I like new things as much as the next person. But I also recognize that there are plenty of great reasons to buy used items. The two best reasons: It's good for the environment and good for your wallet!
There are plenty of places to find used goods on the cheap: thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, consignment shops, pawn shops, classified ads, online sites like craigslist, and kiiji, and ebay. And don't forget Freecycle, where you can get free stuff.
Fortunately there are plenty of things you can find used. Here's my list of top things to buy secondhand:
1) Furniture. Some of the best pieces of furniture I own were purchased from a secondhand shop. If it's survived one owner already, chances are it's built to last.
2) Books. You buy a book and read it once. Is that experience worth 16.95 or more??? If you simply must own books, pick them up at used book sales, garage sales, thrift stores or through a service like PaperBack Swap.
3) Holiday decor. I have many friends and relatives who go all out when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Keep your decorating costs down by checking out garage sales and thrift stores. You can find all kinds of cute linens, accessories and decorations to adorn your living space.
4) Kids clothing, toys and baby gear. Kids outgrow clothing so fast - sometimes they barely get to wear it before they're too big for it. Garage sales have the best prices, but check out your local consignment and thrift shops, too. When it comes to baby gear and toys - make sure everything is clean, in working order and has all the parts. Make sure the item hasn't been recalled, too!
5) Gag gifts. Some of the most memorable gifts are those that make the recipient laugh. watch for good joke gifts that will have your friends and family talking for awhile... but be careful what you buy - you just may get it back someday!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
5 Things to Buy Used
5 comments:
This is a great list, and I love your blog! Come check out mine, I just posted my first EVER giveaway! Come enter!
Hi
Good idea. I think that buying used goods makes so much sense. Especially kids clothes and toys. Below the age of 10 (at least) they probably won't care that it isn't new.
Great post! I'll just add that the quality of construction of old furniture can't be beat, and many high schools offer adult night classes in refinishing if a piece needs sprucing up. On the holiday decor, hubby picked up a box of those big, fat-bulb multicolored outdoor Christmas lights at a yard sale years ago for $1. We're still using them (and yes, we're careful about electrical stuff and wiring). Our family buys Christmas ornaments as vacation souvenirs--it's fun to relive those memories while decorating the tree.
We have had great luck with used furniture, but it leads me to mention a caveat. I will only buy wooden or metal furniture used. Upholstery gets SO nasty that I can't bring myself to get a used couch (or whatever)... I want some insurance that I won't be basking in someone else's icky fluids if I want to take a nap, you know?
Jerry
www.leads4insurance.com
This probably doesn't work for the most style-conscious, but I love buying clothes for myself at thrift stores. It takes some looking, but you can find good quality, brand name stuff for next to nothing. I particularly like the selection at Savers - better than any department store in terms of variety (though yes, it's not "this season's")
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