10 Things You Should Always Buy New
Part of your good parenting skills is being able to budget your money well. Many parents will agree that having kids really put a big hole in your pocket. The thing is, prioritize with your spending. However, there are just some things you can't compromise…
Even if it will save you a lot of money, you should never buy some items used. Buying the items listed here second-hand may simply be dangerous to your health:
1. Cribs and children's furniture: You may be putting your child's health at risk. You don't know what illnesses the previous child owner has had. Buying used children's furniture is definitely a health hazard for your child.
2. Car seats: Car seat quality improves significantly every year. And they usually cost less than $50. Scrimping on these items may cause you to miss out on new safety features that will tremendously reduce hazards you and your family may be exposed to.
3. Bicycle helmets: A helmet that's been used during a crash would usually have the foam inside the helmet casing crushed. That significantly reduces any protection you could be getting from a brand new helmet.
4. Tires: You won't be able to tell if a tire has been part of a total wreck. If that's the case, the tire is most likely unstable and definitely not reliable.
5. Laptops: They are exposed to abuse and a lot of other problems. You don't know which parts of the laptop will soon die out unless you're guaranteed that it's been totally refurbished.
6. Software: These usually have serial numbers that buyers have to register with the software company. Once the serial number has been registered, it can't be used again.
7. Plasma and HDTVs: Fixing these kinds of TV is too expensive you might as well buy a new TV.
8. DVD players: Unless you have proof the unit is less than three months old, don't buy a used DVD player. They have lasers that will wear out. And the cost of repair is just too much.
9. Digital and video cameras: Like laptops, these portable devices have most likely been dropped and banged around. They are also very expensive to repair. Get a new one instead.
10. Speakers and microphones: Every time these appliances are mishandled, their performance is severely compromised.
Is there anything else that I missed? Feel free to add to this list.