When you buy used instead of new, your money-saving potential goes way up!

It’s amazing how quickly $100 can be spent at the store or online.

Every day, we’re bombarded with dozens—if not hundreds—of advertisements for products that would supposedly enhance our lives. You can’t even casually scroll through social media without being exposed to targeted ads!

The temptation to spend money that’s not in the budget is around every corner, and although many of these products are truly valuable, you probably don’t actually need them.

Buy Used and Save Thousands

Alongside minimalism, buying things used is one way my husband and I save thousands of dollars every single year! And that’s definitely not an exaggeration.

Some people don’t think buying used is worth their time. Others have aversions to buying secondhand, concerned that used items are somehow tainted, going to wear out quickly, or not on-trend. Sure, there are certain things I don’t buy used (undergarments and carseats, for instance), but I’m here to tell you that once you start searching the used market before you buy new, you’ll probably have a hard time going back!

The truth is, buying used enables you to purchase higher-end, better-quality items than your budget might have otherwise allowed. You’ll save so much more than you ever thought possible, and you’ll be hooked! You’ll be left with even more money to put toward your savings goals—the things you’re actually excited about!

Buying used is also great for our environment. Repurposing and passing items along is always a win!

I do want to mention that the point of buying used is not simply to get a great deal, because we definitely do not want to fill our homes up with junk we don’t need. It’s still important to shop mindfully—even when the price is just a dollar!

Here are the top 10 categories that save us the most money!

1. Used Books

You can easily save 75% – 90% by buying books used!

I used to help run my parents’ used book business, so I know just how easy it is to buy books for less.

We love to shop library sales, garage sales, and thrift stores locally—as well as used book retailers online, such as AbeBooks, Amazon, Alibris, and ThriftBooks.

(That said, we do like supporting authors we appreciate, and will sometimes purchase newly released books that aren’t yet on the used market.)

2. Used Cars

Buying a used car instead of a new one will save you thousands upon thousands of dollars!

In the US, the average car payment for a new vehicle is currently over $550, and a good chunk of that amount is typically made up of interest. Over many years, this adds up significantly!

New vehicles lose about 10% of their value the moment you drive them off the lot, and they lose an additional 10% after just 1 year. After 5 years, most vehicles easily lose over 50% of their value!

For instance, right now 2020 Toyota Camrys start around $25,000. But if you opted for a 2015 model, you can pay closer to $12,000!

While there are many factors to consider when buying used vehicles, doing so can be a huge money-saver!

3. Used Clothing

There is an an absolutely huge markup on clothing! This is a category that can save you so much money.

When I buy used clothes, I can sometimes buy 10 pieces for what a single article of clothing costs new!

My favorite places to find used clothing, especially for kids, are garage sales. I’ve found quality, name brand clothing in nice condition for as little as $.25!

Thrift stores are great places to find lots of clothes all in one place, as are consignment shops. Here you also have the advantage of trying on the clothes before you buy.

ThredUp is an online thrift store that can save you money on quality clothing. You can search by things like style, size, brand, and color, which is pretty great! You will pay more this way, but it’s an especially great option when you’re looking for something specific or higher quality brands.

Better yet, spend no money at all and have a clothing swap with friends! Gather your friends together and have everyone bring clothes they no longer need or love. Sort everything by size and clothing type and start “shopping”! This works especially well when several (or more) friends participate, and it works great for kids’ clothes, too!

I participated in a clothing swap once at a friend’s house, and it was a ton of fun!

4. Pre-Owned Kids’ Toys

Toys are crazy expensive when you’re paying retail!

Garage sales and thrift stores will save you big time when it comes to buying toys for your kids, although I typically stay away from things like teething toys, plush toys, puzzles, and noisy toys (with the occasional exception).

Personally, I find that being very selective about which toys I bring into my home also helps me to spend less on toys overall. We prefer educational toys and games—things that encourage imagination and open-ended play.

Spending more time outside also eliminates the need to own as many toys. Kids can creatively play for hours in the fresh air and sunshine!

I know I already mentioned buying books used, but it’s so easy to find nice children’s books on the used market for next to nothing.

