Modern consumers are bombarded with fast fashion and items designed for short lifespans or intentional obsolescence. While new things may be beautifully packaged and shiny, ask whether they’re worth the financial and environmental consequences. Here are 18 things you should always buy used—they’re cheaper, better, and more eco-friendly.
Children’s Clothes
Honestly, even adults should consider high-quality, secondhand clothes, but they make even more sense for children, who grow rapidly and don’t exactly take care of their clothes. Faircado says, “You can always find high-quality pieces for a fraction of the price of buying new ones.” Your children won’t notice, and you’ll save money while also helping the environment.
Books
Books are meant to be enjoyed and shared, and a well-loved book is no less enjoyable to read, providing it has all its pages and is readable! Plus, a book that’s been read by several people is probably going to be a good read, and you can find any genre in thrift stores and secondhand book shops. Think of all the trees you’ll be saving by enjoying books that might otherwise end up in landfill.
Cars
Lending Tree says, “a brand new car usually drops about 20% in value after one year” and is worth only 60% of its price tag after five years, even if you maintain it properly. This makes used cars a smart choice that can save you thousands of dollars. Just make sure you do your research on reliable models beforehand and get a pre-purchase inspection before committing.
Furniture
Good-quality furniture is expensive, yet it lasts a long time, making it the perfect thing to buy used. Who knows what unusual pieces and unique designs you’ll find at the local thrift store or on Craigslist! Choosing secondhand is especially recommended if you like more traditional or vintage pieces—you can even restore older or more worn items with a little effort and know-how.
Appliances
Appliances can be a significant investment, yet there are many used ones available at secondhand appliance stores or online platforms. Make sure you check that they are safe and functioning before buying. You can also look out for ‘scratch-and-dent’ models at appliance stores, which may have cosmetic damage but are fully working and may still be covered by a warranty.
Baby Gear
According to American Heritage, new parents in the U.S. spend around $13,000 in the first year of their child’s life, not including birth expenses.” The vast majority of that goes on things like prams, cots, carriers, and bouncers, yet these items can easily be sourced secondhand, often in barely used condition. You can sanitize them if you wish and wash any removable covers.
Tools
Unless you’re a professional contractor who uses tools daily, buying a new set for occasional DIY projects is overkill and comes at great expense. Flea markets, garage sales, and online marketplaces offer a wide variety of tools that are used in good condition, although you may have to hunt around for rarer ones. Don’t be put off by cosmetic conditions; just ensure they work and are free from excessive rust.
Personal Electronics
The world of electronics is constantly evolving, which means that barely used examples of last year’s models are readily available when people upgrade. You don’t need the latest technology or the shiniest screen, so gently used smartphones, laptops, and tablets are a great choice—especially those from trusted manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, and Apple.
Outdoor Gear
Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities often require specialized gear, like tents, hiking poles, sleeping bags, backpacks, and all-terrain footwear. REI warns that the costs can quickly escalate if you buy new, but buying secondhand is cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Look for reputable consignment shops or online marketplaces aimed at outdoor enthusiasts.
Bicycles
Bicycles are a fantastic way to stay healthy and get around, but they quickly become scratched and dirty, so buying a pristine one seems pointless. New bikes can be expensive, especially high-end models, yet used bikes from a reputable source are often just as good, especially if they’ve been well maintained. Look for bikes that have been serviced regularly and are in good working order.
Video Games and Consoles
The gaming industry thrives on new releases, but last year’s games and consoles are often excellent gaming machines. Before you buy the latest game at full price, check out used game stores or online marketplaces, and always consider buying the second oldest console when a new model is released—you can often find perfectly working examples for a bargain price.
Sporting Equipment
Safety equipment like helmets should always be bought new, but other sports equipment is safe to buy secondhand and can be exceptionally expensive from new. Many people buy sports gear that they don’t end up using much, and you can find used equipment in fantastic condition at a fraction of the original cost. Just check it properly for damage or defects beforehand.
Jewelry
Most high-quality jewelry is built to last and rarely shows signs of wear or age, so buying used is a great thing. Pre-owned jewelry stores and online marketplaces offer a treasure trove of unique pieces at affordable prices, but we recommend checking the markings and authenticity before buying. You’ll find you can afford much higher-quality items than if you bought new.
Cookware
Many people, especially recently married couples, end up with too many saucepans, baking trays, casserole dishes, and other useful cookware. If these items were surplus to requirements, they may have been very lightly used (if at all) and represent excellent value for money. Familiarize yourself with the most reputable, long-lasting brands and save yourself a fortune.
Textbooks
Textbooks are notoriously expensive and often only used for a single semester or course, so they remain in excellent condition. Renting textbooks is a budget-friendly option, but buying used ones offers even greater savings because you can resell the volume for almost the same price once you’ve used it. Check with your college bookstore for buyback programs, or ask students from last year’s class.
Building Materials
Not all building materials can be sourced secondhand, but it’s worth at least checking what’s available before stocking up on brand-new lumber, bricks, and flooring for a home DIY project. You might even find something unique and largely unavailable in commercial stores. Also, consider checking local salvage yards, especially if you need scrap metal.
Musical Instruments
Not everyone who starts playing an instrument continues to play, and many others upgrade from ‘beginner’ instruments to more expensive, refined examples. New instruments are costly, yet used ones are abundant and much cheaper. Many music stores offer used instruments that have been inspected and are in good playing condition—just be sure to try them out first!
Party Supplies and Decorations
Single-use items like themed banners, table cloths, table dressings, and centerpieces are typically only used once, then either thrown away or sold. If you can find appropriate secondhand decorations for a birthday, wedding, or other celebration, you’ll significantly cut down on the environmental impact and cost of buying yet more temporary decorations.
Up Next: 17 Behaviors That Make People Think Less of You
If you want to be accepted by those around you, you have to behave in certain ways. Obviously, you should still be yourself, but there are certain social ‘rules’ people should abide by, like avoiding these 17 behaviors that make people think less of you.
17 BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK LESS OF YOU
20 Signs Someone Is Only Pretending to Care
Whether it’s to avoid hurting your feelings or if it’s part of a more elaborate plan to deceive you for benefits, people pretend for many reasons. The main theme with them, though, is that their actions never match the sugar-coated words that come out of their mouths. So that you don’t fall for someone like this, we’ve compiled 20 signs for you to look out for.
20 SIGNS SOMEONE IS ONLY PRETENDING TO CARE
18 Items at Walmart that Aren’t Worth Your Hard-Earned Money
For many of us, Walmart is the go-to superstore. Whether we need groceries, clothing, or technology, Walmart is a one-stop shop for everything you would need. However, there are some Walmart products you should avoid at all costs, such as the following 18 examples.
18 ITEMS AT WALMART THAT AREN’T WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY