Classroom on a Budget: Facebook Marketplace Haul!

I think I am with a lot of other teachers when I say that my classroom is like a second home for me. I want it to be functional, comfortable, and well, pretty. Because I like pretty decor items... and colored coordinated items if at all possible!

But creating your special classroom environment doesn't need to cost you an arm and a leg. It also doesn't mean you need to be a DIY expert, which I certainly am not.

This summer I made it my mission to find items for my classroom WITHOUT breaking the bank. I gave myself a $50 budget and went to see what I could get.

SPOILER ALERT: I am UNDER BUDGET and got WAY MORE than I bargained for!

(Side Note: I am HORRIBLE at haggling, and find it extremely uncomfortable. So all the prices listed below were the listed price on FB, with no haggling or additional discounts.)

What I Got:

#1: Coffee Table, Side Table, Entry Table Set (FREE!) **The one is my greatest find!

#2: Globe ($10) **I was originally planning on asking my school to purchase me a globe since I teach essentially World History. However, when I saw this globe and the black base to it (they are usually a brown or bronze color) and the price I just knew I had to snag it!

#3: Black Bookcase (FREE!) **This was much smaller than I expected, but it is in great shape and I actually think it would go great behind my teacher table for holding curriculum (instead of being a library bookshelf as I originally planned)

#4: Posters/Classroom Decor Items (FREE!) **I got these from a retiring teacher in my area. I only plan on keeping some of these (the ones on the left) and donating the rest to my school for any teachers who need them, since many are not in my subject area

#5: Cardboard Mailboxes ($12) **This came, again, from a retiring teacher and is already numbered! But I might decide to spray paint it black, we will see.

#6: Books, Books, and More Books ($4) **The 4 on the left I paid for (from a retiring teacher), the rest (and many that are not pictured) were free from a homeschool mom

#7: Literature Shelf Display ($10) **I plan on spray painting this black, to match the rest of the decor items and the future bookshelves I plan to buy

#8: Kitchen Island ($10) **This one might seem a little weird to some. I plan on using it either to hold my laptop at the front of the room for presentations or to hold our library laptop in the back of the room and free up some space on the top of our bookshelves.

TOTAL SPENT: $48.00

(Thank you to my "model" Allison for the toddler size comparison.)

How Did I Do It:

• First thing, I went onto Facebook and joined all the Free Item groups in my area. I still have a family so I can't be driving all over kingdom come for just a good deal, so I just joined groups within my town.

• I also joined Free, Buy, Trade groups in my area. But the free items and items under $20 would be my main target.

• I made a list of items I would focus on searching for: bookcases, coffee table, globe, and books.

• It's easy to accumulate a bunch of free "junk," so try to focus on what you think will be the most beneficial and functional for your classroom. Don't get an item and make your classroom fit it, find items that fit your classroom's needs.

• I checked every day for new items to be listed. Good items don't stay up long in these groups, so keeping up with what is newly posted is important.

• I also kept an eye out for retiring teacher posts. There were quite a few around June/July. It makes sense because that is about the time the school year has ended for most districts and teachers would be doing their final classroom cleanout.

• I was extremely polite to the FB sellers. Writing a polite message asking if items are still available can go a LONG way. You might also want to mention how you plan on using the item in your classroom. People want to know you will appreciate the item you are picking up, while also appreciating what the seller is doing for you. **For example: I got a free rocking chair last summer from a family who I went to pick up from. It was listed for $25 and I had the cash in hand ready to purchase it. Upon me telling them how I was so excited because it was for my classroom library area and I thought the rocking chair would really encourage some of my less-than-enthusiastic readers to relax and take comfort in the area I was creating for them the seller said it was mine for free! They were just as excited then, as I was, to give a gift to my students!**

WARNING: irritability of spouses/partners/roommates likely to occur from what they see as potential hoarding. Haters gonna hate. LOL.

In a nutshell: set a budget, make a list, check your FB groups every day, be kind/polite, and mention how you plan to appreciate and use the item to the seller. You never know where it might go!

I hope this post helps you in creating your ideal classroom environment! May the odds be in your favor in your own Facebook Marketplace exploration!

All the Best,

Emily

PS- Please be safe when meeting sellers on Facebook Marketplace, or any other in-person meet-up for online sellers. We have all heard the horror stories. Be safe out there, and listen to your inner voice if you feel that you aren't safe. It's not worth the item/deal for your safety! Ok, mom/big sister rant over. :)