According to Martin Lewis, author of ‘The Money Diet’, the only things that should never be bought second hand are food, underwear and toilet roll! Everything else though is fair game and if you know where to look you can often find top quality second hand items for a much better price than buying them brand new. So where do you start looking? That depends to a large extent on what it is you’re looking for but the suggestions below should give you a good idea of where to start your search.

eBay
eBay is easily the biggest auction site on the internet and lists virtually everything you could ever need or want – and the majority of it is second hand and goes for very low prices. Buying stuff from eBay will undoubtedly save you money and you have the added satisfaction of knowing that there is a good mediating service should you have a dispute with your seller. Buying through the auction method takes a bit of practice but if you are looking for items that have a lot of competition then you will easily be able to find what you’re looking for at a fraction of its price when new.

The Local Classifieds
Another place to check for second hand items is in the local classifieds. Most areas have a free newspaper that has a classifieds section and the added bonus here is that should you find what you’re looking for then you know it isn’t far away, and delivery will probably be free. You can also try the internet for sites that list second hand goods in your area.

Car Boot Sales
Car boot sales offer a wide range of second hand items, some of which will be in a better condition than others admittedly. These are however great places to pick up inexpensive children’s toys, games and books and most sellers will accept a few pounds for something that originally cost £20 just to get rid of it. You can pick up all sorts of items at car boots and they are a good place to test out your haggling skills. Plus, if you go towards the end of the day you can often get items even cheaper so the seller doesn’t have to take them home again.

Charity Shops
Charity shops only accept items that are in good condition so you know you’re buying quality items that are usable or wearable. Not surprisingly though, some charity shops are starting to recognise that people are choosing them over other stores and so brand name items might now seem slightly more expensive than they would have been a few years ago. Saying this, their stuff is still a lot cheaper than buying new and you help the charity out as well.

Second Hand Emporiums
Most towns have a second hand emporium where you can get furniture, kitchen appliances and other electrical items at discounted prices. The items in these stores come from house clearances, bankrupt companies and the general public and they will, more often than not, come with some form of guarantee. You can often buy a virtually new item for over 50% cheaper than if you go to one of the big retailers and some older models will have an even bigger discount.

Buying second hand can save you hundreds of pounds a year and you get exactly the same item as you’d get going to a store and buying it brand new. There’s no shame in buying second hand stuff and it might mean you can afford a special little luxury with the money you save.