21

Tip #3 "Second-hand first"

This tip is very simple, but maybe feels hard in the beginning, depending on the facilites in your country: If you think of items that you need and want to buy, ALWAYS first look second hand! There are several platforms online, both national and international, where people exchange stuff for a low bid or even free. And in many countries, you will even find smaller and and bigger thrift stores, where you can find these items. Of course, you still need to check the consdition and quality. But that is what you would do on a "regular" shopping trip anyways, right?

Example: Personally, I find it fun to set a date once in a while for searching 3-5 thrift stores in my area for anything I am still missing. (See list from tipp #1.) I keep it short, search focused for item X and then at the end of the day buy it or leave it. In my opinion, that is about the same effort, or less, when doing a "regular" shopping trip.

TL;DR: Search for your wanted items in second-hand stores or online marketplaces. Often you find what you need, in still good condition and cheaper. Also you give these items a longer life. And the effort is similar/lower to "new shopping" if you do it focused.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Libb@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

TL;DR: Search for your wanted items in second-hand stores or online marketplaces.

+1 to this :)

My personal method looks like this:

Whatever I need (that I don't want to be new and provided it has already been put long enough in my 'I need' shopping list to make sure I really need it) I will

  1. see if I can DIY. When not, I will
  2. see if I can borrow it from someone I know. If not (or if not applicable), I will
  3. see if I can purchase it used. First in local thrift/used stores then online. If not, or if I really can't wait to find it used (because this can take time: it's not rare I wait a few months to be able to purchase a used copy of this or that book I wish to read) I will
  4. buy it new.

One can even start by checking with their neighbors, or friends, or family. Which can, also be a neat way to see if one can make arrangements with them to... buy less stuff together.

I mean, as an example, I read quite a few print magazines and newspapers and it happens so does one of our neighbors. It also happen the dude and I share a few common interests and were reading the exact same stuff. We agreed on purchasing different ones and to share them. This almost halved our respective subscription costs, at once. reduced the amount of wasted paper, and deliveries too. Plus, it also helped us if not to become close friends at least to appreciate talking to one another ;)

this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2025
21 points (100.0% liked)

Anticonsumption

295 readers
2 users here now

founded 5 months ago
MODERATORS