In today’s guest post my sweet friend Lauren of Penny for Your Dreams is bringing you 7 things to buy used to save money. Some of these items might surprise you!
7 THINGS TO BUY USED TO SAVE MONEY
Buying used instead of new is an incredibly effective way to save money!
If I were to add up just how much money we’ve saved over the years by buying secondhand, it would easily be in the thousands.
It’s enabled us to save far more toward our big goals and dreams—the things in life we’re really excited about!
Buying used has also taught me a lot about patience and delayed gratification.
Instead of hopping on Amazon as soon as I think of something I want to buy, I’ll add it to a running list on my phone. Then, when I’m out at thrift stores or garage sales, I’ll check the list and see what I can find.
Plus, when it comes to bargain hunting, the thrill of the chase is half the fun! And if you’re anything like me, you love sharing your amazing deals with family and friends.
While there are certain things you’ll want to buy new—like car seats and bed pillows—there are plenty of categories where buying used can save you big time.
So if you’re looking to save some money, here are 7 of the best things to buy used instead of new!
1. BOOKS
Once upon a time, I worked in my family’s book business.
We sold all kinds of used books, and I learned a valuable lesson that has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years: unless a book has only recently been released, you can probably find it deeply discounted on the used market.
That’s how we made our money, after all—buying cheap used books and reselling them for a profit!
Purchasing new books really adds up over time. You can easily save over 50% of the list price by frequenting eBay, used book sites, library sales, garage sales, thrift stores, and local book shops.
2. CLOTHING
Secondhand clothing can be purchased for pennies on the dollar!
Garage sales are typically the cheapest place to buy clothes, with thrift stores close behind.
I once bought a beautiful GAP jacket for just $4 and wore it for many years. I’ve also purchased adorable baby clothes and shoes in like new condition for $1 or less!
ThredUp and Poshmark are also great options for buying nice, used clothing.
You’ll likely pay a higher price tag on resale clothing sites like these, but you have the advantage of being able to search for specific brands, sizes, colors, and styles.
3. FURNITURE
Have you ever purchased new furniture and later tried to sell it? It’s a pretty disheartening experience.
Furniture drops in value very, very quickly—but that’s great news if you’re in the market! Buying used furniture can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
If you enjoy giving old furniture new life, you can save even more money.
It’s wise to be more selective when it comes to plush items like sofas and wingback chairs, but you can still find amazing deals with a little patience.
4. CARS
New vehicles begin dropping in value as soon as you drive them off the lot—possibly over 10% in the first month! In fact, most vehicles will only be worth 40% of what you paid for them in 5 years!
That’s why we choose to purchase our vehicles used. We look for cars that have been well-taken care of and come with good maintenance records.
Searching for a good used car can take some time, but considering how many thousands of dollars you’ll save, it’s well worth the effort.
5. BABY GEAR
During my first pregnancy, I did a lot of brand research, trying to discover which baby gear would work best for our family. Along the way, I was shocked by just how expensive baby products can be!
I learned that $600 strollers, $300 baby swings, and $400 high chairs actually exist! Whew.
Of course, you don’t need to spend nearly that much on your baby when buying new, but it proves a point: people want the best for their babies.
We all do, don’t we?
But babies don’t need expensive gear in order to be loved and cared for in the best way. They won’t know the difference between a secondhand bouncer and one you payed full-price for.
Plus, many baby items are used for such a short period of time—possibly just a few months.
I once bought a like new baby swing for $60 at a used children’s sale, and later resold it on OfferUp for the same price after my baby grew out of it!
That’s what I call a great deal.
6. DECOR
Home decor is easily found on the cheap—especially at garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores!
Look for well-made lamps, mirrors, vases, picture frames, seasonal decorations, and the like for the best savings.
You can often find nice decor pieces for just a few dollars each, which means that you can furnish your home beautifully on a budget.
7. PHONES
My brother owns a mobile device repair shop. He mainly fixes broken screens, but he also buys used phones his customers no longer need once they’ve upgraded to the latest and greatest.
He takes these preowned phones apart and cleans them up from the inside out, replacing any defective parts. In the end, the phones look great and work beautifully!
You can save hundreds of dollars by buying a refurbished phone—especially if you don’t “have to have” the latest model. Just make sure you buy a phone from a source you trust.
THINGS TO BUY USED TO SAVE MONEY
I hope this inspires you on your money-saving journey! There are so many awesome ways to buy second-hand—from mobile apps and websites, to garage sales and thrift shops.
Don’t be afraid of trying different avenues—you never know what crazy good deals you’ll find!
Related Posts about Saving Money:
- 15 Purchases that Save You Money
- Save Money on Organic Produce
- 11 Money Saving Laundry Room Essentials
Lauren is a Southern wife and mama who blogs over at Penny for Your Dreams about creating a beautiful life on a budget! She enjoys pursuing frugality through intentional living, and believes that life’s simple joys are the best.
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