Don’t buy new

So many products, so little time – dip in and out of the technology craze with gadgets and appliances when you buy them second-hand saving yourself loads of money in the process.

Second-hand

It feels like we change technology almost every week with new tech arriving on shelves and adverts highlighting fantastic features we didn’t know we could live without. This fast pace means there’s of pieces of kit out there which have hardly been used before becoming obsolete or unwanted.

But how do you get some of this stuff? Find out about local retailers offering second-hand electricals with guarantees on the London Re-use Network website.

Buy online

There’s a whole community out there making it really easy to buy and sell items you no longer want, you can try the popular sites Ebay and Gumtree or find another online community you trust.

Get for free online

Sometimes it’s easier to just give it away, that’s what happens on Freecycle and Freegle. A great range of items (not just electrical ones) are usually available in your local area for free.

Charity Shops

Not all shops accept donations of electrical items because they can’t test them for electrical safety but the ones that can accept them test everything and then you can buy. Each one has a different range of items so go have a browse.

Share, borrow and lend

How many times do you use the drill in the shed or the popcorn maker hiding in the back of the kitchen cupboard? There are some gadgets that we have just in case, we keep them around for a special occasion like a big family dinner or a once a year event like cutting back the tall hedges or putting up a shelf. There’s no point everyone owning everything you could possibly want so sometimes it’s best to share – with your family, your neighbours, local church or a local online community. To find out more about web-based groups check out Ecomodo and StreetBank.

Hire

Why buy a cement mixer when you can hire one, an obscure example we know but it’s not the only thing you can hire. So for DIY tasks or short term needs see if this is an option for you.