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Shopping

How to be a savvy shopper

Being a savvy shopper means being a smart, informed buyer who plans ahead, avoids impulse buys, compares prices, uses deals (like coupons/cashback), understands quality, and knows their rights to get the best value, focusing on needs and long-term satisfaction rather than just flashy sales. 

We hope this guide helps you find your inner savvy shopper!

Shopping for appliances

Buying your next home appliance second hand is a great way to save money and reduce the amount of usable appliances going to landfill. You can reduce packaging going to waste as new appliances come with a bin-full of packaging materials and not all of them are recyclable. But how do you ensure you’re buying good quality second hand appliances? We’ve got some top tips to help you.

If you are buying from an individual then make sure to see the item before you pay and fully test that it works before you take it home with you.

Having the model or serial number of the appliance so you can get spare parts if you need to and to download the manual for appliances off the internet in case you need to.

Don’t be put off by dirt or cosmetic marks and damage as this isn’t detrimental to how well the appliance will work.

Where possible see if you can test that the appliance works e.g. a kettle or microwave can be plugged in and you can check the settings. This isn’t possible with every appliance and in particular larger appliances, so if buying from a shop or organisation, check with their guarantee or returns policy.

Ensure that the wires are intact, no fraying or damage to them. This is because frayed wires can cause fires or give you an electric shock.

Where to find second hand bargains

Some brands that sell refurbished appliances include Dualit, Ninja, and Vitamix. And you can sometimes find kitchenware and cookware on Ikea re-shop and re-use.

As well as physical shops, some charity shops have dedicated online selling platforms, such as ebay shops. Second hand appliances in charity shops, or sold via their online platforms have to be PAT tested before being sold, so you have the peace of mind of knowing that the item you’re buying is safe.

But unlike professionally refurbished appliances, appliances sold by charity shops are pretty much sold in the condition in which they were donated, and don’t come with a warranty. The plus side is that they’re often very cheap, the downside is that there could be missing parts or the appliance may no longer be performing as originally intended.

Reuse Network - is a national network of reuse centres who stock high-quality, affordable household items. Many centres will still charge for items but at a significantly cheaper rate than retail. People on benefits get a discount of 30% on items they buy.

Online marketplaces

Websites like ebay, Gumtree, Facebook marketplace and Vinted, are all excellent places to source good quality second hand appliances. Many people sell high quality appliances for reasons such as moving house, or unwanted gifts, so there are bargains to be had.

Always follow the safety rules set out by the website to ensure you stay protected. If possible, meet the seller in person and inspect the item before handing over any cash. If the item is being posted, paying through sites such as PayPal can offer additional protection.

Grants

There are a number of charities which give grants to young people who are struggling financially. Search for grants.

Shopping for appliances

Buying your next home appliance second hand is a great way to save money and reduce the amount of usable appliances going to landfill. You can reduce packaging going to waste as new appliances come with a bin-full of packaging materials and not all of them are recyclable. But how do you ensure you’re buying good quality second hand appliances? We’ve got some top tips to help you.

If you are buying from an individual then make sure to see the item before you pay and fully test that it works before you take it home with you.

Having the model or serial number of the appliance so you can get spare parts if you need to and to download the manual for appliances off the internet in case you need to.

Don’t be put off by dirt or cosmetic marks and damage as this isn’t detrimental to how well the appliance will work.

Where possible see if you can test that the appliance works e.g. a kettle or microwave can be plugged in and you can check the settings. This isn’t possible with every appliance and in particular larger appliances, so if buying from a shop or organisation, check with their guarantee or returns policy.

Ensure that the wires are intact, no fraying or damage to them. This is because frayed wires can cause fires or give you an electric shock.

Where to find second hand bargains

Some brands that sell refurbished appliances include Dualit, Ninja, and Vitamix. And you can sometimes find kitchenware and cookware on Ikea re-shop and re-use.

As well as physical shops, some charity shops have dedicated online selling platforms, such as ebay shops. Second hand appliances in charity shops, or sold via their online platforms have to be PAT tested before being sold, so you have the peace of mind of knowing that the item you’re buying is safe.

But unlike professionally refurbished appliances, appliances sold by charity shops are pretty much sold in the condition in which they were donated, and don’t come with a warranty. The plus side is that they’re often very cheap, the downside is that there could be missing parts or the appliance may no longer be performing as originally intended.

Reuse Network - is a national network of reuse centres who stock high-quality, affordable household items. Many centres will still charge for items but at a significantly cheaper rate than retail. People on benefits get a discount of 30% on items they buy.

Online marketplaces

Websites like ebay, Gumtree, Facebook marketplace and Vinted, are all excellent places to source good quality second hand appliances. Many people sell high quality appliances for reasons such as moving house, or unwanted gifts, so there are bargains to be had.

