Saving $ in 2014

We are a nation of consumers.  We find "peace" in shopping.  Ok whatever.  Today I want to take a look at what we're buying to save us some loot.

I'm going to introduce you to the things you should not be buying brand new.  Some of these are pretty "duh" and others may catch you off guard.  Here we go...

1. Books

You like to read?  Cool.  Don't buy a book.  Instead check it out from a library or borrow it from a friend.  You can join book clubs and trade books.  If the free options are not working for you then try out a store that sales used books.  The cost is often 50-90% off what you would pay at your local book shop.  As much as I love my Nook I hate buying books on it - so I really don't!  I take advantage of the free reading apps and download the free books.  For example:  Lifeway has a Lifeway reader app.  I downloaded it for free and then they sent me an email they had put a wide assortment of Beth Moore Ebooks on sale for FREE!  I ended up getting 10 free Beth Moore books for the Lifeway App that I use on my Nook.  Pretty cool right?  If you buy books on your tablet you are at a loss of making a little money back when you read and want to sale it on your local online yard sale site.

2.  Video Games

This really urks me.  Video games are stupidly expensive.  Do you really think you need to blow a tank of gas on a game?  Oh well, to each their own.  Don't buy those games brand new.  Save the $60, wait a few weeks until people start beating the game and then buy it at a reduced rate (50% sound good?).  Also, try renting them from your local Redbox.  $2 to try a game and see if you like it beats the pants off of blowing $60+ on a game you find out in five minutes you hate.

3.  Toys

I hate buying toys.  They are expensive and they lose the kid's attention within 2 hours.  Do not buy new toys.  Instead hit up children's consignment stores and sales to find that "it" toy for your kid.  You won't feel half as crappy when they are bored with it after thirty minutes as you would if you had blown $80 on it at Christmas.  This totally goes for baby toys too.  You have two hands and Lysol wipes?  You can clean that bad boy and the kid will love it because they don't know what new is!

4.  Home Accents

This hits close to home!  If you are on a budget then you need to keep your home costs low.  Decorating your humble abode can be done effectively by shopping consignment stores and also taking advantage of spring moving sales.  You can purchase everything from art work to furniture to linens at specialty consignment stores for housewares.  

5.  Sports Equipment

Spring is less than 60 days away and that means it will be time to hit up the bases, courses, and courts.  Save yourself some major lettuce by hitting up used sporting goods shops to get bats, gloves, clubs, balls, rackets and more at deeply cheapened prices.