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In these financially challenging times, it’s beneficial to cut expenses wherever you can. This is a good rule anyway because the more frugal you are, the more money goes into your bank account. You can also find new ways to make money too.   

By purchasing items secondhand aka used, you can save money shopping.  You can save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year by shopping at Pawn Shops, Thrift Stores, Flea Markets, and Online.

Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or need to upgrade your vehicle, you can find fantastic items for a fraction of the cost.  Check out what to buy and where so you can save money shopping!    

7 Simple Ways you can save money shopping secondhand

1. Get More Jewelry for Less Money

Jewelry is one of the highest markups in the retail industry.  Purchasing fine jewelry at retailers can break the bank fast.  By shopping secondhand from a Pawn Shop or Thrift Store, you can save thousands of dollars. 

There was a 1-Carat Pear-Cut Diamond at our local Pawn Shop for $1500.  This is much lower than the retail cost.  Of course, you need to shop at a reputable shop to be sure what you buy is authentic gold, gemstones, and diamonds. 

You can ask them to test the jewelry in front of you before you buy it to be sure it is real.  If someone is honest, they will have no problem proving their product is authentic to a customer. 

When buying jewelry online, be very careful.  Be sure to research the seller’s reviews and read the description carefully.  Something may be plated or filled with gold, which is not as valuable as a solid gold piece.

However, if you’re into costume jewelry, you can get some pretty great stuff on sites such as Poshmark, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace.  Depending on your taste, you can find designer brands at a fraction of the cost at these places versus purchasing from a store. 

2. Save on Electronics

The only perk of buying electronics new is if you get a warranty.  Otherwise, this can be a real money waster.  These days electronics come out so fast that they depreciate in value within months of purchasing! 

Remember how expensive televisions were?  Now you can pick up a 55” t.v. for under $300 brand new.  If you buy this used, you will pay about half of the original price if you’re a savvy shopper.  

Secondhand shops usually price their items around 60% of the retail price.  Then if you’re lucky, they might give you a little discount depending on the item.  You can save money shopping by purchasing computers, stereos, cameras, and other pre-owned electronics.

3. Shop Pre-Owned Musical Instruments 

If you’ve always wanted to learn to play the guitar or get that drum set you wanted as a kid, (or buy one for your kid now) you should check places like Facebook, Pawn Shops, Thrift Shops, and Online shops such as eBay.  You can save money shopping for your new instrument at secondhand shops.

Purchasing an instrument for school rather than renting can save you a decent amount of money also.  You can find wind instruments such as tubas, saxophones, French horns, and trumpets at a fraction of the cost.

4. Buy Tools for a Bargain Price 

Tools are much like electronics.  They have so many new models produced so often they devalue quickly.  The pros to purchasing tools used are you save money shopping but be sure to test it out before buying so you know it works correctly.   

You can find name-brand tools such as Snap-On, Dewalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee, and more at Pawn Shops for a fraction of the price.  Sometimes if you purchase a decent amount, they will give you a discount.

Flea Markets are another great place to buy tools.  Again, unless you can test a power tool, avoid it.  You never know what the problem could be without hearing and seeing it work.        

5. Cut Costs on Clothing

Clothing comes and goes with the seasons.  Every year there is a new style, trend, and design that seems to be a must-have. You can still dress your best and save money shopping at secondhand shops and websites. 

Check out the Goodwill and Thrift Stores for clothing.  You can find jeans under $7, shirts under $5, and even a decent pair of shoes under $10.  The best time is after the holidays because everyone donates after they get their new Christmas Wardrobe. 

Poshmark is fantastic for finding pre-owned or even brand new clothing at a great price.  You can find designer clothing, shoes, make-up, and more.  A bonus is that you can shop from home and have your goodies shipped right to your door.

6. Furnish Your Home with Used Furniture 

You can find unique furniture pieces at a steal on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Let Go.  Anything from dressers, couches, chairs, vanities, and outdoor furniture can be found on these sites. 

Sometimes you can score freebies because people are moving and just need their stuff gone fast.

Of course, thrift stores are also an excellent place to pick up your next piece of furniture cheap.  If you’re crafty, you can grab a well-used piece of furniture and restore it like new!

7. Get Deals on Vehicles

Did you know that cars can lose 10% of their value in as little as a month of purchasing?  If you buy a car for $30,000, that’s like throwing away $3,000!  Vehicles are another item that depreciates way too fast. 

You can get a decent used car that will last for years and save thousands of dollars. If you are set on purchasing a newer vehicle, shop towards the end of the year when dealers are discounting prices to make room for their next year’s models. 

A Few More Saving Tips for Shopping

Shopping secondhand is the best way to save your hard-earned money.  However, you can still save money shopping when you shop at retailers if you do it right.  If you have a shopping strategy, you can purchase items at a discount and save more money.

Shop the Clearance Racks

Some people purchase their clothes for the next year by shopping at the sales racks. For instance, at the end of summer, you will start to see summer clothing being discounted to put out Fall clothing. 

You can get your summer wardrobe for the next year and put the extra cash in your bank account.   

Use Coupons

Coupons can be a great way to save money shopping.  You can use sites such as coupon.com and save coupons digitally on your store cards.  You can find coupons on this site for stores like Wal-Mart, Food-Lion, Walgreens, and more.

Stores such as Kohl’s offer coupons that can be used on their sale items.  You can use a 30% coupon on an 80% clearance item and get some great goodies at an excellent price.

You can save a good chunk of change, by combining coupons and clearance racks. 

Buy In Bulk

Not everything is meant to be bought in bulk, but if you purchase items that you always use in bulk, you can save a decent amount of money. 

Items such as paper towels, toilet paper, canned food, pet food, cleaning supplies, etc. are things you will need every month.  Why not save money and get them in bulk and save time from buying them every month?  

Start Shopping Secondhand to Save Serious Cash!

By shopping at places like Thrift Stores, Pawn Shops, and Online, you can save hundreds to thousands of dollars.  Not only do you save money, but you can also get more stuff for less money. 

Also, by shopping savvy at retailers, you can save money too. Shopping secondhand is fun, frugal, and a great way to start saving money!