The 10 Things you should ALWAYS Buy Used

There are things that simply aren't worth the price new. And then there are things that are actually better used! Here's what resale shopkeepers across the continent, who see all the mistakes coming out of their clients' closets and cupboards, think are the things you should always buy used.

1. Special occasion dressing. If you'll be wearing a ball gown for four hours, a mother-of-the-bride outfit for three, or, heaven help you, a clown costume for two hours, why buy new? You can save enough buying such outfits gently-used to have a much more special occasion! 
2. Holiday photo attire. Same reasoning here: Sure, little Britney would look adorable posing in that red velvet and lace concoction, but face it: she'll be wearing it for 20 minutes. Buy her outfit second-hand and save enough to order extra prints for the family! 
3. Holiday attire of any kind. Sure, that Halloween sweatshirt's cute, but you'll wear it what, 3 times? Buy it used for a few bucks, and it's not frightfully expensive. Buy it new for $40 or $50? And pay $15 per wearing? Enough to scare the daylights out of your budget! 
   
4. Books. As one resale shopkeeper said: "The words do not get read off he page! Let someone else pay the new price!" The average student spends somewhere in the vicinity of $400 dollars per semester on textbooks. Textbooks are updated regularly, often for reason. 
5. Toys. Children's interests change so fast, chances are the toy you find in a
   consignment or resale shop has barely been played with. And chances are also good that when it ends up in the bottom of your child's toy box, there will be another child eager to play with it, so you can reconsign it! 
6. Home accent pieces. Artwork & other home decor items rarely show wear but do show the
   
   homemaker's tastes and interests. Interesting pieces from exotic lands or other times, are readily found at reasonable prices in resale shops of all types. 
7. Kids' clothing. Just about anything you could put on your child is better bought secondhand: Newborn clothing abounds in resale, especially because an infant simply grows too fast to wear all the darling outfits purchased as gifts. 
Then there is toddler clothing. One resale shopkeeper says, "My toddler will wear an outfit to preschool once and it comes home covered in finger paint and glitter glue, ground-in dirt from the sandbox or grass stains from the yard, and cranberry juice or other remnants of lunch. When I buy it already used, it's no problem when it comes home in a shambles.Older children adore costumes and make-believe clothes. Fill their dress-up boxes with fun items purchased at resale shops and let their imaginations take wing."
8. Jeans. They ALWAYS fit better used. Someone else gets to have them shrink after the first washing.
9. Video Games/ DVDs. Why spend $50 when your child beats the game in a week. Same with movies. And most places give a warranty on these items. 
   
10. Accessories of all sorts. Who wants to look like they bought their jewelry at the local department store? Their belt at the same mall store everyone in town goes to? Quality accessories show your style and taste. A gently-used authentic designer piece costs little more than the cheap illegal knock-off bought from dubious sources. By shopping often, you have a better chance of finding the items everyone snaps up right away-- as well as, parts to sets of things-- like specific china patterns, collectibles, etc. 

Making it in Rough Economic Times with Thrift Store Finds

Thrift stores, they're so much more than inexpensive places to shop. They're treasure chests filled with the kind of unique items that can make you and your home look terrific for a fraction of the cost of regular stores.

 This blog is to give you a hand on what thrift stores can be for you and your wallet. I hear some people say there isn't anything they see in thrift stores that they need, they have an aversion to dirt, no patience, or just bad luck. Well maybe you aren't looking with the right frame of mind. The truth is that anyone can be a good thrifter if they keep an open mind. It's as simple as recognizing when an object needs a good cleaning, a coat of paint, or even just a new context.

 With today's economy hunting for an item that you need can be a family event. For example: shopping for a coffee table could be a form of entertainment with your family. Find a large box and by refinishing it or painting it, you have a coffee table that can be a work of art and a conversation piece and family time spent together. Not to mention the money you save and you end up with something that defines who you are, more than a coffee table that a manufacturer thinks is your style.

 Dishes: You can find mismatched dishes in a range of colors and patterns at any thrift shop. Use them to build a collection, hang a wall of plates, or make them into mirrors.

Artwork: If you're thinking of hanging a wall of clustered artwork, thrift shops are a great place to build a cheap, out-of-the-ordinary collection.

Shelves and Secretaries: Storage pieces are always useful around the house. Clean up shelves with paint or wallpaper. Although old-fashioned, secretaries are really useful pieces that can easily transform into a home office, bar, or linen closet.

Sweaters and Blankets: Have these dry-cleaned, and then use them to add some coziness to your home by reupholstering it or covering a footstool.

Trunks, Suitcases, and File Cabinets: Industrial trunks and storage pieces or vintage suitcases are easy to find at flea markets and thrift shops. Clean them up and use them as occasional tables.

Dining Chairs: Whether you're looking for a whole set or a single side chair, dining chairs are always waiting to be scooped up at second-hand shops. If your chair needs a little love, try painting it, reupholstering a seat, or staining it.

Dining Tables: Simple thrift store tables can be used for kitchens, dining rooms, or repurposed as a desk. If the table is scuffed or needs some DIY love, try restyling it with paint, fabric, or even just a tablecloth.

Lamps: Sometimes all a lamp needs is a new shade and a good cleaning to make it brand new. If you find a broken lamp at a thrift store, you can always try rewiring it.

Rocking Chairs: Rockers are great for a child's room, a porch, or even a corner that needs a big piece. If your chair is a little dull, try painting it.

Fabric: If you've got basic sewing skills, thrift stores are the perfect place to look for fabric scraps to use for pillows, napkins, tablecloths, curtains, and any other project that could use a stash of mismatched prints. Just make sure to wash your fabrics before using them.

Tip- Abandon any preconceptions you might have about thrift stores. Today's thrift stores aren't unclean low-end shops. Thrift stores vary by chain and by store. But while many people may think of them as being scary places of questionable quality and safety, many stores are bright, clean and extremely professional. 

Here are some popular misconceptions I've heard:
"Thrift stores are only for people of low income": Not true! Thrift stores are for anyone who is willing to look for a bargain.

 "Pre-used things are not sanitary-- I only buy new.": Most thrift store items are easily cleaned. And think of it this way-- when you go to a restaurant or a hotel, you are eating off dishes and cloth napkins, and sleeping on sheets, with likely more people pre-using them than you ever would at a thrift store. So shed any fears about thrifting and go for it!

By shopping often, you have a better chance of finding the items everyone snaps up right away, as well as, parts to sets of things, like specific china patterns, collectibles, etc.

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• TOTAL OF TODAY’S PROJECT      Priceless!

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