Shopping secondhand is not only sustainable for the planet but also for your bank account. As a university student, the latter becomes even more important!
Money-Saver
Shopping secondhand at university to be a money-saver is a no brainer. Obviously buying a used item will be significantly cheaper than if you purchased that same item at retail price.
My favourite items to buy second-hand (especially as a student) are:
- Furniture (for example, when I’ve needed some storage drawers to put under my desk, a used set will do)
- Books (this one is self-explanatory)
- Jackets and Jeans (both of these clothing items are less susceptible to damage than t-shirts for instance and you can find excellent and stylish items)
Find Unique Pieces
Shopping secondhand at university, particularly in charity shops, can be hit-and-miss. Some days you may find treasures, other days you may leave stores disappointed. However, that doesn’t take away from the magic of occasionally finding a unique piece and at a low price too!
Just last week, I went to a car boot sale and got a fabulous pair of jeans from the brand A Few Good Kids. The jeans were in mint condition and retail for $125. I got them for £3! If that’s not an absolute steal, I don’t know what is.
On that same trip, I also bought a desk mirror, a graphic guide to postmodernist theories and a small plate. I spent a total of £5. Such a low price for four items, one of them being a $125 pair of jeans, is enough to testify that shopping secondhand is incredible.
Leaving a Positive Impact on The Planet
While shopping secondhand is a small step towards being kinder to the planet, it is nonetheless an important one. All we can do is our best. When governments and big corporations are refusing to acknowledge the climate crisis and take appropriate measures to address it, there isn’t much we can do to contribute to the overall health of the planet.
However, if we take steps to minimise our individual impact, we will hopefully at least make a small-scale change.
Sell Your Stuff Too!
Shopping secondhand is fun but selling your items can also be great.
Firstly, it allows you to declutter. Get rid of items you no longer need and find them a new home rather than binning them.
Secondly, you’ll be making money. I truly see no cons of shopping secondhand. It’s a win-win situation for everyone (so long as they’re trustworthy sellers but for the most part you’ll have no problems).