When my son was first born, aside from the hand me downs we received from family, most of his things was purchased new at retail prices. Eventually this became unsustainable on one income and we turned to shopping secondhand to fill our needs for clothes, books and toys. As babies and kids outgrow their clothes and toys so quickly, we were able to find all the items we needed at a huge cost savings, while feeling better about reducing waste and extending the lifespan of products. When he outgrew those items, we would then re-sell them so that another family could make use of them and reap the same benefits. These were our reasons for shopping secondhand as our first option.
Cost Savings: We were able to find secondhand items much cheaper than buying new, which was particularly beneficial as we were on a budget.
Environmental Benefits: Buying secondhand reduces the demand for new products which not only reduces the amount of resources required to manufacture these products, but also decrease the amount of waste ending up in the landfills.
Unique Finds: Whether shopping at thrift stores or on marketplace, we were able to find unique and one-of-a-kind items that were not available in traditional retail stores. This included vintage clothing, and items with character and history. Dressing my boy in vintage items from our childhood brought back a lot of nostalgia.
Supporting Local Communities: Many secondhand stores are small businesses that contribute to the local economy, and many local thrift stores are charitable organizations. By shopping secondhand, you can support these businesses and charities, helping them thrive.
Reducing Waste: Buying secondhand extends the lifespan of products and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Higher Quality Items: Some secondhand items are of higher quality than their modern counterparts. Vintage clothing, for example, may be made with better materials and craftsmanship than mass-produced clothing available today.
What are your reasons for shopping secondhand first ?