10 Things You Should Buy Second-Hand

Over the years, thrift shopping has become a way of life for me! Most everything I buy is second-hand. Once I started buying second-hand, I couldn’t bring myself to buy things at retail prices. When it comes to clothing, I buy everything second-hand except panties, bras, and socks. I also shop thrift for household items. For me, it’s about saving money but it’s also about the excitement of a “good” find!

There are so many options for buying second-hand. You can buy online locally through Facebook buy sell trade sites (BST) or Craig’s List. There are also online options like eBay and thredUP. If you prefer to shop a store, you can visit a local thrift store like the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Most communities also have smaller resale shops or consignment shops. Of course, garage sales are another option.

In my opinion, there are some items that are best bought second-hand. Below is my list of 10 things you should buy second-hand:

1. Kids Clothing – Children grow out of their clothes quickly! So fast that most clothes don’t have time to get well-used, in fact, some clothes may not even get worn (especially infant clothes). This means you can find good quality clothing at a very low-cost at thrift stores, resale shops, and garage sales,
2. Maternity Clothing – Maternity clothing is usually in good condition because pregnant women change sizes quickly. Also, many women choose to donate their clothing after one pregnancy.
3. Designer Label Clothing – People who donate clothing normally donate it all! This means that designer labels can be found second-hand at a fraction of the cost.
4. Special Occasion Clothing – Formal wear is normally worn just once or twice to special events. Also, people usually take really good care of it. Second-hand formal wear can be found at resale shops, thrift stores, garage sales, and BST sites.
5. Books – Nowadays there are so many ways to get second-hand books. One of the best ways to purchase books for cheap is by looking at resale stores, garage sales, and buy sell trade sites. It’s common to find popular books for $0.25-$1.00 on BST sites. Also, thrift stores such as the Salvation Army offer books at 10 for $1.00 and sometimes 20 for $1.00.
6. DVDs and CDs – People buy new releases then tire of them quickly. Sometimes they are used or watched just once then donated or sold for a fraction of the cost. You can find both these items online at BST sites and Ebay. You can also find them at garage sales, thrift stores, and resale shops.
7. Tools– Simple tools like hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers may get scratched up and dirty, but they still work just fine. Look for these second-hand at garage sales, estate sales, resale, and thrift shops to save yourself money. If an item as a special battery or motor, you might think twice before purchasing second-hand.
8. Musical Instruments – These can be very costly in they are brand new. You can find a top-quality used instrument for a fraction of the cost. Often times, children take on instruments for a year or two at a time, which means secondhand instruments are still in great condition. Sometimes you can find refurbished instruments too. Check online sites such as BST sites, Craig’s List, and eBay. You can also shop music stores, thrift stores, and resale shops.
9. Dishware – Dishware doesn’t usually go bad, rather people decide they need a change or they get married and get new stuff. The only dishes I would be hesitant about buying second-hand are pots and pans because they tend to wear out or the finish wears off.
10. Baby Gear/Toys – Baby gear and toys typically aren’t used much because babies outgrow things quickly. Some items may not even be used because the infant has too much or it was an unwanted gift. Be very cautious about buying second-hand car seats and cribs for safety reasons.

What about you? Do you shop second-hand? What would you add to this list?

Fun while thrifting with friends!