‘Tis the Season to Spring Clean Your Wallet + MORE Mar 8th

Some people I know only buy things new. I get it; there’s a certain appeal about getting something brand new or being the first owner. But for me, purchasing some things used sometimes makes sense. Okay, let’s be realistic, I do it is because I can save money.

Many items are significantly cheaper when bought used. I’m not browsing thrift stores here; I’m looking for high-quality items that people are ready to part with. I’m more than happy to let them take the depreciation hit while I keep my wallet happy. I’ve managed to save tens of thousands of dollars total by buying the following things used.

Learning the budget basics »

My car
For a few years, my wife and I didn’t own a car. We would use ZipCar or borrow our parent’s vehicle when necessary, but it was always a bit of hassle. Since we were saving for a home, buying a car was a major expense, so we decided to buy used – the cost savings just couldn’t be ignored.
We wanted a Subaru Impreza Hatchback. The retail price at the time was about $30,000 which we could have easily afforded, but a 3-year old one had a listed value of $18,000 in the Canadian Black Book…

Ready to lose an hour of sleep?
On Sunday, March 12th at 2 a.m., most Canadians set their clocks back one hour and spring forward.
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel we call winter. So as we start fresh and give into the annual “spring cleaning” tradition, why not give financial spring cleaning a try? Check out these tips to find areas in your life where you can potentially save, and maybe even earn a few extra bucks this spring:
Clean out your wallet
Throw out those business cards with frayed edges and transfer all the contacts you need into your phone. Put all your loose change into a piggy bank. And while you’re at it, why not make this a regular ritual? At the end of each week, empty your wallet and put any change into a piggy bank. It may not be much, but savings anywhere can be beneficial.
Revaluate the credit cards you currently have. Cancel and cut up the cards you don’t use and look into new credit cards that actually work for you. There are plenty of cards out there that offer points towards gas and groceries for every purchase you make, essentially gifting you with savings on necessities…