You need a new dining room set or a new couch but can’t afford the luxury of retail. Where do you shop, and how do you know if you’re getting a good deal?

Fortunately, there are many options for purchasing furniture and during the summer the options expand even more. Take a look at these ideas:

• You’ve heard all about garage sales, but what about estate sales? Get the classy furniture here, and don’t forget that some of these sales will be auctions. If this is the case, have the money in mind that you’d like to spend on a specific item. If you see it at an auction, stick to your guns and only spend the money you planned on.
• Try some consignment shops. Consignment shops rarely take in junk; rather their sole purpose is to find quality items that look practically new.
• Check your newspaper ads. Check online. Often, folks don’t want to bother with a garage sale, and this is good news for you because you can go down the list of ads and call the ads where your specific item is mentioned.
• If you travel to garage sales, go early. The best deals are usually found in the early morning hours before things are picked over. On the other hand, a couch that you saw in the morning that hasn’t been purchased when the sale is at its close, may mean an even better buy for you.

Wherever you buy, make sure the item is solid and that it doesn’t need a lot of repair—unless that is what you’re in the market for.  Purchasing a book on furniture and what you should expect from a particular piece is always a good idea.