My favorite item on the list? Pets:

Dropping hundreds of dollars for a new pet seems almost criminal when you get down to the cold, hard facts.

There are thousands of shelters in the United States and sadly, between 3 million and 4 million of the cuddly critters that wander into their doors each year are eventually euthanized, according to ASPCA. 

While you're likely to encounter more mutts than anything, those of you who won't settle for less than purebreds are in luck. About a quarter of all shelter animals are purebred. 

Bikes are good to buy used, too:

Like cars, new models of bicycles come out every season, which means you're likely to see older models pop up on sites for a fraction of the cost during colder seasons like fall and winter.

If prices at your local bike shop aren't appealing, try Craigslist or eBay.

Think about commuting to work on your new ride and watch your savings grow even more.

Before you buy online, be sure to use due diligence. If an ad seems fishy or uses a stock image, the bike might have been stolen. 

Not sure I agree with cars.  It's been a buyer's market the past 5 or 6 years, so the 20% of value can be pretty much pre-dropped with all excep the most exclusive models using online pricing or services or leasing.  Also safety technology, reliability, quality, and gas mileagle go up every year.  More importantly, factory warranties are great insurance against costly surprise repairs, which are less likely to happen with a new car and more likely with a used one.   They don't make cars like they used to *and* that's a good thing!

Some cars seem to get better with age. Depends on the model. But you make a good point.