It's wonderful... except for the price tag
@wilsongoddard (7291)
United States
November 20, 2012 6:18pm CST
I have a vision of how I want my new place to look. Ever since I first set foot in the place, I started dreaming of how I wanted to decorate it.
Our budget for decorating is extremely tight. I can deal with that. At least, I thought I could...
I am creating a dining space that is a bit Japanese-inspired. Meaning I am putting down bamboo mats, using floor cushions and am looking for a large coffee table or cocktail table to serve as the dining surface.
I find that "perfect" cocktail table this evening. I saw it and fell in love. It is the sort of table for which I have been searching.
Sounds great, right? Of course, there is a problem. The problem is that the table is about $100 more than I really want to pay for such a table... and that is being generous.
So, what is a girl to do? Boyfriend says that we can go back and buy it if I really love it that much, but the budget-conscious side of me is saying, "Are you crazy?"
What would you do? Splurge and buy the table, which would mean having to tax our resources and expand our decorating budget, or keep looking for another, cheaper table that might not be close but not quite "it?"
1 person likes this
5 responses
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
18 Oct 21
I wanted to get some new pots and pans today..but do you think I could? No
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
19 Oct 21
I know how that one goes. I think that, when I was saying "decorating budget" here, I was mostly trying to perk myself up about the slummy rental that we were in. We've had a lot of really bad places over the years; with each one, I've gone in with an optimistic spirit. That fades after a few months, though.
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@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
19 Oct 21
@wilsongoddard Yes, it sure does. I know what you mean. I have tried so hard here in this slum, but anything I do suffices for a few days and that is all..
Like my Mother RIP used to say
You cannot make a silk purse out of a pigs ear
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@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
I can identify sooo much with your post, I really can. There are many things I do without because of money issues. I would love a nice, comfy bed to sleep in but no, the good ones cost way too much money. Yes, I could get a mattress instead of a whole bed but it's the BASE that's a problem, not just the mattress.
There is a red carpet I have my heart set on (and have done for years) but that's currently out of our grasp as well..and I refuse to compromise on a cheaper, imported version that just wouldn't last.
As for your predicament, if you are paying for the table by cash then you could probably haggle. A friend of Mum's (who sadly passed away a few years ago) always paid for things using cash and ALWAYS haggled.
It's worth a try.
I guess, what I'm trying to say is BUY IT!
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
21 Nov 12
I don't think we could haggle in this situation.
I'm going to take a look at another, which (based on an online photo) looks like one that may work. I won't know until I see it in person. I don't know the price on it yet, though, so it may lead me back to the other.
Sadly, I started out looking for a thrift shop bargain. I switched over to new furniture stores and antique shops when I realized that no thrift shop in the area has the sort of piece for which I'm looking. So, the price range for the table has already shifted up drastically just by making that switch; now, I'm contemplating going $100 over my limit for a new table--cutting into what I can do with the living room. 
I know that this is going to be a long process with furnishing this space and turning it into what I want, but I want to get the space into something that can be a platform for welcoming guests soon.
I know that this is going to be a long process with furnishing this space and turning it into what I want, but I want to get the space into something that can be a platform for welcoming guests soon.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
21 Nov 12
I research online for furniture ideas all the time and it ALL seems to be so expensive and the cheap stuff..well, isn't really cheap anymore is it? I blame the 20% VAT slapped on virtually everything we buy in this country; it's a joke.
I hope you find what you are looking for..and don't forget to post a pic when you do.
I hope you find what you are looking for..and don't forget to post a pic when you do.
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
21 Nov 12
well, it depends on how much you want to sacrifice for that table. i am sure you could keep looking and find another table. as for me, i would probably shop discount stores or thrift stores. actually, we got our table at an antique flea market and it didn't really cost that much at all.
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
21 Nov 12
I would say every once in a while people can splurge, especially if they know they want that certain item. I say go for it :). Maybe you should save some money for other stuff more later, but if this is THE table, then it's no question whether you should buy it or not. If you pass on this, and settle with a worse-looking table, you're always going to think whenever you see the table that why didn't we choose the other one, I hate this one... even if you didn't hate it in the beginning, you would hate it just for not being the other one.
@rockyk (159)
• India
21 Nov 12
You know what I would say go ahead any buy it. Why? Because there must be something great about it. That's why you love it. Yes, it is a 100 more than your budget. But then you need to cut it down somewhere else. Or earn that extra 100 somewhere. But you will at least have that cocktail table. You just need to arrange that 100 from somewhere. And you know you can do it. Do let me know how it looks in your house!
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
21 Nov 12
It's still a real possibility. I need to look a bit more, though, because that price tag really is more than I went in expecting to pay. I'd started out thinking I'd find some great thrift shop bargain, and that didn't happen.
