Saving money has been a theme for families in 2024. People are looking for any way they can save a few bucks while navigating day-to-day expenses.
Luckily, there are ways to be frugal while also buying novelty items like sports equipment, tech gadgets, and household items. Many people opt to buy used products instead of the costly new models.
The following products have used options that experts believe you should choose over the new options.
1. Exercise Equipment
There’s a pretty good chance you can get a great deal on a used treadmill, stationary bike, or other cardio equipment. Many people buy these expensive machines with aspirations of getting into shape, only to use them as a place to hang clean laundry. Eventually, these bulky items become a waste of space or an eyesore and are listed on secondhand sites or garage sales.
This is where you can find a steal of a deal. Check the condition and the brand, and you can get equipment for half the price of newer models.
2. Hand Tools
Pawn shops, garage sales, estate sales, and thrift shops are a treasure chest of used tools. Hand tools, like crescent wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, and socket wrenches, are made of solid steel and can’t really break. In fact, the same technology your grandpa used to tighten screws is the same today.
Sure, shiny tools look nice, but a used pipe wrench does the same job without the hefty price tag.
3. Sports Gear
Sports gear can be costly, especially if you’re buying gear for kids who are trying new sports or might grow out of the item in a year or two. Take baseball, for example. A new glove, bat, batting gloves, pants, and cleats could cost over $500. If your kid is growing up or decides he doesn’t like baseball, that could be wasted money.
That’s why many parents look in secondhand stores for sports gear. You can find cheap equipment that will get the job done until they commit to the sport or slow down on the growth spurts.
4. Musical Instruments
Like sports gear and exercise equipment, musical instruments are often impulse purchases that end up in the corner when people realize how hard it is to learn how to play them. You might have the best intentions of playing a song for your crush, but next thing you know, you don’t have the hand coordination to play a chord.
Check your local pawn shops and used instrument stores for discounted guitars from people who have accepted their lack of musical talent. You may find some great deals.
5. Textbooks
All college students can attest that the cost of college textbooks is ridiculous. You pay an arm and a leg for a book that you might use for three months and never open again. How brutal is that?
If you take a class that allows you to use a used textbook, you can save a lot of money buying it secondhand. Look for used websites, local bookstores, or students who took the class last year. Check to see if your college bookstore has used books for your class. Also, look to see if there is a market for your used textbooks. You might make some extra cash.
6. Landscape Equipment
Homeowners agree that the cost of maintaining a healthy lawn can be expensive. Lawnmowers, edgers, weed-whackers, and other tools can add up quickly. The cost and physical exertion can be too much for some people, so they opt to hire a landscaping company.
What do they do with the lawn tools they use? They sell them at a discounted price. Next thing you know, you’re cruising around on a riding lawnmower for half the cost of a new one.
7. Jewelry
Stop spending money on expensive jewelry. Instead, consider attending an estate sale a couple of times a month to check out vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces. You can find neat earrings, necklaces, rings, or watches you won’t find on the market today.
Give those historical pieces a new life instead of spending your hard-earned money in a jewelry store.
8. Furniture
Some pieces of furniture, such as upholstered couches, mattresses, or lounge chairs, should be bought new or at least entirely cleaned. However, side tables, dining room tables, dressers, and T.V. stands can be purchased at a discount.
Thrift shops, flea markets, and garage sales are ideal sources for used furniture. You can refurbish these items to match your style or leave them as is for a unique, retro living room.
9. Electronics
Home electronics like televisions, stereo equipment, laptops, and smart devices can cost a fortune. But there’s a secret some big box stores don’t want you to know. Many of these establishments have open-box sections or display models that are discounted by up to 30%.
Look at websites like Amazon Warehouse for devices that may have been returned or refurbished for simple reasons like the person just changed their mind. These products are perfectly fine and can only be sold at a discount due to their open boxes. Most of them also carry either the original warranty or a refurbished warranty.
10. Gift Cards
Did you know there are websites where you can buy and sell used gift cards for a fraction of how much money is on them? It’s true; there are plenty of websites where you can sell those unwanted gift cards gathered in your junk drawer that you’ll never use.
Browse these sites for cards that you can use and earn a few bucks in the meantime. Maybe someone has a Hobby Lobby gift card they were given as a gift but don’t want. Well, you might find a great deal and get that card for $20 less than it’s worth.
11. Kids’ Bicycles
Kids grow up fast — so fast that they often outgrow their clothes, toys, and even their bikes. A kid has to have a bike. It’s usually one of their favorite toys. Are you going to buy a new bike every year until your child stops growing? If so, that’s a lot of money.
Instead, buy a used bike from a kid who outgrew it the previous year. The odds are that it’s in excellent condition, and it’s only for sale because the kid outgrew it. Do you have a neighbor with a kid who is a few years older than your own? Agree to buy their used bike when they decide to upgrade.
12. Large Appliances
Due to the rising demand for “smart” appliances, the secondhand market offers good prices for appliances like dishwashers, laundry machines, and refrigerators. Many homeowners are upgrading to these new technologies and selling items they use at a discount.
Not everyone needs a fridge that counts how many carrot sticks you have or how many ounces of milk are left in the container. Some just want a place to keep their food fresh or a second fridge for extra meat. Either way, you can score a great deal on one of these used appliances.
13. Boats
Boats depreciate in value quickly once you buy them. They’re often luxury items that people buy, hoping they will use as much as possible, only for them to sit in their driveways and drain money out of their pockets. In fact, during the pandemic, boats were one of the first items people sold when they were losing their jobs or unsure about the future.
Used boats can be bought for much cheaper than newer models. Have a mechanic thoroughly check the vessel before purchasing, but you’re likely to save thousands by purchasing used.
14. Baby Furniture
New parents might regret not buying specific baby furniture from a used source. Items like cribs, strollers, baby seats, playpens, and nursery chairs can add up quickly. However, there are plenty of these items on the secondhand market.
Honestly, what do you do with a crib when your child outgrows it? In all likelihood, you’ll sell it to make some money back. Why not try to save some money, find a used crib, and put that saved money into their future college fund?
15. Pets
While it might seem cute to buy a purebred puppy from a country farm, it is much more humane to rescue a pet from an animal shelter. These dogs and cats are usually looking for love and have been dumped in the shelter. All they want is someone to take care of them.
If you are looking for a pet and a lifetime friend, I encourage you to adopt. You will feel the unconditional love of these animals you rescued, which can never be matched.
