Green Holiday Tip #9: Buy Pre-Owned

OK this won’t work for everything or everybody, but from books to gear to gadgets you can find a ton of great items on the cheap when you buy used. To this day one of the best presents I gave my husband was a sewing machine off Craigslist. Save money and save on waste!

What to Buy Used and Where To Buy It Locally

Outdoor Gear: This is the best kind of stuff to buy used, especially when you are just getting into a new activity.  Sometimes you can score at thrift stores but second hand gear stores are your best bet.  Try The Gear Fix in Bend and Gear Peddler in Bend and Redmond. Patagonia has an active presence on ebay where they encourage people to sell and buy their used products, and even highlight the stories good gear has through their Worn Wear project.

Tools: Again another category that is great to by used for the big cost savings.  All the Central Oregon Habitat for Humanity ReStores are great for tools.

Gently Used Clothes – Consignment shops like Rescue, Bag Ladies, Cowgirl Cash, Dalia and Amelia, and Elite Repeat offer great clothes at great prices.

Music Instruments – Music Makers in Bend sells used instruments for those music lovers in your life.

Baby Stuff – Stone Soup, Kids Paradise, and the Stork all provide used baby and kids clothes and gear for their quickly growing bodies and toy preferences.