I have been in search of a bed for the last week, sleeping on the couch in the meantime, and was tempted to buy new at some points in the process. However, I am glad to report that I was able to take care of all my needs through reuse. I saved substantial resources (money in my pocket) and have a beautiful new addition to my home to boot. Since time as well as money factors in the true cost of reuse, I have given a full account of both expense types for this adventure in reuse.

Time

I spent a total of approximately 10 hours shopping online and in person (includes public transit time) at used shops and homes since last Saturday. Using the same rate as previously referenced below ($14/hour), the total investment in time is $140.

Materials

The bed was listed on www.craigslist.org and located at 19^th Ave at Rivera in SF. It took four buses to get there and back to see/try it, and a total transit time of almost two hours, but the bed was in excellent condition and just right for my needs. The woman would not negotiate on the price when pressed, but agreed to include all the bed linens (almost two complete sheet sets, the mattress pad, and a down mattress cover), the frame, and delivery to my apartment for a total of $200. A refurbished bed at National Liquidators was available for $175, but delivery would be $50 and it was not nearly as comfortable, so $200 was cheaper than my next best reuse option. I decided to take it, as I did not want to sleep on the couch another week!

The cover was purchased for $15 at National Liquidators, and helps the bed seem more a seating area than a bed.

The two large pillow cases were purchased at Goodwill on Geary for $2.49, and stuffed with extra pillows that both I and a friend had. The three small pillows were purchased at Out of the Closet on Polk for $3.99 each.

Therefore, my new, used full size bed with a metal frame and full décor comes to a grand total of $361.48 ($221.48 in out-of-pocket cost). If I had purchased everything new, my out-of-pocket cost would have been approximately $1,378.00* plus tax. So, I saved approximately $1,156 through reuse. Not a bad looking bed for that price, no? Plus, I slept the entire night through the first night. Yes!

I also found a nice little used chair at the Goodwill yesterday for $5.99. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore, with the nice spindle legs connected all the way around. Very comfy too. Super high quality for a super low price. Buy used. Why would you ever need to buy anything new?

In the next post, we will examine just how little trash one person generates through true practice of reuse, recycling and composting. I think you will be pleasantly amazed at the true potential and opportunity of zero waste. We are not quite there yet, but we can get very close.

*Estimated cost if everything was purchased new:

Time to shop (estimated to be about the same)

Bed - $1018 (according to label on mattress)

Delivery - $50

Frame - $40

Linens – approximately $30 per set (total $60)

Mattress Pad - $15

King size cover - $150

Pillows - $15 each (total $45)

Total if everything purchased new: $1,378.00