Being a parent can get expensive! Kids have a lot of needs and not many kiddos earn an income. (Unless you’re lucky enough to have a model baby or prodigy actor…) While children have plenty of needs, they have even more wants.
It can be hard to reign in the costs, especially if you tend to buy things on impulse. Recently, I have talked with some friends who used to buy everything new for their kids. They now have their third kid and buy almost everything secondhand. They said it’s been “way less stressful” and their financial life is a lot better.
Financial abundance is something we really focus on here at Hot Momma Co! So much that we’ve dedicated a whole lesson to the topic in our Parenting With Peace Course. Little hacks like where and what to buy things secondhand is just the tip of the iceberg, so if you want more details, check out the course.
Here are some things that are worth buying new every time and things that I always buy secondhand.
4 Things I Always Buy New
1. Socks (all one color!) and Underwear
Maybe it’s because they get stinky or because they can get worn out fast, but I definitely buy socks new. (Underwear goes without saying!) One other bonus of buying them new is to help with your organization. Socks can be the bane of a parent’s existence — that’s why having them all one color per person is a game changer. As cute as those Superman socks were for our oldest as a baby, they aren’t the practical ideal. Nowadays I’m so glad we have one color of socks per kid!
2. Water Bottles
Mentally, I just prefer buying new water bottles. Something about it just sits better knowing it’s brand new. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good thrift find! But water bottles are something that I just prefer if no one else’s mouth has been on them.
3. Personal Hygiene Items
This is pretty much in line with #2, but I buy basically anything that relates to personal hygiene new in the package. Things in this category include hairbrushes, toothbrushes, toiletries, etc.
4. Car Seats
Car seats can be expensive but this is one of the things I always buy new! For a few reasons: 1) You never know a used car seat’s history — it could have been in a crash or could have a part missing. For my kiddo’s safety, I’m not going to try to save a few bucks. And 2) Although car seats have longer expiration dates now, they still do expire. The technology improves with each generation of car seats and that’s something I’m always willing to spend more on!
6 Things I Always Buy Secondhand
1. Shoes & Clothing
This might go without saying but constantly buying NEW clothes and shoes for your kids can seriously drain your bank account! Not only do they grow out of them so quickly (read: every six months at least), but kids also are pretty rough on clothes. There was a period of time when my son was 3 and had holes in every single pair of pants from “sliding into home.”
Some of the benefits of buying clothes and shoes secondhand for your kids are:
- Lower cost
- Easier replacement
- Less stress if kids ruin or stain clothes
- Secondhand clothes and shoes are usually in really good condition
- More sustainable for the planet
2. Sports Equipment
Sports, by nature, have a lot of wear and tear. So getting your sports equipment secondhand can save the pain of watching a $40 soccer ball get kicked into a rosebush…
Plus so many thrift stores get sports equipment (even expensive things like skis) that are in pretty decent condition. Even things like leotards, shin guards, and other sports clothing are great to buy secondhand. And when your kid grows into the next size, it’s a great time to pay it forward and donate your old ones too!
3. Books
You can get so many good books at the library, but it’s also nice to have books you don’t need to worry about in case a baby gnaws on a page. Sometimes we’ve even bought specific books to teach certain principles so it’s nice to get those secondhand. They’re just much more affordable than buying them brand new.
4. Bikes, Scooters, Outdoor Toys
Seeing your kids enjoy the good outdoors is so much fun. Bikes, scooters, and other outdoor toys can have a short shelf life just because your kiddo is growing so dang fast! So I love buying these secondhand — I always make sure the tires are good, the gears aren’t rusty, and the brakes work before I do though.
Plus, let’s face it. These outdoor toys get way too beat up too fast for me to pay full price for them!
5. Strollers (and High Chairs, Camping Chairs, etc.)
We got a brand new stroller from our baby registry when I was pregnant with our oldest kid. It was so nice! But now in hindsight, I would rather have a used stroller that’s in good condition and kept the extra cash. We got this one pictured that can fit 3 (sometimes 4!) kids, and it was only $35 secondhand (with all the original tags still on).
6. Costumes
Halloween is so much fun and dressing up is a great activity that you can do year-round. Brand-new costumes can be pretty pricey, so I prefer to get mine used online or at a thrift store. Plus, your kids won’t feel a difference!
Where to Shop Secondhand
Over the past few years, I have learned some of the best places to shop for used goods. Here are my life-saver sites (note that some of these are more specific to my local area, so you might need to adjust based on your location):
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay
- Kid to Kid
- News Classified Listings (this is KSL.com for me, but most local news sources have a section for classifieds!)
- Thrift Stores (especially non-profit ones!)
- Since I live in Utah, this means stores like Goodwill, Deseret Industries and Uptown Cheapskate
This is just a fantastic way to find things in your area. You can search by zip code and distance. I even love looking at free stuff near me. This is a great way to price compare and see what’s available. You can also check the seller’s profile to make sure it’s legitimate. There are usually plenty of gently-used products for kids — and things for adults as well!
If I can’t find something specific at a thrift store or on FB marketplace, eBay is my next stop! You can find nice, specific things at a fraction of the cost of buying it brand new.
Thriftie hack: If you want even lower prices and don’t mind picking up your item, you can filter by local pickup!
One of the wealthiest people I know shops at Kid to Kid for her children. They only buy things that are in good condition so all the items there are in really nice shape. Not only do they have great clothes and shoes, but there are also nice strollers, cribs, car seats, toys, and more.
You can also sell your kid’s clothing and other items for cash or store credit.
Classified Listings
Many local news sources have a section for classifieds and you can use this to your advantage. I’ve found that many sellers on these sites might not know how to use FB marketplace / eBay so the prices are sometimes better! But, you might have more lags in response times. It’s still a good place to check if you’re shopping around.
Thrift Stores
Anyone who knows me knows that I love shopping at thrift stores! They are cheap and it’s fun to discover items you might not otherwise see.
We regularly purchase clothes, costumes, outdoor toys, sports equipment and more at our local thrift stores.
Where to Shop New
When I do have to buy something new, I still generally price check and compare between stores to make sure I’m getting a good deal. Here are my go-to stores for the new items I listed:
*Sometimes these stores have better prices than the two listed above, but it’s fairly uncommon.
Well that’s a wrap! What do you like to buy secondhand? What do you prefer to buy new? I’d love to read it in the comments. Happy shopping!
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