Comments on: 5 Things I Bought New and Wish I Hadn’t http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/ Coupons, Frugal Living Tips, and Personal Finance Tips to Make Life A Little Easier Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:45:59 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Courtney McLaughlin http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-2068 Courtney McLaughlin Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:50:07 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-2068 Hello! If anybody is looking for some inventive ideas on how to make your house more beautiful while saving money, read "The Little Book of Thrifty Fixes for the Home" by Bridget Bodoano. She recommends using maps for wallpaper (I have seen this at a teahouse near my home and it looks really cool) and tablecloths or sheets as curtains. Curtain shopping is always a nightmare because they're sooo expensive and ugly, but after reading the book I'm excited to go shopping for sheets to hang in my windows! Hello!
If anybody is looking for some inventive ideas on how to make your house more beautiful while saving money, read “The Little Book of Thrifty Fixes for the Home” by Bridget Bodoano. She recommends using maps for wallpaper (I have seen this at a teahouse near my home and it looks really cool) and tablecloths or sheets as curtains. Curtain shopping is always a nightmare because they’re sooo expensive and ugly, but after reading the book I’m excited to go shopping for sheets to hang in my windows!

]]> By: Jenn http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-1313 Jenn Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:43:18 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-1313 Really, there's not much that I haven't bought used, although I head to the thrift store often enough that, inevitably, the things I need will show up sooner or later. But, my best things to thrift are: - clothes (for many of the reasons already listed - I have a lovely, flattering wardrobe of stuff that hasn't cost me more than $10 per piece) - kitchenware (I love my cheap cast iron pots and pans and solid silver silverware) - bikes (especially if you or someone you know can repair them) Really, there’s not much that I haven’t bought used, although I head to the thrift store often enough that, inevitably, the things I need will show up sooner or later. But, my best things to thrift are:
- clothes (for many of the reasons already listed – I have a lovely, flattering wardrobe of stuff that hasn’t cost me more than $10 per piece)
- kitchenware (I love my cheap cast iron pots and pans and solid silver silverware)
- bikes (especially if you or someone you know can repair them)

]]> By: Peggy http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-497 Peggy Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:17:18 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-497 Why stop at jeans?? I clothe myself, 2 daughters and husband for very little... the only thing we buy new are his jeans and boots for work. When I was a kid- we got hand-me-downs from the cousins, and how I loved that soft, broken-in feel of those new (to me) clothes!! I still love it!! Plus, everything I buy at the thrift store, I know is most likely not going to shrink any more or bleed color when I wash it! Two of the main things I hate about buying new! And I've taught my kids that it's like going on a treasure hunt, you never know what you'll find at the thrift store!! Most recent celebrated acquisition?? A bag ful of kitchen cupboard handles for $5 (by my estimate worth about $75-$80). I was going to replace my nasty ones anyway, and I only had to buy 3 more, and they were easy to match! They are already on and look great!! My old ones went right back in the bag and are going back to the thrift store, just in case someone else has worse ones than mine were... lol Why stop at jeans?? I clothe myself, 2 daughters and husband for very little… the only thing we buy new are his jeans and boots for work. When I was a kid- we got hand-me-downs from the cousins, and how I loved that soft, broken-in feel of those new (to me) clothes!! I still love it!! Plus, everything I buy at the thrift store, I know is most likely not going to shrink any more or bleed color when I wash it! Two of the main things I hate about buying new! And I’ve taught my kids that it’s like going on a treasure hunt, you never know what you’ll find at the thrift store!!
Most recent celebrated acquisition?? A bag ful of kitchen cupboard handles for $5 (by my estimate worth about $75-$80). I was going to replace my nasty ones anyway, and I only had to buy 3 more, and they were easy to match! They are already on and look great!! My old ones went right back in the bag and are going back to the thrift store, just in case someone else has worse ones than mine were… lol

]]> By: Kyle http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-446 Kyle Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:12:21 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-446 @ Four Pillars, good call on the library, funny how the old method is often better than the new "cool" way. We have a new library where I live and it is a great place to get kids interested in reading as well. @ Dong, yeah the savings is not huge by any stretch of the imagination but it can add up. @ MM, I do this all the time as well, a much cheaper way to go as many CDs only have 2-3 good songs I want on them. @ Four Pillars, good call on the library, funny how the old method is often better than the new “cool” way. We have a new library where I live and it is a great place to get kids interested in reading as well.

@ Dong, yeah the savings is not huge by any stretch of the imagination but it can add up.

@ MM, I do this all the time as well, a much cheaper way to go as many CDs only have 2-3 good songs I want on them.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-440 Mrs. Micah Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:14:58 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-440 I was thinking about this and I think a good way to buy used/new music is using iTunes and other such programs. That way you can buy only what you want. Full albums are also often cheaper than in stores. Plus they're burnable if you want a hardcopy. I was thinking about this and I think a good way to buy used/new music is using iTunes and other such programs. That way you can buy only what you want. Full albums are also often cheaper than in stores. Plus they’re burnable if you want a hardcopy.

]]> By: dong http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-439 dong Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:07:17 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-439 Yeah i think with digital media like CDs, DVDs, and video games, there's really not much reason to buy new unless it's just to get at release. That said, the used prices often aren't a gigantic discount. Yeah i think with digital media like CDs, DVDs, and video games, there’s really not much reason to buy new unless it’s just to get at release. That said, the used prices often aren’t a gigantic discount.

