Tightwad Tuesday - Part 2: Buying Used Items

Here is the next installment of EML's money saving tips.

Buying Used Items

We all have to buy things at some point, but you do not always have to buy new. Gently used items do the job just as well and they will cost you much less than something new. Here are three places you should check out the next time you need (want) something.

First on the list are thrift stores. I recently discovered a thrift store that is operated by a local church and I went to check it out since I was looking for some clothes for Edith. Well, after spending 30 mins there I left with a bag full.

This is what I bought:
Bead maze toy - $1 (I had seen the same thing at Target for $15.)
2 paperback kid books - .53 (New around $10.)
BabyGap shorts - .50 (New $16.50)
BabyGap pants - .50 (New $24.50)
Old Navy sweater - $1 (New $19.50)
Adias track pants - $1 (New $20)
2 Carter t-shirts - $1 (New $24 for both)
Lilly Pulitzer sweater - $1 (On Lilly Pulitzer's website, the sweater sells for $58.)

I only spent $6.86. If I had bought these items new, it would have run me up $187.50 plus tax. All the clothes were in excellent shape and one of the sweaters actually still had the tags. This is my usual experience with thrift stores. Sometimes you will have to hunt for the bargains, but they are always there and well worth the time to find them. Most thrift stores sell clothes, household items, sport equipment, furniture, books, paintings and electronics.

The second place to check-out is www.craigslist.com. You usually will not find items as cheap as things at a thrift store, but it is a great place to find some thing in particular. Most of the baby items I have bought (stroller, car seat, pack-n-play, etc) have been Craig's list buys and they were purchased for at least 50% off the retail price.

They also sell larger items such as houses, cars, rooms for rent, farm equipment, pretty much anything you may need. I actually purchased my car from someone on Craig's List. I paid $1300 for it and have put around $500 worth of work into it, but after 3 years, it still has not cost me more than $2000.

Craig's List is also a great place to sell items around your house that you may no longer need. I have personally sold around a couple hundred dollars in the last few months.

www.freecycle.org is a place where you can find things people are trying to get rid
and will give to you for free. You are also able to post things that you are looking for and if someone has the item, they will give it to you. I was looking for a new car seat cover for a car seat I picked up on Craig's List and someone gave me theirs for free. I have picked up canning jars, clothes for Edith, books, and some kitchen items that people were looking to give away.