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Small Ways #2 - Thrift Stores are your Friend
Hokay, number 2 in this intermittent series.
Another simple way to improve life and the world? Buy used.
Okay, not EVERYTHING, here's an article about 10 things you should never buy used, the companion to 10 things you shouldn't buy new. So that sorta takes care of the basic advice part.
But why buy used? Well, for one, it's cheaper, generally. So hey, more money for other stuff. Second, if you buy it used, then that's one less thing bought new. It slightly reduces the demand for random new crap, and reuses stuff that's already been made, and usually saves on packaging. So that's good for the environment. And thirdly, many thrift stores are run by some kind of charity or another, such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local charities. So some of the money you spend there goes to help the charity. (I personally go to the Salvation Army less, mainly because of their views on stuff like gay marriage, but they do do a good bit of good work, too.)
Especially on things like books, CDs, videos, and games, you'll usually save 50% or more by buying used. The selection's not as constant, and you don't have the warranty on things, so always check it over to make sure it's in good shape. But all in all, for lots of things, there's no reason not to buy them used. And several reasons to.
Tags: Small Ways, Mindscribbles, Life, The Universe, and Everything
Another simple way to improve life and the world? Buy used.
Okay, not EVERYTHING, here's an article about 10 things you should never buy used, the companion to 10 things you shouldn't buy new. So that sorta takes care of the basic advice part.
But why buy used? Well, for one, it's cheaper, generally. So hey, more money for other stuff. Second, if you buy it used, then that's one less thing bought new. It slightly reduces the demand for random new crap, and reuses stuff that's already been made, and usually saves on packaging. So that's good for the environment. And thirdly, many thrift stores are run by some kind of charity or another, such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local charities. So some of the money you spend there goes to help the charity. (I personally go to the Salvation Army less, mainly because of their views on stuff like gay marriage, but they do do a good bit of good work, too.)
Especially on things like books, CDs, videos, and games, you'll usually save 50% or more by buying used. The selection's not as constant, and you don't have the warranty on things, so always check it over to make sure it's in good shape. But all in all, for lots of things, there's no reason not to buy them used. And several reasons to.
Tags: Small Ways, Mindscribbles, Life, The Universe, and Everything