15 things you're better off buying used

We wouldn't recommend going the used route on important items like car seats or strollers, but when it comes to children's clothing — which is likely to get wrecked by smashed carrots anyway — there's no shame saving.

Try browsing reputable thrift shops in your neighborhood or, of course, asking friends and family for handmedowns.

And if all else fails, try re-seller sites like Swap.com or ThredUP.

Everyone loves that "new car" smell, but hear us out on this one.

The minute you drive a fresh car off the lot, its value drops by about 20%. Imagine the value lost after just five years.

You'll want to be weary of hitting the used car lot before doing your research. Sites like Kelley Blue Book are great places to get an idea of how much a used car should be worth.

Before you cart off a few thousand dollars worth of kitchen appliances from Sears, think about buying big ticket items from friends and family, or online.

Things like refrigerators and washing machines are plentiful on Craigslist, and smaller kitchen appliances like blenders, mixers, and microwaves are easiest to score.

You're in real luck if you have a pair of friends who recently moved in together. Chances are they won't want duplicate appliances cluttering their cabinets.

Like cars, new models of bicycles come out every season, which means you're likely to see older models pop up on sites for a fraction of the cost during colder seasons.

If prices at your local bike shop aren't appealing, try Craigslist or eBay.

Think about commuting to work on your new ride and watch your savings grow even more.

Before you buy online, be sure to use due diligence. If an ad seems fishy or uses a stock image, the bike might have been stolen.

Do your budget a favor and skip Toys R Us for these more affordable used options: Craigslist, eBay, Swap.com, or your neighborhood yard sales. Each is a gold mine when it comes to finding cheap, but still usable cast-off toys.

Chances are your 5-year-old won't remember whether the Tonka truck you bought him for Christmas was used or not when he's pushing 30.

Re-seller sites like Craigslist are treasure troves for anyone looking for used furniture. And if you're not willing to put up with flaky sellers or bed bug threats, don't be afraid to ask family and friends to see if they're looking to get rid of any furniture.

Check out FleaPortal and Collectors.org for a list of different indoor and outdoor flea markets in the US, too.

Thrift shops like Goodwill and the Salvation Army both offer furniture, but be sure to call in advance. Not all shops carry larger items like bed frames and dressers.

Remember, no wedding guest or bridesmaid should pay full-price for a gown she'll only wear once. What you can't rent from sites like Renttherunway.com or Bagborrowsteal.com, check out consignment shops or thrifts stores for gently used formal wear.

For brides-to-be on a budget, check out the virtual racks on Recycledbride.com to score discount gowns and accessories that no one will ever guess were used.

Lucky fellas might score a tux for a fancy cocktail dinner and still be able to afford tailoring with the cash they saved by buying used. You can re-sell the garments you only wear once — just be kind to them so you'll get as much of their value back as possible.

If you're on the prowl for fresh DVDs, Blu-Rays, video games, or music, there's no reason to buy them full price.

eBay, Amazon.com and swap sites like Swap.com are among the best places to score deals on entertainment.

Electronics like game consoles and laptops are another story. You can certainly find excellent bargains by purchasing them secondhand online, but you likely won't be able to get a warranty with them.

It might be a better idea to look for an older home rather than browsing new developments.

Bankrate.com says existing homes are usually less expensive per square foot because of rising land costs, so your money will go further.

You're also likely to enjoy traditional features of older homes, and an established neighborhood, if you buy an existing house.

Before you head to over to Tiffany's, do your bank account a solid and consider this slightly less whimsical option: the pawn shop.

Trust us, not all those shelves are filled with broken appliances and handguns of questionable origins. The fact is that jewelry — especially diamonds — has a terribly low resale value.

That's great news for the clever consumer who hits up estate sales or other resellers to find new bling.

If you're a girl in your 20s and you've never hosted or been to a clothing swap night with your friends, you are seriously missing out. Swaps are a great way to score designer gear you'd never be able to afford yourself.

If you're unimpressed by your buddies' fashion sense, then there are plenty of vintage or online swap sites like Bag, Borrow or Steal to quench your thirst for threads. The same sites and apps that help you earn money by selling your used clothing also sell these goods for a discounted price.

Scout shops first, either by checking out their reviews on Yelp or stopping by in person. If they seem unclean or have a reputation for poor quality clothing, you're probably better off avoiding them.

If you're a fitness nut, or just getting into exercise, buying brand new equipment is unnecessary. Most gym equipment, such as dumbbells, medicine balls, and ladders don't have an expiration date and will last for a while.

Plus, if you don't end up using the elliptical or weights as much as you'd planned, you won't feel as guilty about the purchase later on.

If you're looking to invest in bigger purchases such as a treadmill or other exercise machines, you'll want to put in a good amount of research and scrutinize the products more, but foregoing the brand new, shiny equipment could save you thousands. Play It Again Sports sells used equipment at various store locations, and eBay and Amazon have a variety of offerings.

Stocking up on brand new, squeaky clean tools isn't worth it, especially if you're an average joe and won't be using them consistently. Tools have a long lifespan, and chances are, the used screwdriver or hammer you find at a garage sale or on Craigslist will last you forever.

If you're looking to invest in power tools you should be more diligent when picking out used ones. Start by visiting the websites for Sears, The Home Depot, Lowe's, or Ace Hardware to get an idea of prices and models (visit the store if you have time so you can actually pick up the tools). Then look at online sites like eBay and Craigslist and pay attention to the age and condition of the tools described when comparing prices.

Pawnshops, thrift stores, live auctions, flea markets, and garage sales are also good places to score a deal on used tools.

If you're in the market for a new hobby, or want your kids to get involved in music, don't bother dropping hundreds on a new instrument, especially if you're not sure you or your kids will continue with it after a year or two.

Check out Craigslist or eBay for some steals. There are even second-hand stores that sell instruments exclusively, like Music Go Round and websites that do the same, like Guitar Center.