Money Saver: How to Save Money by Buying Used Clothing, Furniture, and More

Clothing and accessories – buying in person

Sometimes it’s good to see clothing and accessories IRL so you can try them on and inspect them for damages. Check out local consignment shops for a more curated experience, or larger format stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. The bigger stores can be overwhelming so take your time.

PRO TIP: Always throw used clothing in the dryer for at least an hour before wearing them. This will kill any critters that have come along for the ride!


If you have small children, look for bulk sales on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Sellers will often bundle items according to age.

PRO TIP: Ask questions of the seller regarding the condition, styles, and brands. When meeting up with a seller in person, exercise caution by meeting in a public place.

Clothing and accessories – buying online

Buying used does not mean that you have to compromise on quality. Sites like Poshmark (click here to get $10 to shop at Poshmark), ThredUP, and The RealReal, allow shoppers to find beautiful items at a far lower price than buying new. Many of these platforms sell kid’s clothes, too! And, you can sell your gently-used clothing to these sites for cash or credit. PRO TIP: If buying designer items, don’t be afraid to ask for authentication documents so you can be sure that what you are buying is the real deal.

Clothing and accessories – retailers that re-sell

Brands like Patagonia, REI, and Levi’s have their own resell subsections in support of their sustainability missions. While the Patagonia Worn Wear program isn’t necessarily secondhand clothing, Patagonia uses material from traded-in Patagonia clothing to make upcycled pieces. For a more classic secondhand store setup, check out REI Good & Used or Levi’s Secondhand.

Brands like American Eagle, H&M, and the Gap, have partnered with ThredUp to introduce pre-loved collections where customers can buy secondhand items from ThredUp in categories like kids, women’s, denim, and athletic wear. New items from past collabs will also be available.

Tech

Popular retailers, like Amazon, Best Buy, Target & Walmart offer pre-owned and refurbished tech, including desktops, laptops, tablets, headphones, phones, and gaming consoles.

PRO TIP: Look specifically for certified/warrantied items in case something goes wrong. This applies especially to Amazon where you could be purchasing from a third party. Also, always familiarize yourself with return policies and potential re-stocking fees should you need to return the item you’ve purchased.
You can also buy secondhand electronics, like laptops, phones, and tablets, from individual sellers through platforms, like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp. You often have the option to meet in person or have the item shipped.

PRO TIP: If meeting in person, meet in a public place and ideally bring someone with you.

Decluttr, GizmoGo, Backmarket, and Gazelle are platforms where you can buy and sell. These businesses purchase items from consumers, carefully inspect and repair them, and make them available for sale. There are more assurances in place when purchasing from one of these platforms versus buying from an individual seller.

You can also go straight to your favorite brand. Apple’s Certified Refurbished and Samsung’s Re-Newed programs allow consumers to purchase like-new warrantied products, and trade in their older products if need be.

Furniture and home decor

Places like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, thrift stores, and consignment shops will have well-priced items, however, with the rise of resellers and the popularity of “vintage” items, some pieces may be priced higher than you’d expect. If a price seems high, Google the item to see if you can find prices for the same/similar items online.
You can also visit yard sales and estate sales. After all, nothing beats a good “everything must go” yard sale where prices will be rock bottom! Estate sales are typically higher priced, but good finds are still available especially if you go on the last day. Local Facebook groups and NextDoor are good places to learn about nearby sales.

PRO TIP: Spend the time to scrutinize each piece before purchasing. Ask for discounts if you find imperfections.

An item that you like may need a touchup or a repair, which is fine if you’re handy and you have the time. Avoid too many DIYs that potentially won’t get finished.

If you’re more of an online person, sites like Chairish have used furniture. Etsy is another site to check out as it has unique pieces of upcycled furniture. The pricing on these sites can potentially be higher than in-store finds, but it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a unique piece to spruce up your home.