Choosing Secondhand First

In an effort to live more sustainably, I have been trying to choose secondhand items before buying new items.  Giving used items a second life prevents them from ending up in landfills and it saves me money too!  There are an overwhelming number of secondhand options out there.  It's been surprisingly easy to find specific, quality items. 

I also find myself enjoying secondhand items more than new items because they come with a history.  For example, the table Adam recently refinished for our kitchen was from his childhood.  We found out from his dad that it was actually bought in Guam, where his parents were stationed when Adam was born!  How fun is that?!  We also recently bought a Pottery Barn bed for Archer on Facebook Marketplace.  After talking with the sellers, we learned it had been their 15 year old son's childhood bed.  It made me happy to know it would continue on in another little boy's life and I think it made the sellers feel better knowing it would live on as well.

My goal in sharing about my love of buying pre-loved items is to help normalize secondhand shopping.  Secondhand items often get a bad rap.  People tend to assume they somehow have lesser quality and there's a social stigma for using secondhand items.  I grew up going to garage sales with my mom and getting hand-me-downs from my cousin Becky.  I've appreciated those items just as much (often even more!) than new items I've received.  

Here are some of my favorite ways to get excellent-quality secondhand items: 

My Buy Nothing Group 

I recently came across something called The Buy Nothing Project.  The mission of the project states: "We offer people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through a worldwide network of hyper-local gift economies in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people who are real-life neighbors."  Basically, you can join a group (the groups are on Facebook at this time, though they are working on a separate app) based on where you live.  Once you've joined a group, you can gift items you no longer need or want or ask for things you do need or want.  It's such a special way to connect with your neighbors.  

I have been able to pass along a lot stuff I wasn't using and give it to people who could actually use it.  I have also greatly benefited from my neighbors' generosity!  I have asked for and received tomato cages for my garden, a mini muffin pan, a shepherd's hook for my hummingbird feeder, dresses, doll clothes, board games and more!  The gratitude piece of the project really makes the group special.  I shared some of Archer's pajamas that he outgrew with someone in our group.  She sent me a picture of her son wearing Archer's outgrown pajamas and it warmed my heart so much!

My enthusiastic participation in the group led me to become one of the group admin.  I highly encourage you to see if there's a group in your area.  And if there's not, consider starting one yourself or with a fellow neighbor!  

Facebook Marketplace

I've also had a lot of luck buying items on Facebook Marketplace.  Almost all of the people I've bought from have been good at communicating, priced things fairly and were honest about the items' conditions.  I typically pay attention to the seller's ratings and am not afraid to ask questions about the items.  I always ask if the items come from a smoke-free home.  I ask specific questions about the item's condition (for example, are there any rips, stains, scratches, etc.)  Facebook Marketplace is a great way to find toys and other kids' items since kids tend to outgrow items well before they outwear them.  I bought snow pants for the kids this winter.  I've also gotten tons of toys, usually in like-new condition.  I even gave the kids some "like new" Melissa & Doug floor puzzles for Christmas that I found on Facebook Marketplace.  I will usually check Facebook Marketplace first before I consider buying something at a store and usually I can find it!  Archer wanted a bike basket for his bike and I found one for a couple bucks.  I also found twin sheet sets for the kids' new big kid beds.  I'm not afraid to buy anything that can be washed in the washing machine or thoroughly cleaned by hand.  So far I've only bought items that I can pick up locally, though many sellers offer shipping.  

Thred-Up

I tried to limit the number of public places I went this past year due to the pandemic.  That meant shopping for clothes in stores was off the table for awhile.  I tried out Thred-Up and was happily surprised with the results.  Thred-Up is an online consignment store that has secondhand clothes and accessories for women and kids.  It's easy to find what you're looking for using their filters.  Lyla liked a particular brand of jeans, so I was able to find some in the next size up for her.  I also bought a few tops from there for myself.  Buying clothes online is always gamble and you're never quite sure how they'll fit.  Most of the items have a restocking fee of $1.99 if you want to return something.  So I tried to buy only brands that I knew typically fit me well.  Some of the items seem a little high-priced for me, but you can usually find some promo codes to help bring the cost down.  It's certainly not as cheap as some options, but it made for a fun way to get some new clothing items during a pandemic!     

Thrift Stores and Consignment Stores

I am so excited to hit up thrift stores again once I reach full immunity from my COVID vaccine!  I adore thrift stores and it feels like going on a treasure hunt every time I go.  I have gotten quite a few items for my kitchen from thrift stores.  Some of my favorite Pyrex mixing bowls came from thrift stores, along with some very cute cloth napkins.  I also found a gem of a clothing thrift store that I love to get items from.  It's the Savers in Overland Park, KS, if you are in the Kansas City area.  It's kept clean and well-organized.  I've gotten quite a few clothing items for myself and the kids from there.  

Speaking of kids' clothing, my favorite place to get kids' clothing from is Once Upon A Child.  It's a kids' consignment store and they have locations all over the place.  The prices are very reasonable and the clothing is always in very good shape.  We've been super fortunate to have hand-me-downs for Lyla.  (My cousin Becky has two girls and have generously clothed Lyla for her entire life!  This is the same cousin who shared her hand-me-downs with me!)  The majority of Archer's wardrobe has come from this store.  

I've never gotten into selling our used items, but a lot of people do so.  You can sell your kiddo's outgrown clothes and use the money you earn to buy them the next size up!  

The Library

While libraries aren't technically "secondhand," they do offer many resources that you can take advantage of, along with your community members.  

Libraries hold such a special place in my heart.  I remember my mom taking me to the Topeka Public Library and bookmobile as a child to check out books.  I worked at the Columbia Public Library while I was in high school and college.  I helped out at a middle school library for a couple years.  Reading and books are just plain magic and I love that libraries offer up all sorts of these precious resources to their communities for free!  I'm not someone who typically reads books more that once, so checking out books from the library is the perfect option for me.  I read every night before I go to bed, so I always have a stack of library books on my nightstand.  I also still have a DVD player and check out all sorts of DVDs from the library.

Since Archer and Lyla have stopped being so rough on their books (for the most part) we've taken full advantage of checking out all sorts of books from the library.  Public libraries tend to have extensive, diverse, inclusive collections.  It's so important to me that Lyla and Archer are exposed to all sorts of different people, cultures and lifestyles, so we check out a vast array of library books all the time!  

Most public libraries have all sorts of kids' programs (though many are virtual now), like story time and concerts.  They offer up adult programming, like computer literacy and classes led by local business leaders.  They offer assistance for English-language learners.  They have licenses for many online newspapers that you can access with your library card.  The resources they offer their communities just goes on and on!  I definitely encourage you to utilize your public library to access all sorts of resources!  

Choosing secondhand items has had a positive effect on Archer and Lyla.  They are just as happy to receive a secondhand item as they are a new item.  I find that they are happy to share their own items with others easily.  When I told Lyla that my friend was going to have a new baby, she excitedly ran up to her room to get some of her baby doll clothes to share with the new baby.  They see Adam and I setting out items for others to pick up and they are internalizing the importance of sharing our abundance with others.  

While I certainly don't buy everything secondhand, I definitely try to look for secondhand options first.  It's good for the environment and it's good for my wallet!  Happy (Secondhand) Shopping!