Shared Reading: 8 Things to Buy Secondhand

Have you ever bought something second hand? Craigslist and other sites are great for finding cheap stuff that is slightly used, but have you ever really thought about what is best to buy second hand? Daily Finance has created a list of eight items that are best to buy used.

We all know used cars are almost always a better value than buying new. But cars aren't the only thing where it pays to shop secondhand.

Cars lose their value as soon as you drive off the lot, but if you are planning to buy a used car, make sure you trust the seller. A car can look great but be junk under the hood.

Expecting a baby? Resist the urge to stock the nursery with all new gear. ... Because babies only use these items for a short time, you can almost always find lightly used gear for far less than new.

Newborns grow so fast that you will find yourself shopping more often than doing laundry. Alright, I might be exaggerating since I don't have kids but you get my point. Nursery furniture also leaves your house pretty quickly. Find basic furniture used and make it look new with cute sheets and pillows. Just make sure you clean the furniture since you never really know the previous owner. If you are going to paint, make sure it's a non-toxic baby safe paint.

Music stores often resell used instruments, and again, Craigslist is a great source as well, but you will want to have the instrument checked out first -- it can be quite expensive to repair a broken one.

Consider the fact that the best violin, the Stradivarius, were built in the 1800s and one recently sold at auction for over one million dollars. Many professional musicians prefer the older instruments because they were made differently and have overall better tones.

On the cheaper end, if you want to learn how to play an instrument, you can find beginner instruments cheap so that you're not wasting money on a hobby that didn't last. A used instrument can be expensive (see the Stradivarius price above) but for lower quality instruments they can be really low cost.

Sink your teeth into megabest-seller Twilight for just $0.99, rock out to Coldplay's smash hit Viva La Vida for $2.99, or laugh along with an entire season of The Office for $5.

Books, music, and more can be really cheap when you buy them used. Also look at sites like Paperback Swap which allows you to trade with other users.

By the time the next black-tie event rolls around, you'll have your eye on something new. But since other people do the same thing, formalwear is a perfect secondhand purchase for anyone in the family.

Men have always had it easier because if they don't go to tons of black-tie affairs, they can just rent a tux for a night. Women know that dresses don't come cheap but there are ways to save money. Buy a simple black dress and change it up with accessories. If it's a special occasion, like your wedding, consider buying a cheaper dress but having a tailor customize it to make it your own.

Craigslist is another option, but insist on meeting the seller at a jeweler of your choosing to have the stone evaluated before any money changes hands. An unusual, but reputable option? A site like IDoNowIDont.com, which specializes in diamonds from divorces and broken engagements. Sure, it may feel strange to benefit from another's bad fortune, but think of it as giving the diamond a second chance at happiness.

Diamonds are forever but that doesn't mean people will keep them that long. If you do plan to buy a used diamond, make sure you have it appraised. If the seller refuses to meet you at a jeweler or provide proof of appraisal, do not buy it.


Read the full article on Daily Finance.