Heck, the first move, when you don't have any stuff, is the nice and easy one. It's the next move that's hard.

Why would you think you were being selfish, might I ask? Your Dad offered you the chest, so take him at face value and do what you want with it. It's all you can do to avoid parental mind games.

Since I've had to temporarily relocate, I've found plenty of ways to get cheap stuff. Salvation Army and thrift stores as other posters have said...also keep an eye out for bazaars and garage sales.

I got a nice old TV for 10 bucks, then got a DVD/VCR player from the curb that someone was throwing out. Even had free cable for a while as the guy who moved out of my place never cancelled his service...then it got cut, but it was fun while it lasted.