Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

My family is constantly shifting posessions back and forth. It's become a way of life, and it's nice to give something a second home instead of it winding up in the trash.

When we bought our home, we wanted the stuff in it to be OURS though, you know? Picked out by us, to our own liking.

But tomorrow, I'm inheriting a plastic and glass patio set from my parents because they bought a new one and we don't want to spend that kind of $$$ in season. We will probably wind up spending a pretty penny when the time comes for us, because we're picky like that.

So we're back in the business of hand-me-downs. I don't mind, the set is cheesy but in good condition. And it fulfills a need for the time being!

Do you have a hand-me-down family? If you own a home now, do you accept hand-me-downs more or less than you used to?

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Sometimes we do but my grandparents....love them dearly BUT some of the stuff they give us is real crap!! like old Christmas decorations or broken tools. My DH takes them with a smile, we keep them in the garage for a bid, then we throw them away.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

When we were buying our house, I refused to take things from anyone but DH would fight me on it. One day I came home & found his aunt's dining set in my dining room (we didn't have the $$ to buy one at the time). I screamed & yelled but after some rationalizing, I knew it was temporary & at least we had room to have a big dinner. We did just that! Last year, we got rid of it & got our OWN dining set.

Then my parents moved, they were getting rid of their patio set. It was a redwood set my dad had since I was about 5! I asked DH if he wanted it & he did since again, we didn't have the $$ to get something classy of our own. Needless to say, it came in handy last summer & we are planning on repainting it this weekend & using it again.

For me, I don't mind the hand-me downs if I know that it is temporary or soemthing that is in REALLY good condition. With the cost of everything these days, it doesn't hurt to save someplace especially if others are willing to contribute

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

We still take hand-me-downs. We've been replacing the current 2nd hand stuff we have, but we'll still take other things. Why spend money, fill landfills, etc when you don't have to? Especially if it's in good condition.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Yes we do. We have a hand me down lawn mower. We had a hand me down patio set until we went out and bought a new one this year. Unfortunately with a wedding and buying a house we didn't have the money to go out and buy everything new. We got the most important things that we could afford.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Yes, most of what is in our house is hand me downs. Each year we decide to renovate one room and update it since we don't have the $$ to do it all at once.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Yes!!!

Most of our furniture was given to us. The only thing we bought was our bed and our living room furniture. All our dressers, DD's bedroom set and diningroom set were given to us.

I was happy to take the furniture, since we're just starting out it helps a lot. Also, most of the furniture is from my aunt's house. She passed away right before my wedding, so it's nice to have something from her (also it's old heavy wood furniture and it's in good condition).

Also, DH's sister gave us a lot of Christmas decorations which is good, since we didn't have any.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

I have in the past. If it's something we need and like, I'll accept it.

I purchassed dressers from 2nd hand stores which is basically the same thing, but with a price.

But if I can get it for free I would take it.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Definitely! Great way to recycle and save some money!

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Absolutely!!! First of all, it's re-using something. Secondly, it's free...and third...I can pass it along to someone else when I no longer need it. I have my limits.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

YES! I have no problem with it, if it's something we need, why not?

Besides clothes for my kids, I received a patio set from my SIL that we still use. She wanted a new one and I spray painted this one (wrought iron) and it's in great shape. My DD has my nieces old bedroom dresser in her room. She is 4 and my niece is 23. I refinished it - distressed and painted - and it looks great. many more things too... I've traded furniture with my brother too. He gave me a captains bed for my son and I gave him a box spring and bedframe..Definitely definitely! I don't know if I want anyone's mattress but otherwise yes.

Message edited 4/24/2008 9:19:31 AM.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Yes if its in good condition and we can use it. why not!

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

I give away to my friends my bags and clothes I dont wear anymore...

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Absolutely!

I have two reason for this; one - DH and I prefer not to purchase on credit (even 0% - you never know what could come up in those 2 years that you may have to pay immediately) we would rather wait and pay when we have the cash. My second reason is waste reduction, I think a lot of people are quick to throw things out because they want something new - in my opinion if something is in good condition or can be repaired why throw it away?

Our living room set isn't exactly my style but it's in great shape, same with our kitchen set. We will replace these things as it becomes necessary, but for now they serve us fine.

I feel better not having revolving debt and putting money into savings; we bought our house two years ago and have replaced the roof, gutters and oil tanks (as well as various small projects) all with cash on hand. On our salaries, we would not have been able to do that if we had furnished the house with all new furniture.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Absolutely we do!

We don't really have the money to buy a lot of new stuff - so whenever someone is giving something away we usually grab it!

My husband is pretty handy - so he can make a lot of beat up stuff look beautiful and different.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Pretty much all the furniture and appliances in my house are hand-me-down.
My mom calls it "early inheratance" style

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Yes, but only if I really like/need the item. I used to take things out of oblgation, but I'm more selective now. My mother gives a lot of things away to charity, so I don't feel bad about turning something down--she won't throw it out.

I don't need everything to be brand new either, as long as it's in good shape but a lot of the things I took, aren't big things like furniture. I recently inherited placemants from my mother, a barely used coffee grinder from my grandmother, costume jewellery from my aunt & vases from DH's grandmothers.

I also repainted an old dresser, because I really needed one & it was free!

Message edited 4/24/2008 10:28:14 AM.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

I have no problem with hand me downs. I also pass alot of stuff along too. I tend to get bored with furniture long before it wears out. I just recently gave away a dining set and a sectional couch (both less then 4 years old).

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

since we're renting and dont have that much $$ of our own, we gladly took some hand-me-down furniture from relatives for our 1st apt.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Well considering that I am using my grandmother's bedroom set and she has been gone for more than 40 years, I'd say yes. But then again, the furniture is timeless. When we buy a home, we will either offer it to someone else or donate it. It is in decent condition and MAYBE needs to be stripped and refinished.

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Posted by nov04libride

Posted by Theresa05

I give away to my friends my bags and clothes I dont wear anymore...

i'll be your friend!

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

if you are my size its yours..

I get a ton of free stuff at work, tee's and stuff and whatever I take home and don;t wear I bag up and give to my girls

My bff got like 4 marc jacobs bikinis this season she was thrilled....

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Why not. If its in good condition I dont see anything wrong with it. I love saving money!

Re: Do you still accept hand-me-downs?

Absolutely! Our bedroom set was my grandparent's set. It's a gorgeous 60 something year old mahagony bedroom set and I love it.

We bought our house four months before our wedding so we were pretty tapped out on funds so most of the furniture we have was given to us. Eventually we will replace it all but for the time being it works.

As for our current bedroom set, I know we won't use it forever and will get one of our own but I'm not sure that I will ever be able to get rid of it. I think we'll hold onto it and maybe keep if for our spare bedroom.