Secondhand shopping has a lot of perks for the planet as well as your wallet. There are a few places where you can find local secondhand items for cheap or even free, which will save your money and be more sustainable.
I love buying things secondhand. Not only because I’m saving a ton of money, but because I love old stuff.
To me, history only makes an item more special, and the fact that a lot of older stuff is cheaper because it was previously owned – even better!
Why You Should Buy Things Secondhand
I’ve never had a problem purchasing secondhand items. The money saved matters more to me than it being previously owned.
Buying secondhand is also great for the environment.
When you purchase items that are secondhand, you’re essentially recycling which is an important factor when trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Instead of wasting all the time, energy, resources and costs into an item by throwing it away (and ending up in a landfill), buying something secondhand gives it a new life and a new purpose.
This can go for anything from furniture to appliances to clothing.
Yes, even clothing!
Fast fashion – rapidly produced, inexpensive, and cheap clothing, is hurting the environment in so many ways.
Fast fashion clothing is made with low-quality material, and they get discarded sooner than more sustainable, higher-quality clothing.
You can check out my post 8 slow fashion tips to create a sustainable wardrobe to learn how to be more environmentally friendly regarding your clothing.
Here are the best places to find local secondhand items for cheap or free.
1. Local Buy and Sell Sites
As you probably already know, the most common place to find local used items is online buy and sell sites like Craigslist for the USA or Kijiji for Canada.
These sites allow people to create ad listings to sell their items for cheap or give them away for free.
Most buy and sell sites contain a “free stuff” section which is something you should always check out when shopping secondhand!
Some buy and sell sites for the US:
Some buy and sell sites for Canada:
2. Thrift Stores Near You
You can find a wide range of secondhand items at thrift stores near you and the prices are insanely budget-friendly.
You’ll probably never find the same thing twice so what you find there is usually unique.
If you want tips for shopping secondhand clothing, check out my ultimate guide to buying secondhand clothing.
I always check the back of items I’m interested in buying to see if there’s any additional info about the product. But again, this is mostly because I’m usually looking for old stuff with history.
On my most recent trip to Value Village, a thrift store near me, I found 4 gorgeous wooden bowls for $6. When I checked the back, it said they were made in Taiwan and they were teak.
Teak wood is an incredibly sustainable type of wood and it also isn’t cheap. Sold!
Not sure where the nearest thrift store is? Google “secondhand stores near me” and a list will pop up with Google Maps.
3. Secondhand Items at Yard Sales
People hold yard sales to get rid of used stuff that they don’t need, want or love anymore but don’t want to throw away.
Because of that, yard sales in your neighbourhood are a great place to find secondhand items for cheap that you can bring home with you.
Yard sales are probably the best place to haggle for secondhand items locally as well.
People holding garage sales usually want to get rid of everything instead of having to haul it back inside.
Don’t be afraid to bargain!
4. Facebook Marketplace
You can find previously owned items being sold near you on the Facebook Marketplace, or even things being given away for free.
These local secondhand items are being sold by people who have no need for something any more, clothes that don’t fit them, changed their mind after purchasing, etc. but they don’t want to just throw it in the garbage.
Additionally, search Facebook to see if there are any Buy and Sell groups for your town or city.
People are constantly posting secondhand items for sale in these groups that you can come across in your Facebook feed or receive notifications for.
You can also scroll through these Buy and Sell groups to see if there’s anything of interest to you.
5. Family and Friends
Your family and friends may be getting rid of something they own that you can probably use.
Just talking about things you need in a conversation may encourage them to offer it to you for free or at a discounted price.
I once was speaking with a colleague about how I was moving into my own place and I was needing some furniture. Turns out that she was moving across the country and was selling all of her furniture for CHEAP.
I ended up buying her sofa set, computer desk and chair, end table, small kitchen appliances and utensils, bath towels, and lots more for around $300.
Talk about a steal! I really lucked out and was so grateful.
You never know what the people you know are getting rid of. You just need to spark up a conversation.
6. The Side of the Road
I know – it sounds weird, but hear me out! Some people throw out their stuff because they’re too lazy to try to sell it, or they don’t have the time or skill needed to give it a new life.
You can find used items on the side of the road that could be fixed or repurposed into something amazing. Something like a coffee table that just needs a fresh set of paint.
When it’s time for “big garbage day” in your area, drive or walk around your town or city and see if anyone’s throwing out something that’s still in good condition that you could use or upcycle.
Keep an eye out for smaller secondhand items in the area too.
I once came across a table with a “Free Stuff” sign in someone’s yard near where I live. I snagged a couple of glass vases which I use for my collection of rocks and shells.
I was planning on buying some brand-new from the dollar store so stumbling upon free ones just down the street was a win for me.
Final Thoughts on Getting Secondhand Stuff Locally
Getting free or cheap secondhand items is a great way to be more environmentally friendly and save lots of money.
And by keeping it local, you’re reducing carbon emissions and keeping the money flowing in your community.
If you want more green money-saving tips, check out this post: 9 best ways to save money when going green.
