While shopping can be fun, buying brand new isn’t always cost-effective or budget-friendly. The next time you’re looking to make a purchase, consider buying used items to save some cash, or think about renting or borrowing when you can. Check out some of the most common items that are bought secondhand:
1. Cars. There’s often not much difference between a brand new car and one that is a few years old, so why pay thousands of dollars more for one? Use Kelley Blue Book to find out what a used car is really worth, and then shop around to see where you can find the best price. Be sure to do your research to make sure you’re making a reliable purchase – invest in a car that you can depend on to get you where you need to go and not something you’ll need to continually repair.
2. Clothing. Instead of buying a brand new dress for that wedding you have coming up, borrow one from a friend or your sister. You can also check out your local thrift store for some more vintage finds.
3. Furniture. I love hunting for used furniture! Not only does it usually have more character, but I love that I can alter or refinish it to fit what I’m looking for. Look past quirky colors and minor dents or scratches and you could find yourself a diamond in the rough.
4. Baby items. While you’re better off getting some things brand new for safety purposes (think things like cribs and car seats), many gently used clothes, toys or accessories will work just fine. Kids grow fast and they can be messy, so don’t waste money on expensive items that will be outgrown quickly or ruined by spilled sippy cups.
5. Books or magazines. You can get barely used books from Amazon (in most cases, I’ve ended up paying more for shipping than the actual book itself), or the discount bins in most book stores. Check titles out from your local library to save even more!
6. Wedding items. Most brides are looking to unload unnecessary wedding accessories after their big day – things like centerpieces, candles, silk flowers, table linens, etc. Most of these things can be reused, and many brides are willing to part ways with these things for cheaper than it would be to purchase them new. And what’s the point of buying new if you plan on getting rid of them afterwards anyway? I even sold my wedding dress because I didn’t have room for clutter. Check out specialty sites like Tradesy that offer places for brides-to-be to peruse what others have to offer.
7. Designer accessories. I can’t justify spending retail value on designer items – bags, sunglasses, and jewelry that I’ll probably get sick of within a few months (although Coach tempts me with their daily factory sale emails). I do occasionally save up for a good sale that fits within my budget, but after a few years, I tend to end up with unused items clogging my closet. I’ve sold a ton of handbags on Craigslist for up to half of what I paid for them, so I know deals are out there! You can also check out sites like Poshmark where you can find others looking to sell name-brand labels.
What are your some of your favorite secondhand finds?
