Ask the Finance Expert

Decorating Savings

MHI: How can I save money when I’m decorating my house?

FT:Scour the Web. Sixty percent of people shop online today before going into a store, according to furniture experts. But the Web shouldn't be the only place to search. If you're not sure about an item’s listing online, visit the related store to see it in person.

Buy multipurpose furniture. My queen-sized bed also functions as a place to store my winter sweaters and extra sheets. Something as simple as a step ladder can also be used to display plants or picture frames.

Stop by yard sales and estate sales. Some advice: Dress down and don’t drive up in a fancy car. Next, carry cash, and not all in one place. Don’t let the sellers see that you have, say, a $100 bill in your wallet. Instead, keep a $10 in one pocket, a $5, and a $20 elsewhere. As for estate sales, consult the almighty CraigsList, as well as gsalr and EstateSales to find where they’re happening in your neighborhood.