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SAVE SERIOUS CASH: Buying Second-hand Can Save You Hundreds a Year
Your family can save hundreds, even thousands,
of dollars a year by buying items secondhand.
Your family can save hundreds of dollars a year by buying items secondhand through thrift shops, consignment shops, and online vendors. While there are many items that need to be purchases new,
many goods and clothing serve their purpose just as well the second time around.
Online Vendors
Not only can you visit your neighborhood thrift shop for some serious bargains, you can also check out the latest bargains online at stores like Ebay.com, shopgoodwill.com, America's Thrift Stores.com and overstock.com.
Belts, Scarfs, and Ties
Why spend $30 on a belt or tie when you can purchase them for less than $5 each at most thrift shops? Inspect the belts for cracks in the leather and check scarfs/ties for any stains or rips. Wash/clean them when you get home, and no one will know the wiser.
Jackets, Sweatshirts, and Sweaters
Buy your winter clothing during the summer at local thrift shops. You will find name brand jackets going for a fraction of the cost, cashmere sweaters, and tons of sweatshirts for hanging around the house. Considering that many college sweatshirts can go for $20 each, spending $3 for your favorite university's sweats can save you some serious spending money. Always check sweaters for wear and stains and inspect all pockets of a jacket for holes and wear.
Vintage Jewelry
Gawdy 80s jewelry seems to have made another comeback, and what better place to find those oversized bangles, bands, and earrings than the local thrift shop? The best bargains are found in thrift shops that have bins of jewelry for less than a dollar apiece. Some vendors will separate finer jewelry behind a locked case, but even those items will be on sale for less than a quarter of real cost. Remember to clean out earrings with alcohol. Use a cleaner to make gold, silver, and brass necklaces and bracelets look like new.
Business Suits
Need a large array of business suits but cannot afford spending $200-$400 for a suit? With a little detective work, you can find quality business jackets for less than $20 each. Be sure to dedicate an afternoon to finding suitable work clothes. Finding a complete set is difficult, and you may have to spend time finding matching items. Blouses and button-up shirts abound at thrift shops, as do ties.
Children's Playclothes
Though it is difficult to find baby clothing at most secondhand shops, clothing for toddlers up to teens fill aisles and aisles at the store. Buying thrift for toddlers makes sense, since toddlers grow quickly and have a tendency to dirty clothes quickly.
Teens
For teens, consignment shops are a better bet for finding trendier clothing. Consignment shops differ from thrift shops in that they often have name-brand goods and the previous owner of the item receives a percentage of the profit of the item. Regular thrift shops usually have a stock of jeans and t-shirts for everyday use.
Kitchen Items
Plates, dishes, cups, platters, etc., can all be found at the thrift shop for a miniscule cost. An added bonus? Many dish sets at the thrift shop are of much better quality than comparably priced items at big discount stores. There is a broad array of utensils and random items like bread boxes, butter dishes, and various salt and pepper shakers. Wash everything well in bleach, and you have a new complete dish set for a third of the price!
Decorations
Thrift shops and antique shops are full of amazing one-of-a-kind treasures. Authentic items from Europe to Africa to Asia abound, as does authentic Americana items, artwork, glasswork, vases, lamps, and vintage items. Do some research on sites like the Antiques Road Show.com, and you may find a treasure that is worth hundreds.
Buying secondhand has other added bonuses. Buying locally instead of from large chains that purchase and ship jobs overseas will infuse your local economy with capital that will be reinvested in the community with jobs and purchases of goods. Many thrift shops are directly linked to local charities that are in desperate need during these harsh economic times. Additionally, you will be able to provide for your family for a fraction of the cost. Happy bargain hunting!
