Don't Rush to Fill Your Home

If you bought a house and now you're standing in an empty house and have no idea where to start, I've been there.

Do not drive directly to Ikea.

No Ikea shade - my entire apartment in Los Angeles was furnished by ikea. EVERYTHING. But it's time to level up. If you're gonna own a house you're gonna be there for a minute so you might as well invest in quality furniture and decor. And you can do it for CHEAPER and BETTER QUALITY than anything you can find in stores.

I'm talking the secondhand economy.

Let's talk about Facebook Marketplace. And before we do, let me give you a little context.

I deleted Facebook a very long time ago because I hated it. Then I made a new account for work. Then deleted that one over privacy and data concerns. Facebook's current moral predicament is less than ideal, and I genuinely do not want to support their company as a business. And yet — buying a house made me make a Facebook account solely for Facebook Marketplace.

I hate that that's where we're at. But hey, capitalism, baby.

Here's the thing: Facebook Marketplace will be your new best friend when you buy a house.

When you move from an apartment into a house, you suddenly need a category of things that simply didn't exist in your life before. A shovel. A rake. A sprinkler. A fire pit. Tools. Garden stuff. Outdoor stuff. Random stuff you didn't know you needed until you needed it. And on top of that — if you're anything like me — you may find yourself in a new city, without the same community of people you used to rely on.

In my old life, I had several very handy men who were excellent at building stuff, hanging things, fixxing things - people I could call to hang a TV or help me figure something out. I'll be honest, some of that was probably a little sexist of me to rely on men to do "house things". But regardless — when I moved to Kansas City, that community wasn't there anymore. So it was either pay someone to do everything, or figure it out myself. And figuring it out myself meant first figuring out how to actually get the stuff I needed without spending a fortune.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is an undiscovered gem that absolutely everyone has already discovered. But for home stuff specifically, it is the GOAT. There is no reason on planet Earth to buy a brand new sprinkler. There is no reason to buy a brand new fire pit for your backyard. All of this stuff already exists, it's already on Marketplace, and it's a fraction of the price — often in perfect condition.

My personal rule of thumb for Marketplace and thrift shopping: I have to be able to wash it.

That's it. If you can wash it, it's fair game. If you can't, maybe pass. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so that's just where I've landed. But for outdoor tools, garden equipment, furniture, appliances, and basically anything house-related — it's all there, and it's all waiting for you.

Thrift Stores

Obviously. I am the queen of the thrift and I will not apologize for it. Before you buy anything new for your house, check your local thrift stores first. You would be shocked what people give away.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

This one deserves its own section because not enough people know about it, and it is genuinely wonderful.

First, a little background: Habitat for Humanity is an incredible organization that helps people own homes who might not otherwise have the chance. Part of their model involves sweat equity — the people who receive a Habitat home actually help build the home they'll one day live in. It's one of the most meaningful approaches to homeownership out there.

And as part of their work, they run these stores — ReStores — that are essentially giant thrift stores for home stuff. Contractors, builders, and house flippers donate their leftover and discarded materials: extra tile from a new build, a 1950s pink kitchen sink someone just ripped out to install a farmhouse one, old doors, cool vintage windows, tools, fans, refrigerators, furniture, rugs, art — literally anything home-related you can imagine.

I got every single outdoor tool I own from a Habitat ReStore. My shovel, my rake, all of it. I also got all the little pavers for my garden beds there. All while supporting an organization doing genuinely good work in the world. It doesn't get better than that.

Find your nearest ReStore at habitat.org/restores.

Garage Sales

Don't sleep on garage sales. Especially for outdoor tools and yard equipment — who cares if there's a little dirt on it? You're going to use it in literal dirt. Get over it and save yourself forty dollars. Some friends of mine are really into Estate Sales - I've never been to one but they absolutely have potential.

Buy Nothing Groups

If you're on Facebook at all — which, again, I understand the reluctance — search for a Buy Nothing group in your neighborhood. These are local community groups where people give things away for free. Completely free. No catch. People are generous, they have stuff they don't need anymore, and they'd rather give it to a neighbor than haul it to Goodwill.

You do not need to have a lot of money to furnish and equip a home. You really don't. You just have to be willing to look around before you head straight to Target.

The overall theme here is this: get creative about how you take care of your home, how you furnish it, and how you equip it. The secondhand economy is rich, it's accessible, and it's out there waiting for you.

Don't be afraid to get your hands a little dirty in the process. That's kind of the whole point.