hello my name is elisabeth and I am addicted to second hand shopping

Seriously.

I have shopped through cgslist for many years and scored all kinds of deals.  I could do a whole post on our cgslist finds.  Yesterday, my husband completely indulged me.  I needed to get out of the house.  We drove 30 minutes to a 40,000 sq ft used furniture warehouse with the most amazing prices. 

Find #1: I found this adorable vintage desk set (and I was really just after the chair) for $20. 

I am in the process of doing some refinishing to what was a laminate top.  If I can convince my husband, that will be his bedside table. 

 As I said I was just after the chair. I originally got the idea from Restoration Hardware who lists this chair at $119.

  

And I found this guy on Etsy selling a similar set for 295!

Find #2, I was looking for a night stand and found this vintage desk for $15.  

Suddenly I think I have a thing for collecting vintage desks.  This is my fourth in a month!  I think I will refinish this one.  

I wanted to find some cute shutters to make a head board for our guest room.  This used furniture store had shutters in seriously used/weathered condition for $15 each.  I didn't love any of them.  On the way home we stopped at the ReStore.  Habitat for Humanity's resale outlet.  In love, again!

I found these shutter doors for $5.

I am not sure yet if I want to leave them vertical or turn them horizontal (cutting off the bottom).  The ReStore also had solid wood doors in the $20 range.  We totally need to replace our hollow core bedroom doors.  And we may be redoing our bathroom from the ReStore!

Tomorrow, if we have a few extra minutes, I am dying to check our our city's historical district.  They have a architectural salvage of building materials from older buildings.  While I understand second hand decorating may not be for everyone, I am so excited about it!  New does not work with our cash only debt-free plan.  Vintage and I are new BFFs.

Debt Freedom!!!

I am just blogging to share our wonderful news....we are debt free (except the house)!!!!!! This is HUGE for us as we have been struggling to overcome a significant chunk of consumer debt that we began our marriage with. For the first couple years of married life, I don't think we reduced our debt...just shifted it all around. Two years ago we were introduced to Dave Ramsey. We purchased his book on tape for around $25. This was some of the best money ever spent. It is SUCH a different philosophy and mindset to live this way. I have given up a salaried job with benefits to be a stay at home mom...and now, we are richer than we have ever been!! I am amazed that with the inspiration from Dave, we have come this far in just two years. While struggling with infertility, one thing I heard often "God has a plan." Of course, it was not our plan to be "well off" to have children. God, however, has ensured that all things come together for the good of those who love Him. On to Baby Step #3, a fully funded Emergency fund, to keep Murphy (Murphy's Law) out of our life.