READING 4 How to Furnish Your New Apartment Cheaply

There are ways to furnish a new apartment without spending a lot of money.

How to Furnish YOUR NEW APARTMENT

Cheaply

Read the following conversation. Pay special attention to the words in bold. 8.5

Many people need to furnish their home, apartment, or room, but they don’t want to spend a lot of money. In this conversation, Student B gives his friend Student A (who moved to the U.S. recently) some tips for furnishing a new place cheaply.

A: The first thing I need for my new place is a bed.

B: OK, would you rather get a twin- or full-sized bed?

A: I know it’s more expensive, but I’d rather get a full.

A twin is too small.

B: OK. Look, this discount website has a full bed set for $250. They deliver for free, too.

A: Great. Could you text that information to me? And can I use your pen? I want to do some quick math.

B: Sure, here you go. What else do you need?

A: Some things for the kitchen—plates, glasses, pots.

B: Why don’t you buy them at a second-hand store?

There’s one nearby. It sells lots of gently used, inexpensive household items. A: Good idea. But I’ll need help bringing things home. Will you come with me?

B: Sure. Would you like to go this afternoon?

A: Yeah, that’d be great.

B: Is there anything else?

A: I’d like to get a desk and chair, but I don’t have enough money.

B: Try Craigslist.org or Freecycle.org. You can find free stuff 1 on those sites. And people often put unwanted items on the sidewalk, too—especially furniture.

A: I can take stuff on the street?

B: Yeah. Many people would rather give away unwanted items than put them in the garbage.

Actually, I have a small desk that I don’t use anymore. Why don’t I bring it to your place later?

A: Really? Thank you!

1 stuff: an informal word for things