If you want to save, you will want to buy used stuff. Heck, even if you just want to be frugal, there is no good reason to buy everything brand new. With most Americans swiping plastic to buy stuff they need and those they can perfectly live without, in most cases you get many good-as-new products second hand. Here are the product categories you should consider buying used…
1. Cars
You have probably heard that a new car loses a significant part of its value the second it was driven off a dealer’s lot. Nevertheless, people keep buying new cars like it’s nobody’s business. If you want to save and still own a great vehicle, get a car that’s two or three years old. Chances are it is as good as new.
A nice service to try when buying a used vehicle is CarGurus.com; it lets you put in your zip code and the make/model of the pre-owned vehicle you’re interested, after which you are presented with results. The site’s database has around 2 million listings so you will likely find a car that suits your needs.
Another website to check out is Carvana.com, which also lists a ton of used cars, while offering a 7-day no questions asked return policy. Pretty cool.
Related: Learn How to Inspect a Used Car
2. Gift cards
We are talking about gift cards people got as gifts and don’t want to use them. Or need an extra cash as soon as possible.
There is an entire market for these sort of products that, for instance, let you buy a $100 gift card for $80 or even less. That’s an instant savings of 20 percent.
GiftCardGranny.com is one of the places where you can buy these pre-owned gift cards, and as I’m writing this I see the following gift card deals:
- Amazon Gift Cards – up to 20.04% off
- iTunes Gift Cards – up to 10% off
- Starbucks Gift Cards – up to 16% off
- Wal-Mart Gift Cards – up to 4.02% off
- Kohl’s Gift Cards – up to 35% off
- Home Depot Gift Cards – up to 50.02% off
- Victoria’s Secret Gift Cards – up to 50.05% off
Pretty cool, right?
Also read: 7 Gift Card Hacks to Help You Save Money
3. Textbooks
The only time you should get a “new” textbook — or any other book for that matter — is when you get it electronically to read it on your Kindle or whichever ebook reader you happen to own.
Between multiple editions, textbook publishers seldom make any major changes. Whether it’s chemistry, physics, literature, poetry or any other subject, you can easily “get away” with an older edition of a textbook.
With that in mind, browse the internet, attend garage sales and other events where you can buy used textbooks. Check out eBay, Craigslist, school-related Facebook pages, and other sites where textbooks are sold. It’s worth the effort.
The alternative is to rent textbooks. You don’t have to look at shady places for this, with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and even several campus bookstores all offering textbook rentals. Along with savings of up to 80 percent! That’s a hard to beat number.
Also read: 7 Ways to Save Money on Textbooks
4. Tools, camping gear and ski equipment
We have decided to group these three as for all of them could be found used on Craigslist, eBay, as well as at local garage and yard sales.
Tools, camping gear and ski equipment are known as hot sale items on any garage sale, and in order to get them, go early before other buyers arrive. Or go online and see what you can find.
Also read: 12 Most Popular Garage Sale Items
5. Furniture
You will also be able to find furniture on yard/garage sales and on sites like Craigslist and eBay; but, you can also check consignment and antique stores if you are looking for something more specific.
Another service to try is AptDeco, which is specialized in buying and selling used furniture, offering flat rate deliveries starting at $35.
However, we do not suggest anyone to buy used mattresses. You’ll want to get those new.
6. Baby gear
I understand that many new parents don’t want to buy used stuff. With my first child, I was like that too. Things have changed dramatically with the second child who got many, many used stuff.
What I had to realize is that most baby stuff were never that much used in the first place. So we’ve ended up buying a pile of clothing, a baby swing and a feeding chair — all second hand. I wasn’t that lucky with a stroller as all I’ve looked were overused. So we’ve grabbed new ones, this time opting for the lightest model on the market (so we could carry it more easily). For what it counts, I used a coupon when buying that stroller.
You can search for used baby stuff at Craigslist, eBay and baby gear resale store across the country.
Also read: 5 Ways to Save Money During Baby’s First Year
7. Electronics, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and video games
There are any number of stores, both online and offline, selling used electronics, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and video games. You can start with Amazon and eBay… Also, check out Decluttr, which I used to sell my CD collection.
For electronics though, you may want to look for refurbished products. These sort of devices have been tested by the manufacturer and come with an actual warranty, as well as a lower price tag. Those can also be found on popular electronics retailers.
8. Clothing
Finally, there’s clothing, which I will admit to never buy used. A few friends of mine are doing it — and they love the savings — but I tend to shop at discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack and Ross, instead. Also, during the big sales I may even hit the department store so I guess that makes me guilty for not saving enough. In my defense, I buy clothes only 2-3 times a year.
If you want to buy used clothes, you can find them at thrift shops or online at sites like thredUP, Poshmark and Tradesy. These sites also let you sell your old clothes, BTW.
The selection at all of these places is better than ever, with Americans keeping to spend money like there’s no tomorrow. Whether you’re on a lookout for men’s, women’s or children’s clothing — you’ll be able to find it second hand. And the same goes for bags and even wedding attire…