This Lifehacker post How Real Cheapskates Think caught my eye because, like most people, I strive to be a cheapskate and fail miserably. I pay for convenience by hopping in a cab rather than walking the extra five blocks to the subway, I don't re-use Ziploc bags, I believe more expensive makeup is actually better than drugstore brand, and I buy my coffee one cup at a time rather than brewing it at home (in fact, I am writing this in a Starbucks). But if there's one cheapskate rule I can get behind, it's buying used. With that in mind, a list of the sources:
Books: Paperbackswap.com offers a used book swapping service. Upside: Free. Downside: Tastes run more to the Twilight/Betty Crocker Cookbook set than to say, David Sedaris.
Computers: An Apple Store employee assures me that Craigslist is a great source for used Macs, many which are still under warranty. (I happen to be in the market for a new Macbook Air to use in Starbucks while drinking my over priced, non-home brewed coffee.)
Housing: Most housing is "used" and believe it or not, your friends and friends-of-friends on Facebook are a great resource for apartment rentals, sublets and even home sales.
What do you buy used and where do you buy it?
Comments
Well, we can’t talk about used goods and leave out the thrift store, right? I’ve started buying thrift for work out clothes and casual clothes – cute t-shirts and plain skirts. It didn’t make any sense to me to keep buying expensive tanks and sweat pants just to sweat in at the gym. You’d also be surprised how many clothing items are barely used or still have tags on them.
I’ve also scored a brand new wok and gorgeous full color cookbooks for next to nothing at the thrift store. You really never know what you’ll find and save money on if keep an open mind.
Nita Leotta
http://splendids.com/blog
And we have a great Goodwill store here. So I get a double benefit – cheap, pretty good clothes, and help a charity with my cash and my donations of things I no longer wear.