The Iconoclast Investor

We’ve known for months now that people have been cutting back on buying things and spending money as the U.S. economy has weakened. And this was even before the roller coaster ride that was September. Doing more with what you have or what you can actually afford has led many people to get creative in their homes. Some have even started thinking like the one group that has always been particularly resourceful–students.

College students and recent graduates often get very creative when furnishing and decorating their apartments out of pure necessity. Most don’t have much money left over after paying tuition and others bills, so their apartments are often resourceful displays of how to maximize the space and available materials.

More and more nonstudents are now following this trend, as evidenced by a New York Times article today. From using found objects, such as tables and wood, as furniture to making a bed frame out of honey comb cardboard, many people are getting creative to save money while it’s tight. I don’t think I’d put plastic trays on the wall for a decoration as one enterprising person did, but I do think the idea of doing more with what you have and can actually afford is something to keep in mind when decorating and furnishing a home.

What have you done to change your spending habits this year?