Furniture - furniture used vancouver

New Mom...New Baby...New Debt New Mom...New Baby...New Debt
Susan Koiner

Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along with your expanding waistline comes the ever growing list of products for you and your new bundle of joy. Preparing for a new baby can be a costly experience, especially in the areas of clothing and nursery furniture. The good news is that it does not have to be!

Let’s talk about buying baby clothes...think RESALE! Every new mom gushes over the adorable clothing available for babies, but they often come with a not so adorable price. Resale clothing costs a fraction of the retail price. Buying resale clothing does not equal buying trash! Moms sell their baby’s clothing to resale stores for a variety of reasons. Babies outgrow clothes so quickly (normally before they show any wear) they simply cannot use them anymore. Many precious newborns receive more clothes than they can wear in a season (everyone loves to buy baby clothes for shower gifts–they are just too cute!) that cannot be returned and they end up in resale stores with the tags still on! If you have the time and know what you are looking for, you can find plenty of designer and brand name clothing for a steal!

Buy now...save later! There is more beauty to the changing of the seasons than just the landscape! As the temperatures change, so do the prices of baby clothing! Most stores slash the price of their clothing up to 75% by the end of the season to make room for new clothes. Take advantage of this by buying a size or two larger than your baby’s current size for him/her to wear the next year. The savings are amazing!

Another large expense when you are preparing for a new baby is furniture for the nursery. A good place to start when considering which pieces to buy is determining how much room you have to work with? Do you have a large room or do you need multipurpose furniture? A crib is a necessity and a given; however, you can pick and choose other nursery pieces. Combination pieces such as dresser/changing table combos are available at some stores and can save you from buying two pieces. Cribs with attached drawer space that convert to toddler beds are also available and will save you a lot of space. Thinking ahead when buying nursery furniture will save you both time and money in the future. By buying a combination piece of furniture for your nursery, you eliminate having to sell furniture you no longer need, as well as spending time looking for and more money on new “big kid” furniture.

Now that you have decided what to buy, it is time to shop! Once again, think resale! There are many children’s resale stores that carry pre-owned nursery furniture for 50% or more off retail. They usually have several styles to choose from in different price ranges. If you find something you like, they will usually hold it for you (if you were not really prepared to take it home) and some stores may even have lay away plans.

Another great place to buy pre-owned furniture is the classified ads in your local newspaper. Seller’s usually place ads on Thursday or Friday so they can catch the weekend readers. If you find something you are interested in, call quickly! Good furniture does not last long! Make sure you ask the seller plenty of questions. It is important to know before heading out to look at furniture things like the manufacture name, the age, if they have pets (if you are buying cushioned items and allergies are an issue for your family) and the exact color (if it is not adequately described in the ad). Asking these questions may be uncomfortable, but they can save you a lot of time and gasoline looking at something you know you will not be interested in. When you do look at pre-owned furniture from the newspaper, take someone with you and know what you are looking at. Are the style and the manufacturer of the furniture worth what the seller is asking for it? Is the furniture reasonably priced for it’s age and condition? With a little knowledge, buying pre-owned nursery furniture can save you BIG money!

Awaiting the arrival of your new baby is an exhilarating time! Add to the excitement by saving money on quality gently worn (and sometimes new) clothing and pre-owned nursery furniture!

Susan Koiner is a SAHM, and former teacher, of three great kids ages seven, four and three. Her family, like many others, struggles with the challenges of "one income" and from this comes her passion for finding creative ways to save money. Susan is also the owner and creator of the online shopping directory www.momsmegamall.com.

Pine Furniture Care Guide Pine Furniture Care Guide
Steve Hattrick

First, some background on PINE WOOD. Pine is a naturally soft wood which continues to "breathe", based upon changes in the local (home, office, store, etc.) humidity and temperature. On the individual furniture piece there may be slight defects, such as knots,and shakes(small cracks in the surface of the wood). Some minor shrinkage may sometimes occur. These natural irregularities in pine enhance its overall uniqueness.

Do not place this product next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. Wood is a natural product and will expand if subjected to damp and will shrink and may crack if subjected to heat. This product is made of pine, which is a timber that is common for furniture, but susceptible to temperature changes. With pine furniture it is recommended that an even room temperature be maintained with no sudden temperature fluctuations, up or down.

Do not place HOT or CHILLED items directly on to the surface, use a place mat. Or marking will occur.

For general cleaning use a duster or damp cloth (ALMOST DRY) not wet.

Do not use soap and water or detergents of any kind on this product for cleaning. To maintain the characteristic finish on this furniture, do not use aerosol sprays or any polish containing Silicon. If unsure, try on an area that's not seen and look for reactions. There is a natural stain and finish on this furniture and it will react to most manmade products.

It will from time to time require the surface re-treating again to maintain its character. You can easily do this yourself using block wax (unperfumed), rubbing it over the whole item, following the manufacturers instruction. After treating your furniture, you may notice it is slightly more waxier than previously. This is normal because wood is a natural product that breathers and absorbs depending on room temperature.

The use of any cleaning materials other materials other than those recommended could damage the surface and will invalidate any claim.

From time to time it may be necessary to tighten fittings. This is normal and regular inspections should be carried out.

Do not place furniture onto a wet or damp floor as staining may occur to your floor.

Indian Sheesham

Furniture made from Indian Sheesham is provided in its natural state. It will appear polished due to the natural oil occuring in the wood. You should wipe your furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dust from manufacturing. The oil on the surface will evaporate after a few days outdoors. It is the oil that remains below the surface that gives the wood its durability. Some of these oils may bleed out following the first few rainfalls, and initially, you will want to bring your cushions in when the furniture is wet. Once the furniture has begun to form the silver-grey patina, it is no longer necessary to bring the cushions indoors.

To clean the furniture without removing the silver-grey patina simply use soap and water. Should you want to maintain the golden brown color, we recommend a teak sealer be applied every 12-18 months. Wood sealers are usually solvent based with water-like viscosity containing mould, ultra-violet light and moisture protection. The Wood protector should be applied after cleaning and drying out your furniture. We do not recommend painting Indian Sheesham as the wood's natural oils can affect how the paint adheres. Teak has qualities unlike any other wood as it has the ability to withstand the rigors of adverse climates.

Steve Hattrick Proprietor 10 years experience
Konteaki Furniture Importers
http://www.hattrick-furniture.co.uk