It's one of homeownership's unfortunate side effects. You purchase a new home, and despite the fact that your bank account is suddenly much, much smaller that it used to be, the excitement of your new digs triggers short-term memory loss. Before you know it, you're browsing through furniture stores, flipping through home décor catalogs, and considering more large expenditures.

"But I need it," you say. "But it will look great in the living room." "But I need it." "But it's on sale." Excuses, excuses. It's tempting to spend money like a drunken sailor before the movers have even pulled away from the house (and by the way, have you remembered that you've got to pay those guys, too?) But it's probably not the best idea to jump into such purchases before getting a realistic sense of how a mortgage is going to affect your monthly spending power. And yet, at the same time, you don't have to swear off all purchases for the rest of your life or until you've hit the jackpot.

You've just got to learn to ease into your new home and prioritize. That's much, much easier said than done. A new home always makes us want to start fresh - all new furniture, curtains, rugs and accessories. Without digging yourself into more debt, you can make a few small purchases and improvements shortly after your arrival that will create a noticeable difference in your home.

Consider the following tips:

Published: August 31, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.