.jpg "By Pierce, C.C. (Charles C.), [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons")
Furnishing your dorm room/apartment
When you are on a budget, especially when you are only here for a year or so, it is definitely worth while looking into different FB groups where fellow students sell or exchange everything from furniture, clothing to household items. Good groups to look at include HLS market (other students selling or exchanging their stuff), MIT European Club Marketplace, Harvard Grad Market, Free and For Sale, GSD Housing and Harvard Housing.
Interesting options including buying from Harvard Habitat for Humanity (used stuff from Harvard students), and trying free furniture at Harvard Surplus Center.
The last low-budget option is of course Craig’s List. You never know what you might find there…