Value shoppers find furniture should be broken in, but not broken

According to Carrie Bradshaw, we are always shopping. Besides shoes, it was for one of three things: a new job, a new apartment, or a new boyfriend.

After finding a new place last week, I am 2 for 3. Which, of course, leads to more shopping.

With clean, empty rooms and extra wall space to fill, this kind of shopping is very exciting--and can also be very expensive if you are not a smart buyer.

Unless you are doing a serious overhaul or you plan to live in the place permanently, buying brand new furniture is an easy expense to avoid. Whatever you can't get donated from your generous relatives, you can find gently used. My new roommates and I were thrilled with the chairs and bookshelf we found at the used office supply depot on 11th Ave. in Downtown's East Village. For new glassware and other miscellaneous accessories, we looked no further than the giant Ross in Mission Valley, and plan on hitting up Hillcrest's thrift stores next.  Whatever you can't find by just looking at places like these, Craigslist will hook you up--you just have to be willing to spend a little time sifting through the posts to find the decent or at least reparable items.

As for the boyfriend---that's Carrie's beat.