Simple Ways to Save Your Health, Money, and Planet: Tip 9
Part 9 of a 10 Part Series
See Tip 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
"I'm gonna pop some tags, only got $20 in my pocket.." It's not just a catchy Macklemore song. Shopping at secondhand stores and yard sales can save you money, and give clothing and items a completely new opportunity for use! It's true that styles come and go, and there are trends of clothing and products that you want to stay up-to-date with. However, it's quite astonishing to think about how much "stuff" already exists on this planet. There are probably millions of articles of clothing and still functioning items that are sitting in thrift stores and garages just waiting to be used, while at the same time companies are generating millions more new products every day. By choosing to buy secondhand clothes and items, you can help divert perfectly usable products from ending up in a landfill and lessen the demand for more "stuff" to be produced.
Cheaper than most stores -
You can find great clothes, appliances, toys, and furniture often at prices dramatically
lower than department stores.
Recycle -
Instead of throwing away things you don't use anymore, donate them or offer family and
neighbors to take a look. Also check out Freecycle and the free section on Craigslist.
Unique Finds -
Shop savvy knowing you are supporting the local economy and buying products that no
one else will have! Also try clothing swaps with friends to find new potential in old items.
My favorite part about shopping at secondhand stores or yard/garage sales is the fun and unique things you come across. There are great clothes and items that already exist, so why not use them? So many of our resources go into the creation of new stuff, but imagine everything else that we could be using those resources for. Donating your clothes and functioning products, or offering them to friends and family instead of throwing them away, is a great place to start. Try going to your local thrift stores or checking out online sites that allow you to purchase secondhand furniture, appliances, gadgets, and clothes. I found that bigger cities tend to have a greater selection and variety of products, but small town thrift stores often have hidden treasures that are a score to find. Save your money and move away from the disposable lifestyle that we have accepted for so long by recycling wearable and reusable items.