GingerV, I think you'll find it's amazing that you can do without a lot for a while. Heck, it's kind of fun to eat take-out sitting on the floor.

I'm a member of freecycle.org and people offer furniture almost every day. It's a good way to pick up things for free but I'm still in the college decorating stage (I've moved past milk crates but not by much).

Freecycle is a way for people to recycle and they can give away things to people who need/want items. There are mailing lists all over the States and Canada. I just picked up a toaster oven from another member.