and could not pay cash for a quality new piece, I'd go the thrift store/classifieds route.

[Belleweather]

It's not a NEED. A couch period might be a need, but not a new one. Craigslist, Freecycle, your local thrift store, or asking around can yeild a perfectly good couch without having to finance it. Frankly, if you have to finance it you can't afford it. Buy something you can afford.

[TattooedMama]

Originally Posted by Belleweather

Frankly, if you have to finance it you can't afford it. Buy something you can afford.

:

Every stick of furniture in my ENTIRE house is used.

[schrocat]

Don't finance a couch. If you think it's unsafe, get rid of it but don't finance one. You don't really need a couch if you think about it. My housemates and I used to sit on the floor leaning against a cushion to watch TV in the living room when we were students on a tight budget studying overseas.

[aircantu1]

Check Craigslist or Freecycle or even Ebay for something you can pay cash for. I certainly wouldn't charge one.

[zersha]

Yeah, I agree with all the pp's. A new couch is not a need. We've never had a new couch, they've all been hand me downs or used.

I would get rid of the scary futon though, and look for something used, or go without until you get all your wedding present money.

[ediesmom]

Originally Posted by TattooedMama

:

Every stick of furniture in my ENTIRE house is used.

i think i'll call mine 'antique'

[crunchy_mama]

I aggree with pp's check craigslist or freecycle. You will get a lot more for your money and not pay all the interest.

[KariM]

I wouldn't put one on a credit card (even a low interest one), but I would ask friends, neighbors, etc. to consider me for a hand-me-down if they have any they're no longer using.

I'd consider getting one on Freecycle, etc., but upholstered furniture can bring pests with it, so I'd be pretty cautious unless I knew more about the household it came from.

[GinaRae]

Ikea has cheap couches and you can check out the newspaper, yard sales and Craig's List. Also friends are a good resource! When we moved here we were given leather couches and ottomans that were a few years old but sturdy and decent. We've made sure they look like crap now, but they were perfect replacements for the camping chairs we were using!

[Red]

A new couch? *sigh*

I had one once.


Out local Salvation Army has couches I lust after for $100-$200. Our couch is so old, I don't know it's age. I keep a sheet over it, cause it's faded, ripped, etc. In a few years, when the kids have gone off and we've paid down our debts, I'll be getting a new one....either from Bob's discount furniture pit, or the salvy.

NEVER CHARGE ANYTHING!

[ReikiMommy07]

New couch on a credit card while saving for a wedding? I certainly wouldn't... Why rack up debt for a couch--that you don't "need"--when you're trying to save for something else?
I wouldn't put a couch on a credit card at all, but esp. not in your situation. You don't need a couch.
We don't have credit cards, but if we did, we'd only use them for medical emergencies.

[mamamilkers]

*sigh* I KNEW no one would tell me to charge a couch!

Thanks for the tips. The number one reason I worry about getting a used couch is something a pp brought up, you just don't know if there's wierd stuff in (ie fleas or worse). I also really like the idea of buying something that we will have a warranty on.

We really don't have the money for a couch. Of course, we can always buy one after the wedding with our gift money. I tightened up all the bolts on the futon for the eight-millionth time and I think we'll cross our fingers that it holds while putting our feelers for something better.

We have hardwood floors and only one easy chair in our home. There would be no where to sit without a couch. It certainly feels like a necessity to us

[Purple*Lotus]

All of my furniture is also used. Nothing wrong with a good slipcover over a lime green couch If the futon is dangerous, then replace it with something used.. but I would never charge one, no way, that would be a mistake, I think.

[beansricerevolt]

I agree with all the pp, go the used route.
I've ever only had used furniture and have never had any problems. A few pieces were even from a curb ready to be thrown away.
I have yet to see bugs.