9 Items to Never Buy New Again

Brand new items become used the minute you bring them home from the store.  So why not buy used and save money without sacrificing quality?  Buying used not only is a better deal for you but can be a better deal for the environment since it gives old items new life instead of being unnecessarily discarded. We did some research and found 10 items that can save you big if you buy used:

1. Cars

Cars depreciate 20-30 percent the second you drive them off of the lot. Instead of buying a brand new car, save money on initial cost and insurance by buying a well-maintained used car with low mileage.

2. Books

New books can be outrageously expensive. When you buy used, you save money and help prevent more books from being unnecessarily printed. Bonus: buy used from a local bookstore and you’ll support the local economy.

3. Sports and Exercise Equipment

Many people buy sports equipment and don’t end up using it as often as they expected.  As a result, there is a huge resale market with gently-used equipment in great condition. Check out yard sales or free online boards such as Craigslist or FreeCycle.

4. Furniture

With the exception of certain antiques, used furniture is almost always less expensive and some models are built to last. Sometimes all you need is a fresh can of paint or new fabric for a new look at a fraction of the cost.

5. Jewelry

Since jewelry depreciates faster than cars, check out estate sales, yard sales or reputable pawn shops to find unique pieces.

6. Electronics

When electronics are returned to the manufacturer, they are inspected for damaged parts, fixed, tested and sold at a lower price. Coupled with a good warranty, you can save money and get exactly what you were looking for.

7. CDs and DVDs

As long as they have been taken care of, used CDs and DVDs will play like new at half the cost.

8. Clothes

Sift through a thrift store to find great deals or try a second-hand clothing store, which often offers trendy gently-used clothing at up to 70 percent off retail prices.

9. Tools

Quality-made tools last with good maintenance. Check out neighborhood yard sales for great deals on used tools.  If you don’t use tools regularly, consider just renting them for one-time use or borrowing from a friend.

The more often we reuse products, the less often they end up in a landfill. Can you think of other items that are better bought used?

 

Image credit: Flickr

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