In the past, I would have allowed myself to get completely wrapped up in the culture of Christmas gifts. Everything I bought for everyone, especially my own children, had to be brand new direct from the toy store.
I don’t do that anymore, especially this Christmas whereas my sons become older, their Christmas list for Santa Claus gets more expensive. For example, one of my sons wanted an electric guitar, the other a Playstation VR, hoverboard and racing track.
In the past, I would have bought it brand new, but not anymore. I’ve decided to buy almost everything second hand this Christmas. I hopped onto the online market and found myself everything in its original box and brand new.
Let’s add up the retail prices these, shall we?
Playstation VR: $300
Hoverboard: $269.99
Electric Guitar: $199.99
Race track: initially $129.99 reduced to $60.00
Total: $829.98
Buying everything second hand?
Playstation VR: $200
Hoverboard: $80
Electric Guitar: $85
Race track: originally $30.00
Total: $395
Total savings: $434.98
Most people buy brand new because of the pressure of how themselves and their kids appear before a culture who finds that unacceptable cripples them. There are, of course, pros and cons to buying brand new. Warranty doesn’t come with the item so if it breaks good luck getting it fixed.
As long as you take great care into investigating that the item still works which in most cases it does, then you’re good to go. Other than that, I’ve never had to worry about buying second hand and all the items I purchased look and appear to be brand new. You’d never know the difference.
This rule applies to buying second hand for anyone in your circle of friends. Let’s be honest here, if you can get it at a knockdown and affordable price, what makes it any less of a gift?
Happy Christmas and a happy savings.
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