Buying used instead of new is most often associated with saving money. If you can save hundreds by buying a used car, who cares if it has a few small dings or a little extra mileage? If you find the perfect jacket for your ensemble at a thrift shop even if it’s a little worn, why would you pay a whole lot more for new? Additionally, there are any number of purchases where buying used means getting a better quality product. Need examples? Here is just a sampling:
Tools
Arrive early at any garage sale or flea market, and you’ll find that those with older tools for sale tend to sell out fast. Too many of today’s modern tools are made with cheaper plastic handles or components that snap and break easily. You’ll find older tools are made of heavier duty iron or steel, which is why they last forever. When shopping online or at private sales, look for brands from reliable makers like Craftsman, Black and Decker and Stanley. Many of these manufacturers sold their tools with a lifetime warranty, which means when you buy used, the original purchaser has already taken care of that expense for you.
Baby clothes
Babies grow fast. That’s really all you need to know when thinking about buying baby clothes for your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy or for your little one at home. If you’re fortunate to have had a baby shower that netted you a pile of infant clothing, get your use out of it quickly, because your baby will outgrow it faster than you think, and you’ll have to set it aside for a future infant, or pass it on to someone else. Thrift shops, church bazaars, and family and friends with older toddlers are better resources for gently used baby clothing. Don’t forget. You’ll have plenty of added expenses with your new addition. Clothes don’t have to be one of them.
Classic children’s toys and games
Yesterdays toys and games were often constructed of wood and heavy-duty steel. In comparison, their modern day counterparts are more often lighter and made of plastic. Even the plastic molding of yesteryear was heavier. Take, for example, Rock’em Sock’em Robots. If you loved that classic toy as a child and bought it for your kids today, you may be surprised to find the modern version is much smaller and less durably made. There’s a strong online market for vintage toys, so this is one example where you will likely pay more for a used item. Chances are good, however, you’ll get something that lasts much longer.
Books
Patience is the key here. You may be anxiously awaiting the latest John Grisham novel, but what do you do with it after you’ve read it? You can save a lot of money simply by practicing a little patience and waiting for a popular book to show up in circulation at library book sales, holiday bazaars, and tag sales where you can always expect to pay a fraction of the cost of buying new. And if you don’t need to own the book at all, your local library can be a great resource.
