12 Everyday Things You Should Always Buy Secondhand When You Can
Are you a thrifter or looking for ways to save money with secondhand purchase swaps? I got you! I love garage sales and thrift stores, and these are several items that you should never buy new when you can help it!
1. Books
Books are great buys at secondhand stores, especially hardback steals! Depending on what secondhand book or thrift shop you’re in, you will find books from one to three dollars in excellent condition.
2. Media
Thrift stores and pawn shops are fabulous places to find DVDs and CDs to add to your movie and music collections. Walmart has five-dollar bins, but that will get you the Blu-ray copy secondhand. Most places sell media for a couple of bucks.
3. Wooden Furniture
Wood furniture is an absolute steal at secondhand stores compared to brand-new furniture. Sometimes, you may need to buff and refinish pieces, but it’s well worth it versus paying obscene prices for new wood or, worse, pressboard alternatives.
4. Glass Cook and Bakeware
Thrift stores have glass cooking and bakeware finds that will save you a small fortune on your kitchen needs. Sometimes, you may get lucky and find vintage glassware worth money.
5. Maternity Clothes
Maternity clothes are costly, especially for something you’ll only be wearing for a few months. Thrift stores are a wonderful place to find your maternity wardrobe. Also, many baby consignment shops have a used maternity clothing section with great finds.
6. Children’s Clothing
Speaking of — babies and children grow out of their clothing and shoes so quickly that it doesn’t make sense to buy anything brand new. You’ll save hundreds of dollars if you shop at consignment shops instead.
7. Exercise Equipment
Wait about three to six months after the annual “New Year, New Me” to wear off, and you’ll find bargains on rarely used or even brand-new exercise equipment. Facebook Marketplace is one of my favorite places to shop for secondhand items like this.
8. Tools
They don’t make them like they used to, so of course, tools are better secondhand. I get a good majority of my tools from garage sales. Many older tools are of better quality and are for a small fraction of the price.
9. Medical Equipment
Anything medical-related within reason. For example, items such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, and portable toilets are extremely expensive and typically only used for short periods of time.
10. Pets
You should always rescue your animals from shelters instead of buying them from breeders. Shelters are overpopulated with animals who have been dumped, need homes, and are in danger of being euthanized if they don’t find one. Your pet adoption is literally saving a life.
11. Musical Instruments
You can find a good-quality instrument for a couple of hundred dollars less by buying a used one. The internet is packed with instruments people wanted to learn, got frustrated with, and never touched again. Know what to look for regarding flaws, and you’ll save hundreds.
12. Halloween Costumes
Halloween costumes, especially for children, are often worn once and then donated. Why pay exorbitant amounts of money for new ones when you can find new ones at thrift stores and consignment shops? Facebook Marketplace is another great place for finding gently-used Halloween costumes.
Read More: 18 Things You Should Absolutely Never Buy Secondhand (And Why)
Popping tags at the thrift store and garage sale hunting are activities I’ve enjoyed indulging in over the years. However, there are plenty of items that you should never buy secondhand. Here are some top offenders and why you should opt for brand-new options on these items.
18 Things You Should Absolutely Never Buy Secondhand (And Why)
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Elizabeth Ervin helps people embrace a change in money mindset to achieve their financial goals. After struggling for a decade as a single mother, consumed by the American debt cycle, she recognizes the value of financial education and lifestyle changes and aspires to motivate others to make those changes to obtain financial freedom. She heavily advocates for praying about and over your finances and speaking positive money affirmations to manifest abundance.
