Regarding furniture costs. In Canada the statement that "you get what you pay for" is very true. Inexpensive furniture, new from a retailer, is likely to be of low construction quality and may not last. Consider your long term investment when buying, and take a very good look at what you are buying. We were in the same situation when we first arrived here and noted how bad some of the products were.
If you are amenable, you might want to look at older, better constructed, second-hand furniture from some of the relevant stores.
If you are amenable, you might want to look at older, better constructed, second-hand furniture from some of the relevant stores.