Every first-timethrifter has that moment.
You stumble on a thrilling designer find and realize thrift stores can be a treasure trove for your wardrobe.
My heart literally skipped a beat!
I still have all of the pieces.
Chanel blazers, Yves Saint Laurent jackets …
It was a thrift dream.
Is Buying Secondhand Really Best for Your Budget?
Sustainable and recycled fashion is a movement that has picked up a lot of steam in recent years.
According toBusiness Dasher, 37% of consumers upped their spending on secondhand clothing last year.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries… And as Becker reminds us, the thrill of the find can be its own reward.
You never forget that emotion.
Theres a science to picking the right store at the right time.
Look at listings for local thrift stores to discern their inventory and clientele.
Becker says shes been a longtime shopper atGoodwillbecause of the mission they support, even before she joined.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If it’s crucial that you wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
Every thrift store has a schedule for processing donations and putting out new clothing on the shelves.
Ask the staff to share the scoop on the best time to find new stuff.
There is so much clothing in the secondhand sphere that theres plenty to go around; Becker insists.
I go multiple times a week or month to ensure thrift success to score what I love and need.
Take a walk through your closet and note what you need.
Decide how much you have to spend and make a run at stick to your budget.
Note which special fashion garments you might be willing to go over budget for and by how much.
When you start thrifting, the adage that time is money will hit close to home.
However, she says dont despair because practice makes perfect.
I think a significant barrier to thrifting is the time/search component and I get it.
Time is one of the most valuable things that everyone has.
You know how you shouldnt go grocery shopping hungry?
Well, you shouldnt go thrifting hungry either.
Youll get cranky and sluggish and start second-guessing every pick you pull off the rack.
Have some lunch, invite friends and make it an event worth remembering and laughing about later.
Dont overlook selections of sandals or sundresses in fall or sweaters and boots in the summer.
Its happened to everyone.
Because thrift store clothing is cheaper, it can be easy to talk yourself into just one more.
One more pair of sweatpants.
One more faux leather jacket.
But if youre shopping for yourself, dont be afraid to ask hard questions.
However, the misconception that thrift store clothing is in need of major rehab is usually a misplaced concern.
That said, donor tip: Do not donate worn out and unusable shoes!
Start with known brands like Goodwill that have a cheap online thrift store for bargain hunters.
Looking for vintage fashion?
Other online thrift shops that stock known fashion labels includeThredUpandThrifted.
And if youre willing to invest a little time and effort, thrift store threads pay dividends.
Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To?
We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up.
When money is tight,these resourceswill help nearly everyone.
Kaz Weida is a former senior writer with The Penny Hoarder.