Always follow the safety rules set out by the website to ensure you stay protected. If possible, meet the seller in person and inspect the item before handing over any cash. If the item is being posted, paying through sites such as PayPal can offer additional protection.

Grants

There are a number of charities which give grants to young people who are struggling financially. Search for grants.

Landlords, especially if they are a social landlord, (housing 
associations and council housing providers), often have small grants that tenants can apply for. These include Vivid, Sovereign Housing, Clarion Housing and Aster.

Speak to your housing association for more information.

Use the internet to search for reuse organisations that may sell second hand furniture and appliances.

Here are some websites or organisations you could try:

Gumtree - for second hand furniture and appliances for sale.
Emmaus Hampshire is a social enterprise which helps people out of homelessness. They have a large furniture shop in Eastleigh.
The Community Furniture Project in Basingstoke sells a wide range of used furniture.
The Furniture Helpline in Alton provides affordable household goods, household furniture and white-goods at very low prices to those with a need.
Jacob's Well Care Centre aims to provide furniture to those in need in the Gosport area.
Search the Community Directory to find organisations that can help with furniture.

Charity shops, such as the British Heart Foundation, are also a good place to start if you want to buy second hand goods for the home at affordable prices.

Scratch 

Furnish to Flourish provides basic furniture and household items to individuals and families who are suffering poverty and disadvantage who live in Hampshire.

To access this ask any agency helping you to contact Scratch to refer you.

Furnish to Flourish can offer a Basic Package of furniture including:

  • Three Piece Suite (or similar seating)
  • Beds (as many as are needed, including Doubles, Singles, Cots (when available))
  • Bedding
  • Curtains
  • Kitchen Box (crockery, cutlery, pots & pans etc.)
  • Kettle
  • Toaster
  • Wardrobe
  • Chest of Drawers
  • Bedside Cabinets
  • Table & Chairs
  • Coffee Table
  • T.V. Cabinets

You will need to pay some money towards this but you get enough furniture to furnish you entire home and it is delivered to you.

They are also able to help with single items of furniture - please contact the SCRATCH office for further information and current prices for single pieces.

Some household waste recycling centres have sections where you can buy second hand furniture.

Low cost credit

Smarter Buys
Smarter Buys works in partnership with a number of social landlords to offer tenants a responsible, affordable finance alternative to high-cost high street stores.

If you aren’t a tenant of one of the participating social landlords, you can still purchase essential furniture items from the store but may need a debit or credit card to do so.

Credit Unions
A good place to start is your local Credit Union. A Credit Union is a financial co-operative which provides savings, loans and a range of services to its members. It is owned and controlled by the members so it’s aim is to provide the best service to members rather than profits for 
shareholders.

They can provide loans at low interest rates to members and they encourage members to save with them which is a great way to start building up a credit rating.

Fair for You
Fair for You is an alternative to high cost weekly payment stores and offers 
flexible affordable loans to people on low incomes. It allows families to buy goods direct from their suppliers, with flexible affordable repayment schedules.

As well as helping people access essential items affordably, it also serves to improve their credit rating, making it much easier for them to access mainstream credit in future.

You pay what you can afford, when you can afford it and the faster you pay it off, the less you pay. 

Affordable Loans
Affordable Loans is a useful website that provides an online portal to a range of affordable lending providers. They also partner with Step Change to provide debt advice as well. You can apply through their website and be directed to a local community lender, with low interest rates and with the option of additional debt support. 

Landlords, especially if they are a social landlord, (housing 
associations and council housing providers), often have small grants that tenants can apply for. These include Vivid, Sovereign Housing, Clarion Housing and Aster.

Speak to your housing association for more information.

Use the internet to search for reuse organisations that may sell second hand furniture and appliances.

Here are some websites or organisations you could try:

Gumtree - for second hand furniture and appliances for sale.
Emmaus Hampshire is a social enterprise which helps people out of homelessness. They have a large furniture shop in Eastleigh.
The Community Furniture Project in Basingstoke sells a wide range of used furniture.
The Furniture Helpline in Alton provides affordable household goods, household furniture and white-goods at very low prices to those with a need.
Jacob's Well Care Centre aims to provide furniture to those in need in the Gosport area.
Search the Community Directory to find organisations that can help with furniture.

Charity shops, such as the British Heart Foundation, are also a good place to start if you want to buy second hand goods for the home at affordable prices.

Scratch 

Furnish to Flourish provides basic furniture and household items to individuals and families who are suffering poverty and disadvantage who live in Hampshire.

To access this ask any agency helping you to contact Scratch to refer you.

