Score!

Since I'm in the middle of a long day of cleaning and painting, this will be a quick post just to share a recent purchase.

Last Friday, on craigslist, I found this incredibly beautiful marble-topped dresser for $200:

Now, I will admit that maybe this wasn't the deal of the century.  If I had gotten it for $25, maybe I could say that.  But at $200, it was easily at least 50 - 75% off what it would have cost new.

And let me point out what I love about it - this thing is solid!  Its all real wood, it's really big and spacious, and it has one of my favorite things in the world - a marble top.  I love marble-topped furniture because not only is it beautiful, but it's so practical.  It can take a hot cup of coffee, a frosty glass or a water spill and it's probably going to be just fine, unlike a wood-topped table.

As far as I'm concerned it's perfect - for my own house as well as a rental.

Funny thing: my husband and son couldn't wait for me to smell it.  I have no idea what the people we bought it from had been storing in it, but it smells amazing.  I wish I could have been there to ask and learn their secret.  This is usually the opposite of what people expect to find when they buy something used, no?

Anyway, the whole point of this blog is to demonstrate that beauty can be achieved and life can be enjoyed for much less than what many people think.

I have been reminded that I need to show some budgeting accountability, and I know that the day of reckoning is coming.  To be honest, I feel quite sure I've surpassed my $5000 limit by now.  However, I know if I've surpassed it, it won't be by a lot.