5 Things I Never Buy New and Buy Secondhand Instead

In an effort to save money and live more sustainably, there are 5 things I never buy new and buy secondhand instead. Can you guess what they are?

Overconsumption is a huge issue in the U.S. and all over the world, but why? The old saying, “Keeping up with the Joneses'” used to refer to the competition between neighbors who tried to outdo the other when it came to their homes, cars and other belongings But that was on a small scale in the bubble of a neighborhood. Nowadays, instead of just having pressure from those around us, we’re constantly bombarded by ads and influencers on social media showing us the latest and greatest thing that we “have to have.” Then we feel like we actually do need that thing, even when we can’t afford it or don’t actually need it. This leads to overconsumption, which leads to overspending and ultimately, landfills that are filled to the brim with junk none of us probably needed in the first place.

So how can we combat overconsumption and spend more consciously?

There are really a lot of ways to combat overconsumption, but one big and fun way is to shop secondhand. With the amount of time I’ve spent thrifting, I’m truly amazed with the things people get rid of. I’m talking brand new, never used items, expensive pieces of furniture and home decor. I’m talking antiques, vintage pieces and so much more. But you know what? That just means those of us who enjoy the thrill of the hunt get to benefit, and so do our wallets.

According to a 2023 ThreadUp report, “If everyone bought one secondhand clothing item instead of new this year, it would save the equivalent of 76M cars taken off the road for a day, 37B hours of watching Netflix, 46B days of drinking water for one person.” That’s huge and just goes to show you how impactful buying secondhand really is.

It’s All About Balance

Of course there are times where we need to buy new items, and that’s okay. The point is that adjusting your buying habits even just a little bit can be so impactful. So that’s why I thought it’d be fun to share 5 things I never buy new and always buy secondhand just to give you an idea of what’s out there!

PIN FOR LATER!

Where to Find Secondhand Items

So if you’re new to thrifting and buying secondhand and don’t know where to start, here are some ideas!

Thrift stores: The thrift store is my number one place for finding quality secondhand items. I frequent one in particular, but like to visit others occasionally. Places like Goodwill are super popular in most areas, but don’t sleep on local thrift stores either. If you’re new to a particular town or area, I highly recommend joining your local community Facebook group and asking around. People are always excited to share their favorite places to thrift. There’s also stores like Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child that have higher standards than thrift stores when it comes to the clothing they sell, but you can often find a lot of great deals.
Garage sales: I don’t typically have great luck at garage sales, but you just never know! My tip is to look for garage sales in higher end neighborhoods because they typically are selling higher quality items. You can also keep your eyes peeled for estate sales if you’re looking for a wider range of items too.
Online thrift store: Online thrift stores like Mercari, Poshmark, Ebay and ThreadUp are great places to find more specific items. They have a wide variety of categories they sell in, so you’ll have a higher chance of finding what you’re interested in.
Facebook Marketplace: I’ve only ever bought one thing from Facebook Marketplace, but a lot of people swear by it. You can find a lot of great items locally.

Home Decor Items

Home decor is probably the number two thing I search for at the thrift store behind clothing. There are really tons of hidden gems at the thrift store and I’ve found some really beautiful and unique pieces. Here are a few things I love to look for when thrifting:

Baskets

There are always baskets at the thrift store, and I mean always. I’ve found so many quality baskets for only a few dollars a piece, including Longaberger baskets (iykyk). I love using baskets in so many ways in my home. Not only are they cute, but they’re functional too. I use them to store things on top of the refrigerator, as a place to throw our not dirty, but not clean clothes, in my kitchen and really everywhere throughout my home.

Lamps & Lampshades

My husband and I had a $10 lamp from Walmart as our only lamp for several years until that stopped working and we needed another lighting solution. Instead of spending a lot on a very cheaply made lamp, I headed to the thrift store. Over time, I’ve found several high quality lamps, including two brass lamps that are worth a lot more than I paid for them. I’ve even re-wired lamps to make them work again, which is super easy and inexpensive.

Speaking of lamps, you can also find so many lampshades secondhand that are high quality and cheap. Many times you’ll find nice lamps without the shade, but that’s no problem! I can almost guarantee you’ll be able to find the perfect shade for your lamp with just a bit of patience.

Picture Frames

I recently completed a beautiful gallery wall in my living room that is made entirely of secondhand picture frames. There is never a short supply of picture frames at my local thrift store. They’re often made of real wood and come in any size you can think of. Unless I have something very specific in mind, I never buy brand new picture frames.

