Stuff you should never buy NEW

1. Books: most books don't get read more than once and they're astonishingly easy to find used at steep discounts -- if not absolutely free. Craigslist and yard sales are best places to look for used books. Also, your local library may allow you to reserve titles online and then deliver them to your nearest branch for pick-up


2. DVDs and CDs: Online retailers like MSN and Amazon.com, now sells used versions of many of the DVD movies. You can find similar deals for online CDs. Other good hunting grounds for purchasing used DVDs are movie rental chains like Blockbuster, used record stores and yard sale


3. Little kids' toys: It's impossible to predict which toy will be a hit with your kids and which will lie at the bottom of the toy box. So rather than gamble at full price, search consignment shops and yard sales for bargains


4. Sports equipment: We may buy everything from badminton rackets to weight sets fully intending to wear them out, but too often they wind up collecting dust. Buy someone else's good intention and you'll save some bucks. Again, search online and in yard sales


5. Cars: As per Edmunds.com, the average new car loses 12.2% of its value in the first year. This means you lose $2,440 in first year on a $20,000 car. Some cars depreciate even faster, depending on demand, incentives offered and other factors


6. Hand tools: Well-made tools with few or no moving parts -- like hammers, wrenches, shovels, hoes, etc. -- can last decades with proper maintenance and are relatively easy to find at yard sales. If you're not going to use a tool frequently, you may be able to rent it or borrow from a friend or neighbor rather than buying something else to clutter up your garage