Every household is trying to come up with unique ways to save money these days. However, most households are focusing on cutting things out of their lifestyle instead of changing the way they shop. Saving money doesn’t mean you have to go without. Simply choosing to buy used over new can quickly add up in savings.
New items often come with a higher price tag, but not always a higher quality than used items. To save yourself money without having to sacrifice purchasing certain pleasurable items, consider buying used. In addition to DVDs, CDs, and cars, here are a few other items that you should always buy used to save you money:
Books
Books, especially hardback books, come with a high retail price. Instead of buying books new, purchase them at a secondhand retailer. Doing so can save you up to 50 to 75 percent off your books. Some online retailers, such as Amazon.com, even have a “used” section under each book title so you have the option of purchasing it new or used.
Special Occasion Clothing
Wedding and prom dresses may be beautiful, but they come with a high price tag – often times, the price is so high for these types of dresses that it is difficult to legitimize the cost for a dress you will only where once. Instead of purchasing a special occasion dress directly from a salon, look online at sites like eBay or check out your local upscale second hand stores. Both shopping venues offer great prices for special occasion clothing, and you will be able to receive the same quality.
College Furniture
College and first apartment furniture should rarely be bought new. College students frequently move and they have a generally more lax lifestyle which can be hard on furniture making the high price of new furniture just not worth it. “When you are able to finally afford your first apartment, you have other more important things to worry about than fine furniture – like rent and utilities,” says Charles Bulger from Currencies.com. Don’t over extend yourself by purchasing new furniture. Instead, look through the local paper or Craigslist for great deals on used pieces of furniture.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are incredibly expensive, however, most schools require students participating in band or orchestra to have their own instrument. To avoid spending hundreds of dollars on an instrument your child may not stick with, buy it used instead. CraigsList, schools, and local music stores are all great places to find used musical instruments which can save you as much as $400.
Jewelry
Like cars, jewelry greatly depreciates after the initial purchase – especially diamonds. To avoid spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on a piece of jewelry that may only be worn on a few occasions, consider buying it used. Go to a local pawn shop and check out their selection. Some jewelry shops may even have a used section where you can purchase watches, bracelets, necklaces, and other fine accessories for a much lower price while still receiving the same quality.
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I buy some of my books used at Half Price Books, but there are many that I buy new especially if I plan on keeping them for awhile as references. I prefer to be able to keep my own notes in the margins or highlight as I deem appropriate. I hadn’t really thought about buying used jewelry, but that sounds like a good idea. Most of my early furniture was free.
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