How to furnish a home and dress a family cheaply with secondhand stores, free local groups and online marketplaces.
Buying used is normal in the US, for students, families and people with good salaries too. Nobody will think less of you.
Where to find used things
Thrift stores (Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Savers, local charity shops): clothes, dishes, books, small furniture. Many have a discount day each week.
Consignment shops: better-quality clothes or furniture, higher prices.
Yard sales and garage sales: people sell things outside their home on weekends, often in spring and summer. Prices are low and you can ask for less.
Online marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, Nextdoor): sellers near you. You pick the item up.
Buy Nothing groups: local groups, often on Facebook or the Buy Nothing app, where neighbors give things away for free. You post "ISO" (in search of) what you need, or offer what you do not need.
University move-out: in May, students leave furniture behind. Many campuses run free or cheap sales.
How to buy safely from a stranger
1
Ask questions and for more photos before you go.
2
Meet in daylight, in a public place. Many police stations have a "safe exchange zone" in the parking lot.
3
For furniture at someone's home, bring a friend.
4
Pay in cash or with a payment app only when you have the item in your hands. Never pay a deposit to hold an item.
5
Test electronics before you pay.
What not to buy used
Car seats for children: they may be expired or damaged in a crash you cannot see.
Cribs and baby products: check them on the recall list at cpsc.gov.
Mattresses and upholstered sofas: risk of bed bugs (small insects that bite). Inspect seams carefully.
Helmets: may be damaged inside.
Common mistakes
Sending money to a seller who says they are "out of town" and will ship. This is a common scam.
Forgetting you need a car or van to move furniture. Some stores and apps offer delivery for a fee.
Picking up free items without asking first. Only take what is offered to you.