Tag Archives: used

Evaluating Quality in Used Items

Not only can you save money by buying used items, but you can often get a better quality product that when you buy something new. There are two reasons for this, and I’ll give you the details below. Buying used items may be hard to do at first because of any misallocations you might have about getting things second hand. So if you need to, start small, with bright items that are easy to clean, or items that are easy to consider used, such as books or DVDs. You’ll soon see that there is plenty of good quality merchandise to … Continue reading →

The Best Things to Buy Used: Sports Equipment

Sports equipment can be a great deal when it is used. Of course, there is one exception to this area, and that is helmets. I wouldn’t ever buy a used helmet because you don’t know what it has been subjected to by its previous owners. It might not have been in an accident, but it could have been carelessly tossed on to concrete or used inappropriately. I got a great deal on new helmets through my son’s preschool program. That said, here are some great deals on specific sports equipment. Roller skates. All three of our kids have roller skates … Continue reading →

The Best Things to Buy Used: Toys 1

When you are shopping for something new, consider buying it used instead. Many items can be purchased “like new” for a fraction of the cost. Since I am a parent of three young children, I have a lot of experience with buying toys, both new and used. And for toys, used is the best bet 90 percent of the time. Kids quickly grow out of their toys or become disenchanted with them. Then parents get rid of the old toys and buy a bunch of new toys. Made of plastic, most toys are easy to clean and disinfect. Here are … Continue reading →

The Best Things to Buy Used

When you are shopping for something new, consider buying it used instead. Many items can be purchased “like new” for a fraction of the cost. These are things that are readily available used, are often in excellent condition and purchasing them second hand is very cost effective. Most of the time, you won’t even be able to tell the difference between a used or new item, with the exception of the cost. Not everyone likes to buy anything used. And actually, that is a big benefit for frugal people like us. It means that we can take advantage of this … Continue reading →

New or Used Office Equipment?

We occasionally talk here in the Home Business blog about making purchases of office supplies and equipment. Depending on the type of business you are operating, equipment and supplies could be a major and constant concern or more of a periodic issue in your planning and budgeting. Even for those of us with relatively small businesses and minimal equipment needs, equipment may very well be one of our largest expenses. Deciding whether to buy brand new in a box, or consider something used or refurbished can be a major business decision. I know a few people who have bought used … Continue reading →

Never Buy These Things New

Usually, I approach any needs or wants buy doing research and then buying used. Of course, there are some things that you just can’t buy used (toilet paper as an extreme example), and there are times when buying new makes more sense (we looked at a used swing set that would cost more to move to our home than a brand new one that included delivery and installation). Over the years, I have discovered some rules for items that are usually better buying used 99 percent of the time. These are items that when looking the cost difference and the … Continue reading →

Don’t Overlook Second-hand for Business Supplies

I have written a little about the purchasing of equipment and supplies for our home businesses–including how to budget in for the expenses and discern the value of purchases to the business operations, but I realized I had never talked about how everything we purchase for our home businesses does not have to be brand new–for home businesses on a budget, refurbished and second-hand can be a great way to go. I am amazed at how many great office and business supplies I see at thrift stores, antique stores, and garage sales. Not to mention those business that also specialize … Continue reading →