I’m a huge, huge fan of buying things used, mostly because it’s a great way to save money. However, there are some things that are okay to buy used, and some things you should probably go ahead and buy new, despite the greater expense. Here’s a list of what you can (usually) buy used safely.

Usually when I buy something used, it’s something I really need, like food, deodorant, or medicine. I don’t know what the big deal is. All you have to do is scrape off the green parts and cut out the rot and that hamburger’s just as good as it was when it wasn’t 6 months old! Besides, that mold might be penicillin, and that means you picked up dinner and a cure for gangrene at the same time. Never know when that’s going to come in handy, right?

All grossness aside, I rarely buy new CDs, DVDs, or video games. Most of the furniture in my house right now is hand-me-down stuff from other relatives who swapped out for newer things, except for the refrigerator, oven, and the plush recliner. If something has a ton of fabric to it, I tend to buy it new or only take used pieces from people I know to be clean, trustworthy non-smokers, as you don’t know what sorts of things people might dribble onto the couch and it takes forever to get the smell of cigarettes out of anything. I bought a 1992 Buick LeSabre with leather interior and power everything at an auction 6 years ago, and it’s running as well now as it did when I first got it (maybe even better).

There are only two things I can think of that would stop someone from buying used: lack of status and lack of knowledge. Most people don’t know what’s in good condition and what’s not in good condition, and are reluctant to admit this in public by having a mechanic or inspector go over their used purchases before purchasing them. Sure it might cost a little money to get someone to inspect your new used car, but it’s worth it in the end.

It’s not as flashy as a shiny new vehicle, and certainly lacks that awesome new car smell, but it’s cheaper and it’ll get you where you need to go!

Image Credit, and good reading if you’re looking for a used car: Edmunds.com

Tags: expert advice, saving money, buying used, yard sale, garage sale, pawn shop

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