Furnish to Flourish can offer a Basic Package of furniture including:

  • Three Piece Suite (or similar seating)
  • Beds (as many as are needed, including Doubles, Singles, Cots (when available))
  • Bedding
  • Curtains
  • Kitchen Box (crockery, cutlery, pots & pans etc.)
  • Kettle
  • Toaster
  • Wardrobe
  • Chest of Drawers
  • Bedside Cabinets
  • Table & Chairs
  • Coffee Table
  • T.V. Cabinets

You will need to pay some money towards this but you get enough furniture to furnish you entire home and it is delivered to you.

They are also able to help with single items of furniture - please contact the SCRATCH office for further information and current prices for single pieces.

Some household waste recycling centres have sections where you can buy second hand furniture.

Low cost credit

Smarter Buys
Smarter Buys works in partnership with a number of social landlords to offer tenants a responsible, affordable finance alternative to high-cost high street stores.

If you aren’t a tenant of one of the participating social landlords, you can still purchase essential furniture items from the store but may need a debit or credit card to do so.

Credit Unions
A good place to start is your local Credit Union. A Credit Union is a financial co-operative which provides savings, loans and a range of services to its members. It is owned and controlled by the members so it’s aim is to provide the best service to members rather than profits for 
shareholders.

They can provide loans at low interest rates to members and they encourage members to save with them which is a great way to start building up a credit rating.

Fair for You
Fair for You is an alternative to high cost weekly payment stores and offers 
flexible affordable loans to people on low incomes. It allows families to buy goods direct from their suppliers, with flexible affordable repayment schedules.

As well as helping people access essential items affordably, it also serves to improve their credit rating, making it much easier for them to access mainstream credit in future.

You pay what you can afford, when you can afford it and the faster you pay it off, the less you pay. 

Affordable Loans
Affordable Loans is a useful website that provides an online portal to a range of affordable lending providers. They also partner with Step Change to provide debt advice as well. You can apply through their website and be directed to a local community lender, with low interest rates and with the option of additional debt support. 

Shopping for food

Scope have a helpful guide for young people with additional needs on how to shop for food. 

The Trussell Trust have some helpful advice and can link you to local food banks.

  • Plan your meals: Decide what you'll eat for the week to create a shopping list. 
  • Inventory your pantry: Check your fridge, freezer, and cupboards first to avoid buying more than you need. 
  • Shop on a full stomach: Eating before you shop can prevent impulse buys driven by hunger. 
  • Make a list and stick to it: This is your best defence against unplanned purchases. 
  • Check for sales and coupons: Look at store promotions and use loyalty programs or cashback apps for extra savings. 
  • Plan your meals: Decide what you'll eat for the week to create a shopping list. 
  • Inventory your pantry: Check your fridge, freezer, and cupboards first to avoid buying more than you need. 
  • Shop on a full stomach: Eating before you shop can prevent impulse buys driven by hunger. 
  • Make a list and stick to it: This is your best defence against unplanned purchases. 
  • Check for sales and coupons: Look at store promotions and use loyalty programs or cashback apps for extra savings. 
  • Compare unit prices: Look at the price per 100g or per ml on the shelf tag to find the best value, as the biggest package isn't always the cheapest. 
  • Opt for store brands: Own-brand are often cheaper than name brands and just as good. 
  • Buy in bulk: Buy items like rice, pasta, or toilet paper (things that don't go off) in bulk if the unit price is lower. 
  • Choose whole ingredients: Buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-chopped or pre-washed versions. 
  • Be smart about meat: Buy cheaper cuts, use whole chickens for multiple meals, or replace some meat with budget-friendly plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. 
  • Consider frozen and canned: Frozen and canned fruits, vegetables, and fish are often cheaper and last longer than fresh. 
  • Shop the reduced section: Check for yellow-sticker items, but only buy them if you can use them right away or freeze them. 
  • Compare unit prices: Look at the price per 100g or per ml on the shelf tag to find the best value, as the biggest package isn't always the cheapest. 
  • Opt for store brands: Own-brand are often cheaper than name brands and just as good. 
  • Buy in bulk: Buy items like rice, pasta, or toilet paper (things that don't go off) in bulk if the unit price is lower. 
  • Choose whole ingredients: Buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-chopped or pre-washed versions. 
  • Be smart about meat: Buy cheaper cuts, use whole chickens for multiple meals, or replace some meat with budget-friendly plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. 
  • Consider frozen and canned: Frozen and canned fruits, vegetables, and fish are often cheaper and last longer than fresh. 
  • Shop the reduced section: Check for yellow-sticker items, but only buy them if you can use them right away or freeze them. 
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