Who doesn’t like getting something new? Most people enjoy it. But new to you doesn’t mean it has to be brand new and never used. There’s a lot of things you could buy used and still enjoy it just as much as something new, plus it can save you tons of money. Check out my top three below.
1- Your New Home
A new home can be a beautiful thing. Nobody’s used the rooms before and everything should be in tip top shape. You won’t have to worry about outdated appliances and older things that could break on you. However, a new home also comes at a premium.
You can expect to pay anywhere between 10-20% more for a new home that is comparable to an older home. Of course, a lot of that depends on what types of upgrades and updates the older home has done over the years, but you can almost always expect to pay more for a new home when compared to a used one.
You can save yourself some money if you buy a used home instead of a new one. That doesn’t mean you have to settle on junk. Older homes get renovated and sometimes you won’t be able to find a new home in the area or neighborhood you want. Then your only option is looking at the “used” homes that are available.
2- Your New Furniture
Have you gone into a furniture store lately? Things are not cheap these days. Even at the lesser quality furniture stores you’re going to have to pay a good bit for your new furniture. I completely understand getting a new bed to sleep on, but looking at some of the other used furniture would be wise.
Check out places like Craigslist, eBay, and Garage sales for some options. You know that $1,000 pottery barn coffee table you loved in the sore? You may be able to find a good used one for a quarter of the price. If it’s made out of wood then don’t be afraid to go for it. Good quality wood can last a very long time, maybe a lifetime.
The bottom line is if it’s a piece of furniture you think you can clean up easily then buy it used. That would include wood, glass, and metals. Some leathers might be ok if they’re of good quality. Even a cloth couch might work if you’re willing to reupholster it. Just don’t shy away from all the used furniture. Get some new and some used. The best part about used furniture is that it holds up its value pretty well, so if you decide you don’t like it you can usually sell it for close to what you paid for it, even years later.
3- Your New Pets
You might not think of your pets as “used” when they come from the shelter, but that’s basically what it is. If you’re looking for a new pet for your home then please make the shelter the first place you look. There’s just way too many pets being put to sleep each year for you not to at least take a look and consider an option from there.
Not only will you save money when you adopt an animal from the shelter, but you’re also saving the animals life. Eventually these shelters run out of room and they have no other option but to euthanize. Please be a part of the solution if you can.