During the holidays I was at my parents'home and I spent a lot of time with my mom's sewing machine. When I got back to Vancouver, I thought it was time that I should "come of age" and finally get my own sewing machine since I was only home maybe once a year these days, which allows for a lot of sewing projects to accumulate.
My first instinct was to go to Sears and buy one. But then I started perusing Craigslist and came across a bunch of machines in good condition for quite a bit less than I would have paid for a new one. Another thing I discovered is that craigslist has a "free" section where you can get almost anything imaginable free of charge (sofas, dishes, books, clothes, dining room sets, televisions, washing machines, you name it!) - you usually just have to go and pick it up. You could probably outfit your entire house with free stuff from craigslist -most of it in relatively good condition too!
In the end, I am the proud owner of an almost-new-still-in-the-box sewing machine that still had the manual with it for $50! A new one of equivalent quality would have cost at least three times that amount.
What is great about buying used is that not only does it save you money, you are diverting these previously-loved goods from the landfill (as most people are moving or getting new stuff, so the old stuff just has to go!) but in a way, you are also sort of helping to reduce the amount of stuff in circulation by decreasing the demand for new stuff. (Did that make any sense?) It works both ways too -if you have stuff kicking around your home that you no longer use or need, post for sale or for free on Craigslist, or bring it to a thrift shop like the Salvation Army where you will help make a difference in someone else's life!
You can also check out the "freecycle" organization in your neighbourhood. Just google freecycle and it will bring you to the site. Then you just sign up for the emails. Lots of emails, but lots of good/free stuff too.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Martinna!
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