If you’re anything like me, splurging on full-price puzzles isn’t always feasible. Though I adore the thrill of unwrapping a puzzle fresh from the brand’s packaging, it’s not always within my budget. I’ve set a monthly spending limit for myself, and to stretch it further, I mainly opt for used or second-hand puzzles. There are still clever ways to snag brand-new puzzles on the cheap, or even for free, and I’m thrilled to spill the beans on my top tactics for acquiring and sourcing jigsaw puzzles without breaking the bank!

Thrift Stores

Ah, the timeless haven of thrift stores! They’re a goldmine for finding both new and pre-loved puzzles at bargain prices. While the selection might vary based on your locale, I’ve been lucky at my local Goodwill. With two Goodwill stores less than a 15-minute drive away, I’ve built the bulk of my collection by searching their shelves. My Goodwill prices typically range from $2.99 to $7.99 per puzzle. I’ve been able to source new and completely sealed puzzles, open box puzzles with the bag still sealed, and open and previously assembled puzzles that have all their pieces included. I even stumbled upon a 500+ piece Liberty Wooden Puzzle for a mere $3.99 a couple of weeks back—a steal considering they usually retail for $100-$150! 

Yard Sales

As the weather warms, keep your eyes peeled for yard sales in your neck of the woods. They’re prime hunting grounds for second-hand puzzles. Prices may fluctuate from house to house, but post-puzzle completion, most sellers aren’t too attached. One aspect I love about yard sales? Haggling! While I’ll often pay the asking price if it’s reasonable, I’ve discovered a good trick—asking for a discount when purchasing multiple puzzles. More often than not, sellers are keen to offload their puzzles and are flexible on price.

Little Free Puzzle Libraries

As a book lover, stumbling upon a Little Free Library during my city strolls always brings joy. But imagine my delight upon discovering Little Free Puzzle Libraries! These charming structures, nestled outside homes, are dedicated to sharing puzzles within the community. Individuals can drop off puzzles for others to borrow and vice versa. In my locale, I’ve uncovered two such gems. Curious if there’s one in your neck of the woods? Check out The Puzzle Republic’s searchable map! And if you’re aware of a library missing from the map, reach out to The Puzzle Republic to add it to their map to ensure more folks in your community can partake in the puzzle-sharing fun.

Buy Nothing Pages

Throughout my journey across three different cities in the past decade, I’ve found Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook for those areas. These community-driven groups facilitate the exchange of goods, services, and favors—all for free! While household items dominate the offerings, keep your eyes peeled for gifted puzzles. Although they’re not a frequent find, diligent monitoring might just lead you to a puzzling jackpot. Learn more about Buy Nothing pages on the Buy Nothing Project page.

Local Puzzle Swaps

If your puzzle stash includes ones unlikely to grace your tabletop again, explore the possibility of local puzzle swaps. These events offer a fantastic opportunity to revitalize your collection. Simply bring along puzzles you’re willing to part with and peruse the selections brought by others. Unlike a strict one-for-one exchange, you’re typically free to snag as many puzzles as you fancy. Rules may vary from swap to swap, so it’s wise to touch base with the organizer for clarity. To unearth upcoming swaps, consider joining local Facebook puzzle groups, frequenting board game and puzzle shops, checking Meetup.com or following local puzzlers on Instagram or TikTok.

Libraries

Explore the offerings of your local library, as many now extend lending services to include puzzles. While availability varies by region, it’s worth investigating whether your library stocks puzzles for borrowing. While my local library doesn’t offer this service, I’ve discovered a ton of budget-friendly puzzles at their monthly book sale. 

Speed Puzzling Events & Competitions

Are you a puzzle-solving speed demon? Put your skills to the test by participating in speed puzzling competitions and events. While I may not boast lightning-fast puzzle-solving abilities, I’m fascinated by those who do. Keep an eye out for such events at your local board game and puzzle shops, where winners often walk away with gift certificates and a freshly assembled puzzle. Reach out to local establishments to inquire about upcoming events and potential prizes—your next puzzling triumph might be just around the corner!

Facebook Marketplace, Mercari & Ebay

Online marketplaces like Mercari, Ebay and Facebook Marketplace are a great place to find discounted puzzles. I like to start by scouring local listings before widening my search radius. Similar to yard sales, it pays to inquire about price flexibility, especially if puzzles are bundled together. Don’t overlook listings offering shipping, as it broadens your selection. Keep an eye out for free shipping weekends on Facebook, often coinciding with holidays, to snag puzzles from afar without incurring exorbitant shipping fees. And if you stumble upon multiple individual puzzles from a single seller, shoot them a message beforehand to inquire about combined shipping—a potential money-saving hack!

Online & Local Puzzling Groups

Tap into the power of local puzzling groups if your community boasts a vibrant puzzle-loving scene. I’ve joined a Facebook group in my area dedicated to swapping, donating, and selling both new and pre-loved puzzles. These groups serve as invaluable resources for discovering local puzzle swaps and events. Meetup.com is a great place to search to see if there is an in-person group in your area. If such a group doesn’t exist in your area, consider taking the reins and starting one yourself!

Instagram Giveaways

Dive into the vibrant puzzling community on Instagram—also dubbed Puzzlegram—where a plethora of giveaways await. I enjoy scrolling through posts from fellow puzzle lovers, looking at images and video of their current progress or completed puzzles. Most puzzle brands maintain a presence on Instagram, making it a prime platform for staying abreast of new releases. Keep your eyes peeled for giveaways hosted by influencers, brands, or artists licensing their art for puzzles. I like to post about the giveaways that I find in my Stories so feel free to give me a follow to stay up to date. With typically low entry numbers, Instagram giveaways present a promising chance to score a fresh addition to your collection. I speak from experience, having snagged two new Villager brand puzzles courtesy of two different talented artists! 

Instagram Puzzle-Alongs & Themed Games:

Beyond giveaways, immerse yourself in the puzzle community’s diverse array of events, from Puzzle-Alongs to themed games. During a Puzzle-Along, hosts select a theme—like Spring—and participants complete puzzles aligning with the chosen topic. Sharing a snapshot of your finished puzzle, accompanied by a designated hashtag, could earn you prizes sponsored by puzzle brands. It’s a delightful way to indulge in puzzling while potentially scoring a brand-new addition to your collection.

Traveling Puzzles

Another cool option is to join a traveling puzzle list. Brands or puzzle owners organize these by compiling a list of individuals eager to assemble a particular puzzle. The puzzle gets shipped out and then gets passed along from one person to the next via mail. Usually when you receive it you have a set period of time you can keep it before you have to pass it along and you’ll be in charge covering of the shipping fee to pass it along to the next person. So while there may be a small cost associated with these, it’s an excellent opportunity to tackle puzzles that might typically exceed your budget. While they may be a bit more elusive to come by, I’ve stumbled upon a few of these gems through Instagram. I like to share the signup lists in my stories on my Instagram account when I come across them.

Building Community

As puzzle enthusiasts, we’re not just piecing together images—we’re weaving connections within our communities and fostering a shared love for the joy of puzzling. Whether you’re hunting for treasures in thrift stores, navigating the digital marketplace for deals, or immersing yourself in the vibrant online puzzle community, remember that the thrill of finding that perfect puzzle is as much about the journey as it is about the finished masterpiece. So, armed with these savvy strategies, venture forth and embark on your puzzle-hunting escapades.

Happy puzzling!