5 Things You Don’t Need to Buy New

It’s true! We all need stuff. But many of the items we need to live can be obtained without buying brand new. In several instances, buying new can be an unnecessary waste of money, and may exacerbate the problem of environmental waste.

Often, pre-owned items bring BIG savings and more value for money when compared to new options. Alternatively, there are some items you don’t need to buy at all! They can be obtained through other means like renting, borrowing, and refurbishing. Check out my post on The Buyerarchy of Needs for a full guide on how to fulfill your needs while using buying as a last resort. 

Now, let’s jump into my top five list of items that you don’t need to buy brand new.

Electronics

You can save hundreds of dollars buying used tech items on sites like eBay and Amazon. TVs, laptop computers and smartphones that have been returned, slightly used, or damaged in a warehouse but have been restored can be obtained at a huge discount. The last laptop I bought was “manufacturer refurbished” on eBay, which meant that it was returned to and restored by, the manufacturer. At a fraction of the cost, I got the latest model of the laptop I wanted in mint condition and it came with a full warranty, as it would on a brand-new model. Honestly, I couldn’t tell that it wasn’t brand new from looking at it or using it. And the best part, it gave me over five years of drama-free use (experts estimate a laptop’s lifespan to be three to five years). My current iPhone was also pre-owned from eBay, bought in mint condition, cost me less than half the price of a brand new model, and has been serving me well for the past three years!

Books

Books are ideal for borrowing, be it from a library or a friend. It’s one of the few items on this list that you can avoid buying altogether. Some books such as textbooks, however, may not be available at your local library or friend circle and have to be purchased. In those instances, e-books may give access at a much cheaper cost and use up none of the materials or space of a physical book. For me, flipping through physical pages as I delve into a good read is ideal. Thus, when I buy, I head to Amazon to find cheap used books, which are often as good as new.

Furniture

Furniture is probably one of the most expensive household items you’ll purchase. So any savings in this category can be extremely worthwhile. People move all the time and are always looking for easy ways to get perfectly good furniture off of their hands. Do them a favour and fill your space with beautiful furnishings at just a fraction of the cost. When persons comment on my dining room set (which I’m very proud to say is preowned) it’s not to ask if it’s a second-hand item but instead, to ask where I bought it. Just have it cleaned to your comfort and enjoy the savings.

Alternatively, if you already have furniture but feel like it’s time for something new and fresh, try reupholstering or refinishing for a brand new look instead of getting rid of what you have.

Clothing items

In my blog post A Beginner’s Guide to a Sustainable Wardrobe, I discuss several ways you can avoid buying new clothing. These include repairing and repurposing old clothing, buying used, trading with friends and family, and even renting. All new clothing can be avoided, but you can start with specific items like special occasion clothing –  these are items you may only wear once or twice; maternity clothing – you only wear these a few months out of your ENTIRE LIFE; baby clothing – babies grow out of their clothes by the DAY!

Tools

Taking on a small home project? Maybe it’s a good idea to borrow a power drill or ladder instead of spending a ton for one or two uses. However, if you’re handy, you may want to keep some tools on hand. It’s easy to find a wide variety of barely-used hand tools available at a great discount on sites like eBay, even with a warranty. If you are buying it from someone in person, be sure to examine the power cord and other aspects closely to make sure that is working properly and doesn’t have any defects.

There are several other items that you’d probably be better off with not buying new. So be on the lookout for another list!