Confessions of a Cheapskate

New or used?  For me, being a self proclaimed cheapskate, the answer is usually used.  It’s simple.  I can get nicer stuff used than I can get if I buy new.  That is almost always the case for me.  SLR camera, used.  Bike, used.  Rear derailleur for said bike, used.  Tires … Err.  New.  Some things it turns out do turn me towards the new market.  Tires are one of them.  Skis are another.

How do I decide what I should buy new, and what I should buy used?  I don’t know why this was banging around my head today, because I don’t really know the answer.  I do know, that with certain items, I’m going new, and I don’t really think about it too much.  Car tires, I guess like the warranty and the knowledge that something that the safety of my family relies on are new.  Not damaged from some other bonehead takin em wheeling and cutting the sidewall.  But, bike tires, yep, I still go new. But those zipp wheels I got, definitely not new, and I hope I don’t die.

I suppose everyone who is a bargain hunter at heart has some things they will go after new.  Let’s take a car, which I buy used, and bring up to snuff.   I use almost all new parts along the way.  I keep my receipts and I document the work with pictures.  I won’t keep the car forever, but I know I add value to the car by using good parts and retaining the documentation.

This article stalled out….

But, I did get those Zipp wheels on the bike and they work great, and are super fast.   👍