Vases & Knick Knacks

Yes I know you can get vases for cheap from places like the Dollar Tree, but you also find them cheap at the thrift store, and you’ll often have a much more unique selection. You can also find really any type of knick knack you’re looking for. All you really need to do is be patient and go often and you’re likely to find things you’re looking for. And if you don’t and there’s something you really want or need, that’s okay, find it new! Remember it’s about balance!

Seasonal Decor

Seasonal decor is something I try to thrift, however this is a category that’s mixed for me. I buy some new and some secondhand. One of my favorite seasonal decor items to thrift are pieces for our Christmas village. We used to buy a new one every year from a big box store, but for the last few, we’ve been able to find unique pieces to continue growing our collection. I’ve bought Christmas trees, wreaths and much more, But I also tend to buy a few new pieces every year or when needed.

Clothing Items

At this point the majority of mine and my children’s closets are comprised of secondhand clothing. I always check out the clothing section of thrift stores and am almost always pleasantly surprised by the amount of name brand clothes I’m able to find at a really great price. Here are a few items I always look for:

Sweatshirts/Sweaters

Sweatshirts and sweaters are expensive, so I always look out for those items and have found so many good ones, including a 100% cashmere cardigan for only $4! I’ve found comfy sweatshirts, cozy sweaters, vests and even my kids winter jackets, all secondhand.

Shoes

Shoes are a little bit of a weird one. I always found it a bit gross seeing all the used shoes for sale, however, I’ve gotten over that a little bit. I’ve found several expensive tennis shoes and sandals (including a European leather sandal), all for $8 or less and I simply wash them and they’re usually good as new. That’s not to say that I rely solely on the thrift store for shoes. We definitely buy our kids new shoes every school year, my husband some for work and me occasionally. Again, it’s another case of reducing the amount of consumption just a little bit.

Kids Clothes

I thrift the majority of my kids clothes because they’re growing and they’re rough on their clothes. I don’t see the point in really investing big money in my kids’ wardrobe when they’ll outgrow it within a year or two anyway. Instead, I like to find good quality name brand clothes like Oshkosh B’Gosh, Carters, Cat and Jack, Nike, etc. because I know they’ll hold up and can be passed down either from my oldest to my youngest or my youngest to someone we know. I am really picky however when finding pieces because a lot of times clothes will be stained or just beat up, but I promise you, if you have a little patience, there are tons of real hidden gems.

Office Supplies

While I’m not usually in the market for office supplies, I have found a few things and almost always see office items at the thrift. I’ve found magazine holders, a stapler, binders, hole punches, wire baskets, desk organizers and so much more. If you’re in the market for those types of items, I highly recommend checking for secondhand items first.

Furniture

Over the past handful of years, I’ve made a conscious decision to fill my home with good quality, solid wood furniture, as opposed to the cheaply made particle board furniture we’ve had for the last decade. Thrift stores, estate sales, consignment shops, Facebook Marketplace and even garage sales are great places to find high quality solid wood pieces. That being said, sometimes you may have to be willing to put a little bit of elbow grease and time into restoring them or making them into what you want, but I promise it’s worth it. Here are a few examples of items I’ve found cheap secondhand and made into the perfect pieces for my home:

Kitchen Items

Kitchen items can be hit or miss at secondhand stores, BUT you can also find really quality pieces too. For instance, I’ve seen full sets of brand new or almost brand new pots and pans for half the price you can find them in store. Here’s what I look for:

Cast iron: People often get rid of cast iron when it becomes rusty, but did you know it’s super easy to restore cast iron back to its original glory? I’ve found a few cast iron pans for only a few dollars each and was able to re-season them and restore them to their former glory!

Glassware: I don’t typically have a need for new glassware, but you’ll be shocked to find how much there is at the thrift stores. From genuine crystal, punch bowls and cups, mason jars, regular drinking glasses and so much more. Just a word of caution that when it comes to vintage glassware, it can contain lead.

China: The amount of fine china sets I see when thrifting is actually crazy. If you’re in the market for a china set, you’re almost bound to find something. Again, be aware that some may contain lead.

Seasonal bakeware: Thrift stores are a great place to find seasonal bakeware like special Christmas cookie trays and molds.

Bakeware: Things like muffin tins, pie dishes, loaf pans, casserole dishes and more are in abundance. I just make sure that there are no scratches in these items before purchasing, just for my own piece of mind.

In Conclusion

Of course I will leave a little caveat, and that is to say, I still do buy certain items brand new. I think that overall, it’s hard to avoid. There are items that I simply don’t feel comfortable buying secondhand, and that’s okay. Even if you reduce the amount you’re buying new by a little, that’s better than nothing.

Happy thrifting!