A year ago I was pondering my impact on the planet, wondering what, if anything, I could do to tread more gently and live more sustainably. Also, of course, I am always looking for ways to save money and be more frugal. Having done Second Hand September for a few years, I realised that buying second hand could be one way to reduce my impact, as well as having a positive effect on my bank balance. So, last January, I embarked on my second hand year!
The rules
The rules of my second hand year were simple. Any purchases I made – other than food, consumables such as cleaning products and toiletries, underwear or items to enable the repair or upcycling of things I already owned – would be second hand.
This would include shoes and clothing, towels and bedlinen, curtains, cushions and other items of home decor, tools, books, furniture, electrical items, gifts and everything else you might find in the average home.
I drew the line at other people’s knickers and socks – not that you often find that kind of thing in charity shops, at jumble sales or at car boots, luckily. However, I did buy a lightly used bra and some pre-loved pyjamas during the course of the year.
Some people baulked at the idea of buying used bed linen and towels. To them my argument was, ‘Have you ever stayed in a hotel or bed & breakfast place? Do you think the towels and bed linen were new or just, er, washed?’
In fact, I found a large blue towel in good condition in my charity shop, and a couple of sets of new-to-me, lightly used bedlinen on eBay.
The challenges
I have been fortunate that no large appliances have decided to die during the course of my second hand year. There are a couple of items that are definitely on the way out though! My daughter inadvertently melted the door and control knob of the microwave by placing the air fryer too close to it. The microwave was, in fact, a second hand purchase from 2019 from a Facebook seller, so I am hopeful of finding another used model.
The other thing that will be replaced very soon will be our kettle. It has seen better days, and I think I would be lucky to find a well functioning one used. So this is likely to be my first brand new purchase in 2022!
Because I tend to buy a lot of things second hand anyway, having a hard and fast rule about it didn’t prove too tricky generally. Although the area I had to think hardest about, and be the most creative, was gifting.
Second hand gifting
As I said in my six month review, gifts proved to be a challenge. However, my approach to this evolved as time went on, and I don’t really consider any of the presents I have given to be a fail.
I started the year really well, focussing on vintage purchases. However, this wasn’t always appropriate. My youngest nephew couldn’t come up with anything he wanted that I might find second hand, so I ended up giving him money.
Other gifts have always had a second hand element, but I found that buying plants and consumable items like food, alcohol and toiletries – to go in a second hand basket with a used book, or ornament, or whatever appropriate pre-owned gift I found in the charity shop or online – worked best.
Other times, I have given experience vouchers or money. At the end of the day, I want the recipient to appreciate and use the gifts I come up with, so there is no point sticking rigidly to a point of principle and insisting on a second hand gift they wouldn’t like.
Has it saved me money?
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that buying second hand is almost always cheaper. This is particularly true when it comes to electronics and technology. I had to replace my laptop this year, and spent about half of what I would have paid for a new one, for example.
There are some tremendous bargains to be had with clothing and homeware too. Most days I look at what I am wearing, and there is rarely anything that was purchased new.
You also become more creative and tend to look at ways to make the best of what you already have when you set yourself a rule to buy only second hand.
During the year I redecorated our bedroom, and I really think it is one of the nicest rooms in the house. I found two sets of second hand curtains, some bedlinen, a blanket, used bedside lamps, wall art, a mirror and some decorative cushions. The original pine furniture remained, but was given a make over with some paint and new-to-us ceramic knobs.
In the past I would have bought new furniture, fixtures and linens. It has saved a fortune buying these second hand!
Once you realise what is available to you pre-owned and how cheaply you can pick things up, you resent paying up for new items. In fact, you can even get things for free. I got my daughter an under counter freezer for her new flat from Freegle just a few days ago!
The benefits to the environment
Of course, the financial savings aren’t the only benefit to buying a secondhand item. Think of all of the resources that go into producing something new: ie the energy, water and other resources spent manufacturing it, the packaging required to protect it, the fuel needed to transport it to the retailers, the pollution all of these processes causes, and the subsequent problem of how to dispose of the packaging and then the item itself when customers consider it out of date or no longer fit for purpose.
By keeping things in use for as long as possible you get maximum value from all of the above processes and it means that more resources are saved in NOT producing a new item.
Will I buy second hand in 2022?
Given all that I have just said, yes of course I will be buying used things wherever possible. It won’t be a hard and fast rule, though. We definitely need a new stair carpet this year, as well as the aforementioned kettle. (Although, if I can find a large enough piece of carpet second hand I will buy it!).
Where I do decide to buy new, I will be looking to purchase quality items that will last a long time. One thing about buying second hand for a year is that you soon realise the makes and types of things that were built to stand the test of time. If they have lasted a couple of owners already and are standing up to regular use, they are worth the investment. I might have to pay more initially, but hopefully will save money over time.
Another positive thing that came out of my second hand year was my Facebook group, My Second Hand & Frugal Life. I started it in January and it seemed to appeal to a lot of people. As I type this, we have just hit 12,000 members, with lots of newbies arriving daily. So if you enjoy a frugal chat and want to learn about the creative ideas of other fans of second hand stuff, come along and join the community!
And if you want to find out more about my frugal life, subscribe to my YouTube channel. I post two videos a week, including lots of charity shop hauls and upcycling projects, as well as frugal food and money saving tips.
Sara says
Just a week ago I bought a charity shop kettle (new current model from Tesco) for half price. Shiny new, with box and brochure and everything, all safe and fully tested and working. A bargain, not least because no where nearby had any and mine was un safe, so it was pretty urgent.
I purchased a beautiful thick towel for a daft price, meant to be for emergency mop ups, the cat etc but its so nice I used it instead. I used to think eugh about such things to be honest, but I just don’t anymore. I love my charity shop duvet covers which are much softer and comfier than the new one my daughter got recently. So I am all for second hand.
shoestringjane@outlook.com says
Oooh, it would be good if I could find a boxed kettle in a charity shop!