10 Things I Never Buy New

As you know by now, on this blog, we are all about saving you money. One mistake that is often made by many consumers is the mindset, “If I can’t buy it new, I don’t want it at all.” Certain things that are bought new can carry a huge price tag, and if you are trying to be a better steward and more financially responsible, well…this doesn’t fit into the picture.

Today I want to give you a list of 10 things you should never buy new. In the past, I have found incredible savings on these items just by looking on Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon, or really, all over the internet. There are all kind of websites out there with people who are trying to sell their old items, and even some stores will sell used items. The point is this: don’t settle for paying full price. If you can find the same exact item that has been “loved on” a little bit, why not buy it in that condition and save yourself hundreds in credit card bills?

# 1 : Books

As we all know, book stores have been suffering in recent years, because online book sales have skyrocketed. Many people are now losing the desire to go into a book store because they would rather buy one from the comfort of their own home. (I wonder if this will happen with shopping? Hope not…) But the point here is that you should stay ahead of the curve, and always buy your books used. Some people have a problem with this, but what I would ask that person is: how willing are you to truly save?

#2:  DVD’s and CD’s

Plenty of stores have used DVD’s for sale as well as online sources. DVD’s should never be purchased brand-new, because most people that use them only watch them one time. I know many of us don’t buy CD’s as much any longer, but if you do, still be on the lookout for good prices and savings.

#3 Fabric

If you love crafts, and are always searching for a good fabric to use, avoid going straight to the fabric store for whatever you might be working on. Whenever I am in the mood for making something, I usually go over to GoodWill first, and most of the time I find this beautiful long dress that I know can be cut up to about 3 yards! The dress will typically cost $5 or under, talk about a steal! Fabric can sometimes be $8 per yard…(do the math).

#4 Home Decor

Now, on this one, I shouldn’t say that you will NEVER buy this new, but there is a lot of room to be creative here. At many home decor stores, I see a lot of pretty clear vases that hold popery, flowers, stones, or all kinds of decorative trinkets. The fact of the matter is that you can find those clear vases in a lot of places, including most consignment stores. Just by adding something to fill the center, you now have a beautiful piece that can change with every season.

#5 Furniture

We all know that if you go at the right time, you can score big at a furniture store, but there are also great opportunities at garage sales in the neighborhoods surrounding your home. Check CraigsList, or the PennySaver to find what is going on which weekend, or keep your eye out for signs. Usually you can find some great furniture pieces, and maybe with a little painting or refurbishing, you can make it a whole new creation!

 #6: Laptop

When I was looking for a laptop, I was amazed to see the reduction in price from a refurbished Mac computer, to a brand new one. I know this idea is not for everyone, because some people often times need a customized computer for their work, but if you are just a casual user like me, you should definitely look into this. Laptops can be so expensive, and within a few years, your brand new baby can start to have some serious problems. Why not either take your old one in to be refurbished, or buy one that works like it’s brand new?

 #7: Car

You know what happens when you drive a brand new car off the lot don’t you? Yep, it looses a big chunk of value. Yet we all continue to buy new cars without thinking twice about it. I have to admit, I’m pretty guilty of this one, but I know that you save a great amount of money simply by buying your favorite model a few years older. If you do the right research on this, you will walk away with a great price, and low mileage.

#8: Exercise Equipment

What I love about this purchase, (often times in garage sales) is that you will find exercise equipment that has NEVER been used before in most cases. Let’s face it, many people have a problem working out at home, let alone going to a gym, so it is fairly easy to find exercise equipment that hasn’t been used too much.

#9: Sporting Goods

Whether it’s a basketball, tennis racquet, camping gear, or softball, you can often find used items like this that will stand the test of time. I know that if I sold some of my tennis rackets today, it would be a great deal for the buyer, because I really only used one growing up. This can be the same for a lot of sporting goods, just make sure you check it out and know what a good ball or racket would feel like.

#10: Artwork

If you think about it, artwork is one of those items that is never used, always on display, and always in perfect condition. What more could you ask for in a used item? There are many places that will re-sell artwork, and I have found some great pieces at my local consignment store. Artwork is also special because it is often timeless, and you can keep or resell that piece in the future.

If you have anything else to add, feel free to comment. It’s always helpful to have new ideas from other women who are doing it themselves!

By: Erika Pizzo