VIRGINIA BEACH --  Many people are making their list and checking it twice as the tight economy puts a pinch on Christmas shopping.

To stretch your holiday dollar, consider buying gently-used items. 

Smart shoppers believe there are some things that you should never purchase brand new.

Atop that list is fine jewelry.  You can buy a special piece of bling from a pawn shop and save up to 50-percent.

Books are a great deal at thrift stores and used book stores.

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For example, at Goodwill Industries in Va. Beach, all paperbacks are $1.00; hard cover books cost $3.00.

Nine-year-old Isaiah Scott already has a shopper’s eye for a deal.

“I think everybody should be a smart shopper, just like me,” he says.

While you’re there, check out the toy section in the thrift stores. At Goodwill, toys for young children range start around $1.00.

If you’re worried about recalled toys, don’t be.  Goodwill says it is notified whenever a safety recall is issued.  And Goodwill does take returns.

Another gift you don’t need to pay full price for is software and computer games. At Goodwill, a game that cost $50.00 retail was selling for $5.25. 

And if that isn't a good enough deal, Goodwill has weekly specials – tags of a certain color are half price, so you can save a lot more.

Kids tend to quickly lose interest in sports, so sporting goods make the list.

A popular sport these days is lacrosse, but most teams don’t provide the equipment for your kids. A new helmet sells for $100 to $160. At Play It Again Sports, the resale value for used helmets is $59.99.

The company has deep discounts on everything from exercise equipment to ice skates and golf clubs.

Other items that, for the most part, are a better deal used are DVDs and CDs, timeshares, cars, office furniture and hand tools.