2807: 6 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy Secondhand by Amanda Brownlow of Hello Brownlow on Frugality

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[00:00:39] [SPEAKER_00]: This is Optimal Finance Daily, 6 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy Secondhand by Amanda Brownlow of HelloBrownlow.com. And I'm your host and personal finance enthusiast, Diana Merriam.

[00:00:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Now let's get right to it as we optimize your life.

[00:01:01] [SPEAKER_00]: 6 Things You Should Always Buy Secondhand by Amanda Brownlow of HelloBrownlow.com

[00:01:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Shopping secondhand can save you money and reduce your impact on the environment.

[00:01:14] [SPEAKER_00]: While there are really low prices to be found at the thrift stores, there are few items you can absolutely purchase secondhand and know for certain you're getting a bargain.

[00:01:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Number 1. Baby Gear

[00:01:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Babies can be really expensive. Or you can do what we did. We purchased the baby gear and clothing we didn't receive from others at secondhand stores.

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Some of our favorite scores are

[00:01:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Baby Clothes

[00:01:41] [SPEAKER_00]: A dollar or less at Goodwill and our local charity shop.

[00:01:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Baby Carrier

[00:01:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Purchased for $5 at a garage sale.

[00:01:50] [SPEAKER_00]: High Chair

[00:01:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Purchased for $10 at a garage sale.

[00:01:54] [SPEAKER_00]: And Hiking Pack Baby Carrier

[00:01:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Purchased for $100

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Normally $300 retail.

[00:02:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Did our little guy suffer any because his gear wasn't purchased at that posh baby boutique?

[00:02:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Nope!

[00:02:08] [SPEAKER_00]: He's as happy and as healthy as any other baby.

[00:02:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Other than regular thrift stores and garage sales, you can also shop online at ThredUp and Skoola for gently used children's clothing at great prices.

[00:02:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Tip!

[00:02:23] [SPEAKER_00]: When purchasing baby gear and clothing secondhand, give the item a good look over.

[00:02:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Make sure there are no stains, rips, or funny smells.

[00:02:32] [SPEAKER_00]: If it's a toy or larger item, ensure that all the pieces are there and the item functions like it should.

[00:02:39] [SPEAKER_00]: These items should last through the baby years of your kiddo and then some.

[00:02:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Number 2. Storage Solutions

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER_00]: I love Marie Kondo as much as the next person.

[00:02:50] [SPEAKER_00]: But after you declutter, you absolutely need to organize everything.

[00:02:54] [SPEAKER_00]: And not everyone has a big bag of tiny boxes to do that with.

[00:02:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes purchasing those bins and tubs can get expensive.

[00:03:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Especially if you prefer not to purchase plastic ones.

[00:03:06] [SPEAKER_00]: My favorite storage and organization score from the thrift store is a jar with a latching lid.

[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_00]: It probably retailed for $10 brand new, but I scored it for $1.50.

[00:03:19] [SPEAKER_00]: I added a chalkboard sticker on top to spruce it up a bit.

[00:03:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Another favorite find was small gift boxes without lids.

[00:03:27] [SPEAKER_00]: At 50 cents a piece, who could say no to organizing even the smallest of things?

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Tip. When you look for organizational and storage items, always have the space you're going to put them in mind.

[00:03:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Take measurements if you want something to fit a very specific spot.

[00:03:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Number 3. Video games and movies

[00:03:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Over my brother's lifetime, I bet he has saved thousands of dollars by purchasing video games secondhand.

[00:03:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Stores like Vintage Stock and GameStop always have the latest video games and low prices because they've already been played.

[00:04:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Stores that specialize in reselling games and movies make sure that the discs are in great condition.

[00:04:12] [SPEAKER_00]: The games are cleaned so no personal information is on them.

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_00]: When you take it home, it's like you're the first owner of the item.

[00:04:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Bonus, you can sell back your game to these same stores after you're done playing them.

[00:04:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Tip. Always do a price comparison store to store and look online before you purchase a video game.

[00:04:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes you'll find if the game is brand new, out within the last 2-3 months,

[00:04:38] [SPEAKER_00]: it could be the same price new as it is used, so be aware.

[00:04:43] [SPEAKER_00]: eBay typically has great prices on used games and movies as well.

[00:04:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Number 4. Books

[00:04:50] [SPEAKER_00]: To kill time, I used to roam Barnes & Noble with a frosty Starbucks drink in hand,

[00:04:55] [SPEAKER_00]: picking up whatever book looked good.

[00:04:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Now, I always browse the book section at thrift stores,

[00:05:02] [SPEAKER_00]: looking for classics I've always loved or books no longer in print that I loved as a child.

