Why I Buy Used Whenever Possible.

So a little intro into my inexpensive lifestyle….If you’ve read ANY of my posts on money, it becomes pretty clear that I’m not one to waste money. I was raised by a very cheap mother and a financially wasteful father, and I was terrified to spend money.

Now, I don’t fear it, but I’m just not a wasteful person. I don’t enjoy clutter, and I enjoy watching my money grow. I mean honestly, if you think about a $100 purchase only once a year, and imagine if that had been well invested for a 7% gain, that would mean you lose out on $107 after one year, and then add 7% to that new amount EVERY year. Thirty years from now, that $100 would be worth over $7000, and if you spend more like $2000 a year on things that don’t transform your life, that $2000 if worth over $15000 in 30 years.

I was raised buying used items, Used clothes, used housewares…. You would NOT believe the stuff I’ve found either.

I would say I buy less than I used to used, but I also just generally buy less in general (I buy WAY more groceries now).

You may need to hunt around for the store that has nice, quality items at a bargain, that’s the first task. If you go to a thrift store thats selling Old Navy t-shirts for $7, RUN… don’t walk, get in your vehicle and drive away. If you don’t drive, run home.

A good thrift store has both good prices and good quality merchandise. I also aim to find stores with a ton of merchandise, and I like ones where the money goes to charity. When I lived in San Diego, I went to the AMVETS thrift store. Money went to veterans, it was large, the prices were awesome AND they had a ton of stuff, so even though it could take some time to get through the unpleasant items, I always found neat stuff.

I save so much money. I love shopping, and used to shop at Marshalls and TJMaxx stores that have the highest end designer stuff, but even discounting, I was spending entirely too much. I’ve reigned in the shopping, but now I spend $10 on an outfit instead of $75 on up. I still head over to Marshalls and TX Maxx for undies and Christmas gift, and a wide variety of discount cold-pressed oils to cook with, but I don’t go bonkers.

As a family, I doubt we spend more than $250 a year on clothing, and that includes my husband’s affinity for $30 t-shirts. Its not our priority. I rarely buy stuff thats not for the kids and I have several awesome thrift stores I hit up for them, and they don’t know or care and they’re dressed well. I would add, their nicest clothes are the thrifted ones. Their Grandmas but them stuff from Walmart and I get them designer stuff at $1 a piece in perfect condition.

No brainer.

How much do you spend on clothing annually?

On Housewares?

Would you Thrift for some cool stuff?

Tell me what you find in the comments…