If you know me personally or follow me on Instagram at @successinthebag, you probably already know that I love a good thrift find. Some of my favorite reels to make are my thrifting videos, and there’s just something about finding exactly what you were looking for—or something you didn’t even know you needed—for a fraction of the original price.
While I genuinely enjoy the hunt, buying secondhand is also one of my favorite ways to save money without necessarily sacrificing quality. In some cases, your budget can actually get you something nicer used than it could new. Of course, there are certain things I’d rather buy brand new, but these are five categories where I almost always think it’s worth checking secondhand first.
Furniture might be my favorite thing to buy secondhand because older pieces are often solid wood and incredibly well made. Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on something new, Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, thrift stores, and antique shops can be full of pieces with plenty of life left in them. A little paint, new hardware, or even just a good cleaning can completely transform a piece, and you may end up with something much more unique than what you would have found in a big-box store.
As I’ve started looking at everything we’ll need for a baby, I’ve quickly realized just how much gear comes along with someone so tiny. Many baby items are only used for a few months before they're outgrown, which means the secondhand market is full of barely used swings, bouncers, high chairs, clothes, toys, and nursery furniture.
There are definitely some baby items where safety comes before savings. Car seats, for example, are something I personally plan to buy new so I know their full history. But for plenty of other items, shopping secondhand can make a lot of sense—especially when you consider how quickly babies move on to the next stage.
Tools are another category where buying used can save a significant amount of money, especially for something you may only need occasionally. Yard tools, power tools, and basic hand tools can often be found at estate sales, Marketplace, and yard sales for much less than retail. Quality tools are designed to last, so something doesn't necessarily need to be brand new to have years of use left in it.
From patio furniture and grills to kayaks, bikes, and beach gear, outdoor equipment can get expensive quickly. It's also the kind of stuff people buy with the best intentions and then realize they don't use nearly as often as they expected. That makes Marketplace and local resale groups great places to look before paying full price. Just make sure you inspect what you're buying and confirm that everything works properly before bringing it home.
Books are probably one of the easiest things to buy secondhand. Thrift stores, used bookstores, library sales, and online resale sites are full of books for a fraction of their original price. Unless you're looking for a brand-new release or something very specific, there's usually very little reason to pay full price. And once you're finished, you can pass it along, donate it, or trade it for something new to read.
Buying secondhand isn't just about spending less. It's about being a little more intentional with what you're buying and recognizing that something doesn't have to be brand new to have value. It can also keep perfectly good items out of landfills while supporting local thrift stores, antique shops, and small businesses in the process.
I'm sure I'll always love the thrill of finding something great for a fraction of what it would have cost new. And if it happens to make its way into a @successinthebag thrifting reel afterward, even better.
Before you pay full price for your next purchase, it might be worth checking secondhand first. You never know what you'll find.