 Who doesn't want to stretch their dollars these days? One way is to buy certain items - from cars and appliances to furniture and even clothes - second hand. Not only can you often save a bundle, buying "used" can also be fun and thrifty as you explore estate sales and charity stores for retro fun furniture and other steals-of-deals.
While regular retail sales have stalled in recent years, the Association of Resale Professionals reports that secondhand sales are increasing about 35 percent annually. There's no longer any negative connotation to shopping at thrift stores or garage sales. Buying used has become popular with everyone from budget-strapped young couples looking for affordable appliances to vintage jewelry and clothes collecting celebrities.
Besides finding bargains, you can also discover unique décor and even antiques at cut-rate prices. Plus, it's another way of recycling and helping the planet go green.
Of course, not everything that seems like a too-good-to-pass-up "bargain" is a smart purchase. Instead, it can sometimes end up being a costly mistake.
Here are tips to help you shop wisely, and safely, for secondhand goods - big and small.
Appliances: A used appliance may be in great shape and super cheap - but it may cost more to operate in the long run than a new high-tech, energy-efficient model. New appliances come with warranties, too. However, the value of household appliances depreciates rapidly within a short period of time. So if you can find a slightly used appliance, you can end up with a great deal.
Unless you know the history of the appliance firsthand ( for example, maybe a friend bought a refrigerator only six months ago and now is moving out of state and needs to sell it), have a professional inspect a large appliance before you buy it.
Also, check out the model of the appliance you are considering buying for reports of any recalls or problems. For example, Consumer Reports has an online database for major appliances: www.consumerreports.org/appliances
 Cars: Of course, new cars come with the latest perks and great warranties. However they also plummet in value the minute you drive them home. Car insurance is more for new automobiles than older ones, too. So opting for a used car in good condition can be a significant money saving move.
Buying from individuals is often cheaper than buying from a used car dealer. Let friends, families, and co-workers know you are looking for a good used car. If you consider cars from private sellers (such as those advertised on Craig's List) and online, never answer a stranger's ad in person without bringing someone along.
It's also smart to have a friend test drive a vehicle with you for additional feedback. In addition have any used car checked out by a mechanic you trust before you make a purchase. If problems are found - but they are minor and fixable - use these points to negotiate the lowest deal possible.
Ask for maintenance records from the car's current owner (if there aren't any, skip this "deal"). Also get the car's vehicle identification number (VIN), a unique 17 digit identifying code which can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts, and insurance coverage.
Resources for checking out used car models:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has an online search engine for safety information about vehicles by make or model at www.safercar.gov Consumer Reports used car information: www.consumerreports.org/cars
Books, Movies, and Music: Used DVDs and CDs will play like new if they were well taken care and you can pick them up at thrift stores and garage sales for a fraction of their original cost. The same goes for books.
If you have a college student in the family, you can save hundreds of dollars buying used instead of new textbooks. University bookstores usually have used books available, but you have to buy them early - they sell out quickly.
You can also find used textbooks online. Two resources with large stocks are BookBytes (www.bookbyte.com) and Amazon (www.amazon.com). Both will buy textbooks for cash once a student is through with them, too
A word of caution: students should make sure their professors don't require a particular edition of a textbook. For example, some come with updated chapters and even CDs that were not part of older editions.
Video Games: Children can grow tired of video games pretty quickly so why pay full price if you don't have to? You can easily find used video games from online sellers including eBay. Most video game stores have a used game shelf and many will give you a discount for trading in games your youngsters no longer want. You can frequently find video games at yard sales at near give-away prices, too.
Musical Instruments: If your child is ready to take music lessons or is starting out in the school band, a brand new instrument may not be the smartest investment. It's a good idea to see how long his or her interest lasts by renting an instrument or buying one used. A school band teacher can often provide helpful advice on local sources of used, quality instruments.
 Exercise equipment: Treadmills and other workout machines can cost over a thousand dollars brand-new, but they are commonly seen at yard sales and thrift stores for a fraction of their original price. Always try out exercise equipment before you buy. If it is motorized , you may be taking a risk on how well it will perform over the long haul. Check out sporting goods stores such as Play It Again Sports (www.playitagainsports.com) that sell used, refurbished exercise equipment, often with limited warranties. You'll save up to 70 percent off the price of new equipment. You can also trade in equipment you don't use for a discount.
Clothes: Resale and thrift shops carry everything from outdated frocks you'd never wear to once worn, in style designer pieces. True, you'll have to spend some time looking through lots of items and searching for the size you want. Along the way, you may discover some true bargains.
Looking for a blazer for your little boy to wear for a special occasion or formal clothing for yourself? These are types of clothing that are rarely worn much and can be found at huge savings when bought used. Kids grow so fast and don't play in blazers, frilly dresses or suits, for example. A beautiful cocktail dress may have only been worn at one wedding reception. So these outfits are often in like new condition at thrift stores.
Maternity clothes are only worn for a few months of pregnancy and babies quickly outgrow their clothes. So shopping at yard sales and thrift stores for these categories of clothing can also result in huge savings.
Furniture: Some items, such as sofas, may not hold up as well as other used types of furniture. Shop around at garage sales and second hand stores and you can find huge bargains on tables, chairs, bookshelves, and accessories for the home. Office furniture tends to be well made and used desks, filing cabinets, and more can be picked up secondhand for a fraction of the original cost.
Be a smart bargain hunterOf course, there are more items you can find secondhand - from jewelry to garden supplies, from power tools to frames and mirrors - that are frequently money saving bargains. However, while used televisions, computers, and DVD players may seem like great deals, be cautious. With changing technology, buying new models with warranties is often the smartest choice, especially if you find a good sale.
There are some things that can be downright dangerous to use if you purchase them secondhand. For example, avoid used cribs, mattresses, car seats, protective sports devices (including bicycle helmets that may not be up to current safety standards), and makeup.
If you're unsure about an item that's for sale secondhand, check for recalls at the Consumer Product Safety Commission Website (www.cpsc.gov) or at www.recalls.gov.
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