One person's trash is another person's treasure, right? True as this old saying may be, you don't often hear about how much work it takes to uncover a slightly-used gleaming gem.
Saving money is great, but what exactly does being thrifty have to do with being green? I have one word for you: reuse.
When it comes to reusing, most American's think of the 3 R's or how they can use that plastic bag they got from the grocery store more than once. While that's good, there's a lot more than just plastic that deserves a second time around.
What to Look For:
The myth that you're limited when it comes to shopping secondhand is just that: a myth. No matter what you're looking for, there's a good chance that you can find it (or a part of it) at a thrift store. The following list gives a general idea of what to look for the next time you think to buy used:
- Books
- Music
- Clothing
- Linens
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Sports Gear
Where to Find It:
When it comes to buying secondhand, you have more options than you may think. Whether you take your chances sifting through used books at a neighborhood garage sale, or you prefer to browse through ads online, knowing your shopping options is sure to cut down your search time.
- Small Chain Thrift Stores: You may have never heard of these shops before, but you'll often find them along Main Street in any small city or town.
- National Thrift Stores: Stores like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and ARC Thrift Stores, can be found in several (if not all) states across the U.S. Any city with a population of 10,000 or more virtually guarantees you'll find one of these.
- Secondhand Specialty Stores: There aren't many (if any) national consignment stores, but you're bound to find upscale consignment stores in larger cities across the U.S. Specialty stores will only carry items of a certain type, so make sure you know what you're looking for before you scout it out.
- Garage Sales: The best and worst thing about garage sales is that you never know what you're going to find. Planning your Saturday morning around a few garage sales in close proximity to each other could end up a total bust, or an absolute goldmine - it's all a matter of luck.
- Online: With the uprising of virtual locales like eBay and Craigslist, you don't even have to leave your couch to look for used items. While many online swap meets allow you to buy and sell from states, or even countries away, try to select items that are available within 100 miles or less of your home to help keep shipping costs, and carbon emissions, down.