[00:05:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Books at thrift stores and garage sales typically go for $0.50 to $2 a piece.

[00:05:14] [SPEAKER_00]: What a steal!

[00:05:15] [SPEAKER_00]: If I buy a book now and then 3 months down the road decide that someone else would love it more than us,

[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_00]: I have no guilt about getting my money's worth out of it.

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Tip. If you're after textbooks, I highly recommend renting from sites like Chegg or Barnes & Noble.

[00:05:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Beware of fees and penalties while renting though.

[00:05:36] [SPEAKER_00]: eBay, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Chegg also sell textbooks at good prices from individual sellers.

[00:05:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Number 5. One-time use clothing and accessories

[00:05:49] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm guilty of purchasing clothing, mainly dresses, for one particular event with the intention of never wearing it again.

[00:05:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Why waste all that money and resources on purchasing something new when you can buy it used?

[00:06:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Sites like Poshmark, eBay, Skoola, and ThredUp make shopping secondhand easy when you're looking for something specific.

[00:06:11] [SPEAKER_00]: All sites carry a variety of sizes and brands and great low prices.

[00:06:17] [SPEAKER_00]: One of the favorite things that we have purchased secondhand that I consider to be a one-time use item is my husband's suit.

[00:06:25] [SPEAKER_00]: He purchased it about six months ago on eBay, had it altered, and still has yet to wear it.

[00:06:31] [SPEAKER_00]: He works in a business office, so I'm sure a formal meeting or interview will come up sooner than later.

[00:06:36] [SPEAKER_00]: With an all-in cost of roughly $100 on a suit that regularly retails for $500, I'll say it was a pretty good deal.

[00:06:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Tip. When purchasing any type of used clothing online, high-end or not, don't be afraid to ask the seller some questions.

[00:06:54] [SPEAKER_00]: You can ask for more pictures of the item, if they have pets or smoked in their home, or additional measurements of the item.

[00:07:01] [SPEAKER_00]: They won't be offended.

[00:07:03] [SPEAKER_00]: And number 6. Home decor

[00:07:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Even if you have a very specific style at home, you can always find great home decor at thrift shops and garage sales, if you look at it with a DIY mind.

[00:07:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Some days, especially the days they put out new inventory, you can walk into a thrift store and find exactly what you were looking for.

[00:07:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Other days, you might find something that almost fits the bill, but isn't the right color or finish.

[00:07:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Keep in mind that a DIY project can cost very little if the decor item you like is almost what you want it to be.

[00:07:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Paint can be your new best friend.

[00:07:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Tip. If you find an item in a thrift store that is damaged, but you know you can fix it, be bold and ask for a discount on the item.

[00:07:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, you're getting a low second-hand price anyways, but you'll spend money fixing it up if it's something you have your heart set on.

[00:08:02] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the post titled,

[00:08:04] [SPEAKER_00]: 6 Things You Should Always Buy Secondhand by Amanda Brownlow of HelloBrownlow.com

[00:08:10] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:08:12] [SPEAKER_00]: I think anything that has a long lifespan is a good contender to buy secondhand.

[00:08:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Here are a few more ideas.

[00:08:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Quality bicycles, especially those from reputable brands, can last for decades with proper maintenance.

[00:08:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Hand tools and power tools are often built to last.

[00:08:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Estate sales, auctions, and online marketplaces are good places to find these.

[00:08:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Vintage jewelry can offer unique styles and craftsmanship that are often superior to new pieces.

[00:08:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Kitchen appliances like mixers, blenders, and food processors from reliable brands are built to last

[00:08:52] [SPEAKER_00]: and can be found secondhand in good working condition.

[00:08:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Look for refurbished options with warranties for extra peace of mind.

[00:09:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Outdoor equipment like lawnmowers, trimmers, and gardening tools are designed for long-term use.

[00:09:07] [SPEAKER_00]: I personally bought a used lawnmower for $100 seven years ago, and it still works great.

[00:09:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Instruments like pianos, guitars, and brass instruments are built to endure and often sound better with age.

[00:09:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks from reputable brands are made to withstand harsh conditions and frequent use.

[00:09:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Finally, treadmills, weights, and exercise bikes are durable and often resold by people who no longer use them.

[00:09:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Secondhand exercise equipment can be a great way to set up a home gym affordably.

[00:09:43] [SPEAKER_00]: And that should do it for today.

[00:09:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening every day and sticking around until the end.

[00:09:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Have a happy rest of your day, and I'll see you tomorrow where optimal life awaits.

[00:09:53] [SPEAKER_00]: D