Our buying habits are not often at the forefront of our minds. Much of the time, we tend to shop on autopilot, whether buying clothes for the coming season or fulfilling the weekly food shop. But with the cost-of-living crisis continuing on, and with households being hit harder than ever, it is only natural that we start to look inwards at our consumption habits if only to bring expenditure down.
This brings us to the subject of today’s piece: the virtues of buying second-hand. There are natural financial benefits to be wrought from delving into the world of pre-owned and pre-loved, which we will tackle in due course – but buying second-hand is also a positive practice to adopt for other reasons. Here we’ll examine some of the major reasons you should make buying used your new buying habit.
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A Sustainable Habit
There are two particularly prescient reasons why shopping is such a virtuous activity. One, as indicated, is money – but we’ll get there in time. The other, more existential reason is, put simply, the planet. Constantly and consistently buying new items fuels a wasteful cycle of manufacture and disposal, whether in the world of electronics, clothing, homeware or elsewhere.
Fast fashion is one of the more egregious examples of wasteful consumption in action, and a powerful argument for you to consider looking out for new threads in charity shops, or online in apps like Vinted or eBay. To do so is to opt out of a needless chain, that bears some responsibility for ecosystem collapse and rising global temperatures.
Quality Over Quantity
Here, an unavoidable point must be made: buying used gives you the unique opportunity to buy quality. Fast fashion high-street items are often poorly made, and even designed to fail. Investing a little more money can ensure a product, be it an item of jewellery or a piece of clothing, goes a lot further – but again, not all of us have the funds to make that possible.
Buying used, though, gives you the chance to seek out quality items at a fraction of their market value. This is particularly helpful for luxury items or stores of value like wristwatches, where buying second-hand can get you a name brand designed to last. In some cases, such things can even accrue value!
Shrewd Financial Decisions
This brings us, at last, to the topic of money. Buying used is essentially a money-saving activity, in two distinct ways. For one, you are saving money buying up items at much lower prices than on the high street, particularly if you embrace charity shops as your new source of everyday clothes like jeans and t-shirts.
For another, with quality brands accessible at lower prices, you can benefit from the longevity that their quality guarantees. Through this, you’ll be burning through less things, saving money through buying less replacements.
The Urban Woman Magazine Editorial Team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who have a keen eye for detail and a passion for all things urban. We strive to create fresh, original content that appeals to the modern woman. Our mission is to provide a platform for women to share their stories, experiences and opinions on various issues affecting their lives.