5. Pre-Owned Baby Gear

Let’s be real. It’s easy to go crazy when there’s a baby on the way! Baby swings, bouncers, strollers, carseats, highchairs, diaper bags, swaddles, carriers, bathtubs, nursery essentials—you name it!

There are a million baby products to sift through, and figuring out what you need—especially the first time around—can be overwhelming. While it’s true you don’t need much for a baby, having a few non-essentials past diapers and clothes can make mom-life a whole lot easier.

For instance, plenty of people told me that I didn’t need a baby swing, but I bought one anyway—just in case—and it saved my sanity! But did I pay $150 for it? No. I bought the exact brand and model I wanted on the used market for $60 and it worked beautifully!

(I actually sold it later for exactly what I paid for it, so we essentially got to use it for FREE! Yet another perk of buying used.)

A lot of baby gear is only used for 3-6 months near the beginning of a baby’s life. That means many baby items on the used market are in like new condition!

It also means that you probably have friends who have baby gear stowed away in a closet somewhere. Consider asking around to see if you can borrow certain items! (But do make sure you take very good care of them, or be prepared to replace them.)

Kids consignment shops, garage sales, thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp are all great places to look for used baby gear.

6. Used Furniture and Home Decor

It is estimated that furniture stores mark up their furniture 200-400%! Yikes.

I remember walking through a furniture store, looking for a comfortable glider and ottoman before Jack was born. We visited a few stores before I found one that I truly loved! It was perfect—so comfortable and cute—until I looked at the price tag. They were asking over $600 for a basic glider! I grabbed my husband and practically ran out of the store.

Don’t pay full price when there are so many beautiful furniture pieces available on the used market! If you want to save even more money, consider refinishing or reupholstering. Fabric couches are one thing usually I prefer to buy new, but most of our furniture was purchased secondhand.

Thrift stores and garage sales are the ideal places to pick up interesting and unique home decor pieces!

7. Used Workout Equipment

Workout equipment is expensive to buy new, even though it’s usually still cheaper than frequenting a gym. But there’s no need to sign up for 18 payments of $19.99! People looking to downsize are often trying to sell off their home gym equipment.

Online markets and garage sales are replete with stationary bikes, benches, yoga mats, exercise balls, and all kinds of other workout equipment their owners no longer want.

My brother was once given an entire set of adjustable weights by a guy who just wanted to get them out of his garage!

8. Pre-Owned Sports and Hobby Equipment

The startup costs of getting into a new hobby or sport can be prohibitive, but purchasing preowned equipment and supplies can make trying something new affordable.

When my husband and I first got married and moved into a small apartment, we had to figure out what to do with some of his hobby and sports equipment. He had been into things like mountain climbing and backpacking at various times in his life, which require a fair amount of gear!

We ended up selling a lot of it on Craigslist and OfferUp, and recouped hundreds of dollars in the process. (What’s funny is that he had purchased much of this equipment years earlier on the used market!)

There’s no point in paying full price for a perfectly good backpacking tent when you can pay less than half price, right?

9. Used Tools & Lawn Care Equipment

Growing up, whenever my parents or grandparents hosted garage sales, I always remember people walking up first thing in the morning and asking if we had any tools and lawn care equipment!

These types of things are great to buy used because they don’t need to be pretty and pristine—they just need to work well. It’s not uncommon for a homeowner to buy “bigger and better” lawn equipment and have no use for what he replaced. Take advantage of those savings!

10. Pre-Owned Housewares

Thrift stores and garage sales are the ideal places to go when looking for housewares. Personally, I have found housewares to be one of the very best things to buy at garage sales! People usually don’t ask much for them.

You can find everything from vintage plates and tea cups to barely-used appliances and baking dishes!

Which Items Do You Buy Used Instead of New?

Saving money by purchasing on the used market is great for both your bank account and the environment.

Plus, buying used feels like a treasure hunt! Keep a running list of items you want to be on the lookout for. It’s so satisfying when you find something you need for pennies on the dollar!

Did I miss anything?

Leave a comment down below sharing which items are your favorite to buy used instead of new!