I'm not one to op-shop. I probably won't change in that respect.
But when visiting my sister last month (who had a baby with her husband and because they went from 2 wages to 1 they drastically overhauled their finances) I was reading a tip in a frugal living book she borrowed.
It goes: research what you want to buy, then look not only for the best deals but also check eBay.
Which made me think really how much stuff do we need to buy brand new? I don't think I care anymore about certain things. Last night I felt like Internet shopping, gave myself a maximum limit ($20) and bought an umbrella for $12. I do need one.
Then the tip popped into my mind (of course after buying!) and I checked eBay. I could have got an umbrella just like the one I bought for the same price but not paid shipping (eBay had it listed as free for that item as long as you choose standard). I paid $12 plus $10 shipping on my site.
So then I thought I don't care if things like umbrellas and accessories are second hand? So my ideals have kind of changed when it comes to shopping. I think from now on I am happy to search eBay for accessories and little items here and there (like for example I want to buy a shower timer, an iPad case and a phone case- so I don't care if they're secondhand)
What items do you guys search eBay for?
Changing My ideals about what should be brand new
February 5th, 2015 at 07:09 am
February 5th, 2015 at 12:24 pm 1423139059
When we needed to outfit grandparents homes for baby short term care, it was cost effective to buy gently used items if we couldn't scrounge stuff from friends and relatives. It was the custom in our community to buy our DKS bikes, skates, skis, hockey and soccer equipment, at sport swaps and failing that from advertising sellers. Based on those experiences we are accepting of pre owned categories sans soft furnishings. The day I broke my gran's big mixing bowl of a set of much loved British pottery my neighbour told me about Value Village. I was there the following morning to buy the bowl neighbour had described. Since I've bought lots of replacement pieces for prized tableware. Favourite source for Mason jars.
If you want to try out gadgets and gizmos, appliances like bread machine or slow cooker, they are always available at one of the charity stores.
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