Money Saving tip of the Day: Save money, buy second hand! Some things need to be new. Others, on the other hand, can easily be purchased for half the price (or less) when you shop second hand. Second hand shopping has loads of advantages – it is cheaper, good for the environment and you can often end up with something quite unexpected!. So below we’ve gathered a list of some of the best things to buy second hand. No one will even notice the difference (except perhaps your bank manager!). Women’s Clothing Ebay, Vinnies and all second hand stores are a terrific place to pick up second hand clothing. Often you can find items with the tags still on, or designer items. There are even vintage designer stores around Australia that sell on a consignment basis. Baby Clothing Babies grow so incredibly fast that you may find that you are only using each outfit once or twice. Even if your baby wears the outfit several times, there is no reason why every single thing has to be brand new. Buying baby basics new, such as bibs, tops and socks may be a good idea as these things often wear out and will be thrown away; however, any other items, from swaddles to sleepers, from swimmers to shirts, can be found second hand and bought for a fraction of the price. You can get bags filled with clothes for next to nothing. A good idea it to set up a ‘swap group’ with your friends and family that have babies. Passing on laundered, good quality items to the group ensures everyone saves money. Children’s Toys Secondhand buysYou can also find children’s toys, games, bikes, etc. second hand for a much lower price. This includes all big ticket items such as jumpers, bouncers, walkers, trikes, motorcycles, bikes, water play tables, etc. Usually the toys are in good enough condition that a simple wash is all it takes. You can expect to pay less than 50 percent for larger toys and activity centres for children. For example, a Jumperoo new is around $200.00; second hand you should be able to walk away with one for around $50.00. Some toys should not be bought second hand. These include baby toys (that have been in baby’s mouth), soft toys, broken toys and anything that could possibly be dangerous (such as toys painted with lead paint). Exercise Equipment We’ve all had that intention to get into shape. So take advantage of the many people that’s best laid plans have gone astray and bag a bargain on used (or most likely barely used) exercise equipment. Exercise equipment is bulky and a huge dust collector and thus you can expect to get a good deal as most people just want the items gone. Have a look at these items before you buy and bring your best negotiation face as well. A good place to pick up second hand exercise equipment is your local paper, Ebay and Gumtree. Baby Furniture Second hand baby furniture stores are everywhere. After all, babies grow into little toddlers pretty quickly and thus there is no need for that designer change table and cot set. So while it can be fun to swoon at the overpriced baby set ups at the designer shops, shop with your eyes, not your wallet and check online for the same barely used products for half the price or less. Just check for sturdiness and that the furniture meets with the guidelines in your country. Where to Shop? Shopping second hand can be overwhelming if you have never done it before. There are several different ways you can do it. You can start online and look through sites such as: Gumtree The Trading Post Facebook Swap Pages eBay You may need to do some phone calling, investigating and driving around to find the items you want. You can also shop at second hand shops such as Vinnie’s or the Salvos. Many towns will also have second hand baby shops or pre-loved shops which can also provide you with a bargain. The good thing about shopping second hand and buying from private owners is that often you can make a deal and offer them a little less than what they want. If you love a bargain and love to bargain, then second hand shopping was made for you! source: stayathomemum
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 19:35:05 +0000
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