An editor’s first-hand guide to (easily) saving while furnishing an apartment

I moved into a new apartment on my own and realized something fast: When you’ve always had roommates, “furnishing the place” is a group project. When you live alone, it’s all on you. The good news is I’m an editor at Coupons.com, so finding a solid deal is part of my daily routine.

This month’s buys were not glamorous. They were the stuff that makes a living room and kitchen actually work. Furniture, a rug, a TV mount, food in the fridge, and yes, a streaming bundle for the first quiet night on my own couch.

I’ll tell you what I bought, what I paid, what was worth it, and what had a catch.

IKEA first, because you can’t “wait and see” on basics

I was already an IKEA Family member, which is their free-to-sign-up-for loyalty program, so IKEA was my first stop. I downloaded the IKEA app in the parking lot, pulled up my QR code in the “Wallet,” and scanned it at checkout to use a $5 reward I’d earned from earlier purchases.

It’s not life-changing money. But it’s the kind of small win that adds up when you’re grabbing silverware, kitchen tools, and the boring bathroom stuff you don’t think about until you’re standing in an empty apartment. And the best part was how simple it was. No emails. No printing. Just scan and go.

The best IKEA deal is the one hiding in plain sight

If you shop at IKEA and you skip the As-Is section, you’re doing it wrong. As-Is is where returned items and slightly imperfect pieces go to live at lower prices.

I went straight there and found the exact kind of thing that can make a room feel finished: A big rug.

It was IKEA’s HOTELLRUM rug, high pile, blue-green and white, seven feet 10 inches by nine feet 10 inches. I paid $200 instead of the original $350, which is $150 in savings with no coupon needed.

Here’s the catch with As-Is. You have to look closely, especially with rugs. Mine had a small gray stain, but it didn’t look set in, so I gambled and borrowed fabric cleaner from the most reliable supply closet I know, my parents’ house. It came out in under 10 minutes.

Points are nice, but the real perk is flexibility

Before I even started shopping, I could see a few different ways to use what I’d already earned from past purchases, like a free frozen treat in the store, a $5 reward for the restaurant, bistro, or packaged food, or $5 off my order. I went with the $5 discount because I was in full “buy the un-fun essentials” mode.

That trip did what I needed it to do. I knocked out kitchen supplies, silverware, a few small bathroom items, and a bookcase. Nothing exciting on its own, but not cheap once it’s all in your cart. And even though I haven’t made another IKEA run yet, I walked out with more points than I came in with.

Now my next set of rewards looks better, like $10 off my next purchase, $10 off delivery, or a free entree. I’m trying to be responsible, but the meatballs are making a strong case.

Walmart flash deals saved me from overpaying for a hunk of metal

Next up was the living room setup. I checked Walmart flash deals, which typically advertise savings of up to 65% off.

What I needed was specific: A wall mount that fit my TV and didn’t look flimsy.

In that section, I found the MountFTV Full Motion Articulating TV Wall Mount Swivel Tilting Bracket for about $28. It was normally priced at $50, which put roughly $22 back in my pocket.

This is where I get opinionated. A TV mount is not the place to “go cheap” if the reviews are sketchy. But it’s also not something you need to pay a premium for if you’re buying from a brand with solid specs and it fits your setup. This deal hit the sweet spot.

Then I bought the thing that makes an empty apartment feel like home

After the TV mount, it was time for my first real night in the new place. I turned on my smart TV and saw I had the Peacock app, but no active subscription.

So I did what I always do. I checked with my coworker Kate, who manages our Peacock TV page, and she let me know about the best available offers.

I scored a deal for 30% savings on a Peacock and Apple TV bundle compared to buying them separately. I went with the bundle that cost $15 a month.

I’m using Apple TV to finally watch shows I’ve been eyeing forever, like “Pluribus” and “Severance.” Yes, I’m late, but that’s fine. It’s prime time to catch up when you can watch in your own living room, and nobody’s fighting you for the remote.

And on Peacock, I’ve got “Poker Face,” “Bel-Air,” and “The Traitors” lined up. This wasn’t a “need.” It was a morale purchase. Those matter when you’re starting over in a new space.

I caught my last deal sitting on my couch, with no groceries in the fridge

I found my couch on Facebook Marketplace. That’s the real budget move, if you’re careful. But once it was in place, I realized my fridge was basically empty.

I know there are always DoorDash coupons on our page, so I checked and saw a deal from The Fresh Market. It was for $10 off a $60-plus order.

So I ordered what an empty-fridge adult orders on night one: frozen pizza, a couple of sodas, and enough “healthy” items to feel like I tried. The win here was simple. I saved $10, didn’t have to leave the apartment, and ate dinner while watching a few episodes. 

That’s my whole philosophy with deals, honestly. Save money where it’s easy. Spend where you actually care. And get your living room set up so life feels normal again.