Buy Second Hand and Save Money

In these tough financial times, many people are unable to buy everything brand new. Instead of going to the mall or big name bookstore, they are opting to go to consignment stores, thrift shops and used book stores. This change in consumer mindset could be a positive move for those trying to eliminate debt as well.

Thrift stores don’t necessarily mean that the items sold there are of bad quality. If you frequent any local thrift store you’ll see many clothes and other items that are in brand new condition (often with the original price tag) at a much lower price. For instance, a $60 pair of jeans could be found at a thrift store for only $5 – brand new!

When on a tight budget, you should always make a list of things that you need before going shopping. Entering into a thrift store isn’t an exception to this, but you should maybe bring an extra $10 or so just in case you find something you weren’t expecting. Only buy those extras however if you really need them, otherwise you won’t be doing your budget any favors.

Each thrift store labels and tags things differently. When first entering the store, figure out how they are labeled and what sale days are on which items (this is a practice most thrift stores implement). If you don’t see it listed, ask someone working there.

Be prepared to look through lots of duds before finding what you want. Some thrift stores are really crowded, while others are more neatly organized. Regardless of store in which you go, you can find great deals and good quality. Just be ready to spend time going through the racks of clothing to find your selections. Brand names are usually mixed in with everything else, and even though there are sections for each size, they often get mixed up too.

Because clothing at thrift stores are used, always check them thoroughly before buying them. There could be stains, tears, missing buttons, broken zippers, etc. Instead of putting back an item of bad quality, bring it to the store manager so they can toss it or try to fix it before someone else finds picks it up by mistake.

After purchasing clothing, shoes or purses from a thrift store, always wash or sanitize them. They may have been washed before brought there, but more than likely not and many hands could have touched them or tried them on before you bought it.

If you want to purchase an electronic or battery operated item, ask someone working there where you can try it out to make sure it works before you purchase it. It would be a good idea to carry some batteries with you because the item probably doesn’t have any included.

Have fun shopping at thrift stores and expand you horizons to used bookstores and sporting goods stores for those needs as well. Saving money is often accomplished by simply changing some of your normal shopping habits.