]]> By: FourPillars http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-434 FourPillars Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:24:20 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-434 Some great suggestions. Offhand I'd say any kind of baby stuff (except maybe soothers...) can be bought used. Furniture - yes - hard to buy if you want something specific but if you aren't picky then you'll get a great deal. Books - I've started getting books out of the library this year and needless to say it's a lot cheaper than buying. It's also easier to read more because you don't have to worry so much if the book will be "worth it". I also take a look at yard sales, but this is only worthwhile if you like popular books. Mike Some great suggestions.

Offhand I’d say any kind of baby stuff (except maybe soothers…) can be bought used.

Furniture – yes – hard to buy if you want something specific but if you aren’t picky then you’ll get a great deal.

Books – I’ve started getting books out of the library this year and needless to say it’s a lot cheaper than buying. It’s also easier to read more because you don’t have to worry so much if the book will be “worth it”. I also take a look at yard sales, but this is only worthwhile if you like popular books.

Mike

]]> By: Kandy http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Kandy Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:21:41 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-433 Things I buy used more often than new: *books (especially hardcover, first edition...those are my addiction) *comic books *furniture (the only *new* furniture I've bought in almost 7 years was my recliner, and I got it for 75% off during a huge clearance sale) *vehicles (we went to buy a new van in 2002 after the birth of our 3rd child and walked out with a 4 month old, 8000 mile, fully loaded van for almost $11,000 cheaper than it sold for originally) *groceries...yes, groceries. Not *new* but not really *used* either. I LOVE our salvage grocery. The packaging may be damaged or ugly, but the food inside is still pristine and can be had for 50-80% off *jeans, dresses, shirts. NO shoes or underwear though. That's all I can think of off-hand. Fun topic :) Things I buy used more often than new:

*books (especially hardcover, first edition…those are my addiction)
*comic books
*furniture (the only *new* furniture I’ve bought in almost 7 years was my recliner, and I got it for 75% off during a huge clearance sale)
*vehicles (we went to buy a new van in 2002 after the birth of our 3rd child and walked out with a 4 month old, 8000 mile, fully loaded van for almost $11,000 cheaper than it sold for originally)
*groceries…yes, groceries. Not *new* but not really *used* either. I LOVE our salvage grocery. The packaging may be damaged or ugly, but the food inside is still pristine and can be had for 50-80% off
*jeans, dresses, shirts. NO shoes or underwear though.

That’s all I can think of off-hand.

Fun topic :)

]]> By: Kyle http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-429 Kyle Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:52:46 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-429 Good point on the used games. I have a couple younger cousins who are big gamers and the way they treat their games would make me hesitate on buying used games and CDs. I would definitely buy used games from a place like Gamestop that has a guarantee that the games will actually work. Good point on the used games. I have a couple younger cousins who are big gamers and the way they treat their games would make me hesitate on buying used games and CDs. I would definitely buy used games from a place like Gamestop that has a guarantee that the games will actually work.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-427 Andrew Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:34:21 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-427 Being a comic book fan/collector, I've bought plenty of used books. That just comes with the territory. I agree with most of your list, Kyle, though like MM said, you have to be real careful with electronics. Refurbished ipods direct from Apple I could see trusting. But I don't even like buying used video games from stores like GameStop. I know they're way cheaper, but I've been burned way too many times getting my hands on a game that was a bit more scratched than I originally thought it was... Being a comic book fan/collector, I’ve bought plenty of used books. That just comes with the territory. I agree with most of your list, Kyle, though like MM said, you have to be real careful with electronics. Refurbished ipods direct from Apple I could see trusting. But I don’t even like buying used video games from stores like GameStop. I know they’re way cheaper, but I’ve been burned way too many times getting my hands on a game that was a bit more scratched than I originally thought it was…

]]> By: Kyle http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-426 Kyle Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:12:49 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-426 Nice find on the jeans! It seems that Japanese cars hold their value better. My wife has a Toyota Sienna and it has really held its value well. Nice find on the jeans!

It seems that Japanese cars hold their value better. My wife has a Toyota Sienna and it has really held its value well.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-425 Jennifer Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:10:25 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-425 I'm so with you on trucks AND jeans. I thought I got a good deal on a 1 year old, very low miles truck until the 2nd year depreciation hit. OUCH. And my latest pair of jeans are GAP, very comfy, like new, and cost me only $5. They retail for $65. I’m so with you on trucks AND jeans. I thought I got a good deal on a 1 year old, very low miles truck until the 2nd year depreciation hit. OUCH. And my latest pair of jeans are GAP, very comfy, like new, and cost me only $5. They retail for $65.

]]> By: Kyle http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-423 Kyle Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:12:34 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-423 MM, Agree on the electronics, never sure exactly what you are getting if you buy it used. A couple other things that you can typically find good value on is kids/baby clothes and toys. My mom has always found good baby stuff at Thrift stores for us. MM, Agree on the electronics, never sure exactly what you are getting if you buy it used.

A couple other things that you can typically find good value on is kids/baby clothes and toys. My mom has always found good baby stuff at Thrift stores for us.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/comment-page-1/#comment-422 Mrs. Micah Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:10:58 +0000 http://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2007/10/19/5-things-bought-new/#comment-422 I also like used jeans. There's normally something in good condition...I haven't bought them from a "real" store in years. Used furniture is normally a bargain unless there's a "look" you're going for. Used electronics are touch-and-go...the refurbished iPod sounds good, but a used tv is taking a chance. My two cents. I also like used jeans. There’s normally something in good condition…I haven’t bought them from a “real” store in years.

Used furniture is normally a bargain unless there’s a “look” you’re going for.

Used electronics are touch-and-go…the refurbished iPod sounds good, but a used tv is taking a chance.

My two cents.

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