Advantages of Buying Used

Growing up in a family of 9, I was very fortunate to have been blessed with everything that I had. My dad worked extremely hard to provide for us and to give my mom the opportunity to stay at home and take care of all 7 kids. Looking back, one thing I admire about my mom was her way of making use of the things that we already had. She rarely bought anything new. With 7 little bodies to clothe, she shopped consignment stores from time to time. Back then, I hated the idea of wearing someone else's worn clothes but now that I'm a mom and have realized the benefits and importance of using pre-existing resources, it makes me more appreciative of this aspect she instilled in me.

Some great reasons to buying used includes:

• Lower price
• Recycling (the more we all recycle, the less pollutants in the air from manufacturers producing more products. I'd say that's green and lessening our carbon footprint!)
• Reduces waste (buying something used saves it from being added to a landfill)
  
• Finding things that are discontinued and no longer made (I don't know about you but I love vintage finds!)
  
• Items are often unique (such as home decor, dishes, furniture)
  
• Supports local economy
• Gives connection to the community (shop yard and garage sales and meet those that are in your surrounding neighborhoods)
  
• No sales tax
• No buyer's remorse (you can't feel bad if you bought something for $2 and later decide you don't like it. $2 beats $20. You can easily donate it without feeling like you wasted your money)

I don't buy everything used but I make a conscious effort to do so. If we are in need or want of something, I initially ask myself if it is something I could find on craigslist, at Goodwill, a thrift store, or a consignment shop. Most often times, I can most likely buy it used. The main reason I take advantage of used items is to preserve our planet. Buying used items eliminates the production of new resources and the generation of pollution. Anything plastic is produced by pumping oil from the earth. It also saves carbon emissions, pesticides, and toxic chemicals from being put into our environment. That's enough reason for me.