In this video, I’m taking you along with me to three different secondhand shopping experiences—an estate sale in a 1970s home, a few garage sales, and Goodwill—to show you how I piece together a home I love without spending a fortune. I walk you through my real-time thought process: how I spot the good stuff, what I skip (and why), and what’s actually worth bringing home when you’re decorating on a tiny budget. It’s not about grabbing the trendiest thing for a dollar—it’s about choosing intentionally and building a curated look over time. I share the categories I always browse because they’re consistently useful: office areas for functional finds, garages for tools and organization, and thrift stores for quality materials like stoneware, milk glass, and cast iron. You’ll see me pass on items that don’t add functional value (even if they’re cute), avoid overpriced “resale value” garage sale pricing, and prioritize pieces that are versatile, durable, and even resellable—like my $5 solid brass duck, floral frogs, handmade ceramics, and mix-and-match vintage bowls. By the end, I show my haul and remind you that starting small with basics + styling slowly is the most realistic, budget-friendly way to make your home feel designed and personal—especially as a renter.