You have just signed the lease on your first apartment and you can't wait to move in. However, your excitement is curtailed and quickly turns to nervousness when you start thinking about all of the expenses that come along with your new digs. The money you need for rent and utilities doesn't leave much in your budget for furnishings, but you don't want to sit on milk crates and eat on top of cardboard boxes.

Stop fretting. With a frugal mindset, you can furnish your first apartment, making it look great and feel like home.

Check out Classified Websites

The Internet has made it easier to do so many things, including furnishing your first apartment for cheap.

There are dozens of classified sites that you can access and use as a tool for finding inexpensive furnishings. People often put gently used home décor items up for sale on these sites, which means that you could score a great couch, a futon or a dining room table for a fraction of the price of a brand new item.

Thrift Shops

You have to be thrifty to save money, and a thrift shop just begs you to be thrifty; the name is right in the title!

Check out the thrift shops in your local area. You may be surprised by some pretty awesome items for sale at prices that are very budget-friendly. In addition to finding items for a great price, you could also find furnishings that are one-of-a-kind, making your apartment look super chic.

Ask Friends and Family

Ask your friends and family members that own or rent apartments or houses. There is a good chance that they are looking to get rid of some of their furniture. If your parents are getting a new couch, for example, you could ask them if you could take their old one off their hands.

Take a Walk Around Your Neighborhood

Another frugal way to shop for furniture is by checking out the curbs in your neighborhood. No kidding. You might be able to find some dressers, lamps and chairs that someone is getting rid of. With a little sprucing up, you could transform those items into beautiful furnishings – for free!

Outfitting your first apartment doesn't have to be an expensive task. By using these three shopping methods, you can easily score some great pieces of furniture that will transform your new pad into a warm and welcoming abode.  You may even save enough money on some pieces of furniture that you can afford to get a couple of nice, new pieces from a store like Creative Furniture Outlet.