re: #488 blueraven

Pro Tip - Not all women want to buy new furniture and drapes every year.
I have the same furniture for years. Leather sofas last a long time.
I shop garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores and practice DIY.
I manage to keep a fresh look for very little money.

And…I know a LOT of men who need new toys all the time.

With the exception of my bed - which I bought - my fridge cost $25, my washing machine was a freebie, the sofa came with the apartment, and everything else: stove, coffee table/cloth, microwave, furniture, plates, drinking glasses and cups and other assorted sundries - was all stuff I found that people have thrown away.

Berlin is best for that. I found a SonyEricsson phone, with a bad display, but other than that brand new, with charger. Bought a display online, installed it myself, sold the phone $75. The display cost me $3.50.

It’s amazing what people throw out. And kind of sad, too. People throw away perfectly good stuff. For example, my electric kettle, which I found not long ago - locally manufactured and in almost brand-new condition. I cleaned it up, and voila!