The actress says she often finds herself repeating the same sentences and is becoming increasingly forgetful.
FROM out-of-print poetry collections to gently worn children’s clothes, preloved items are no longer merely a fallback for the cash-strapped. Instead, the hunt for secondhand goods is increasingly embraced as a practical and even exciting way to shop, offering rare finds and a way to cut down waste amid rising living costs.
For shipping clerk and avid reader Hamdan Shaqirin Herman Shah, 33, used books are a passion rather than a compromise.“It is a good opportunity to find something special,” he told StarMetro. Hamdan said his relationship with preloved books began out of necessity during his university days in Penang, when buying brand-new titles was a luxury he could not afford. “Back then, I used to spend hours browsing the wide selections at secondhand bookstores at the Chowrasta Market. “Even reference books related to my studies were available, sometimes for just RM15 per book,” he recalled.He still finds satisfaction in scoring deals. “Recently, I spent about RM20 on three used books,” he said, adding that he also discovered a secondhand bookstore that organised offline book exchange drives.“For me, if the book is readable, it is okay. It doesn’t have to be in pristine condition.Hamdan, who enjoys crime and mystery thrillers and counts Ramlee Awang Murshid as his favourite author, often squeezes in up to five hours of reading daily. “I also share my books with my wife and younger sister,” he said, pointing out that the “little book club” at home meant the reading materials were appreciated by more than one person.Muhammad Ariff showing his cherished collection of old and rare books. This sentiment is echoed by senior executive Muhammad Ariff Mohamad Nizam, 33, who hunts for rare books through online marketplaces and social media chat groups.“I have also come across out-of-print titles,” he said. Among his most cherished possessions is a collection of poems from the 1970s by national laureate Usman Awang.“Those books are very valuable to me,” he added. While he is willing to spend up to RM200 on a secondhand book, Muhammad Ariff noted that some rare historical titles could fetch prices as high as RM1,000.“To me, it adds character.Ng and he daughter Sophia prefer reading preloved books as a way of combating the trend of overconsumption. Pharmacist Deborah Ng, 36, uses secondhand shopping to teach daughter Sophia Wong, eight, about the value of money.“The books are usually hand-me-downs from her aunty and cousins.She also exchanges children’s books with colleagues who have young families.“It’s exciting, especially when overconsumption has become such a big trend,” she said.She hopes that there will be a shift in mindset where value is measured by utility rather than novelty. Beyond books, the preloved acquisition mindset is equally strong in the world of clothes, particularly for families navigating the current economy.Housewife and mother-of-six Niza Razali, 40, said opting for preloved clothing was sensible and practical.“My youngest is only two and children outgrow clothes so quickly,” she said. Niza sourced items from bundle shops, thrift stores and a community fabric project in Taman Pulai Indah, where clothes were sorted and offered for free.“When they have outgrown their clothes, I donate them to neighbours with small children, to avoid wastage,” said Niza.“We can choose what we want and just drop by the counter to weigh the items for their record.”“I make it a point to give away my clothes regularly, but make sure they are still suitable.Chew noted the growing number of secondhand clothing and accessory stores opening in Johor Baru over the past few years.Follow us on our official
Rare Finds Waste Reduction Secondhand Books Treasure Hunt Cost-Saving Conscious Shopping Hamdan Shaqirin Herman Shah Ramlee Awang Murshid Community Fabric Project
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