Whether you’re buying back-to-school clothes or items for your dorm, shopping thrift stores is a great way to find unique items that won’t strain your budget. You can buy second-hand items online from the comfort of your own home, in person at your local thrift store, or by spending the weekend browsing garage sales.
Many thrift stores have new donations every day, but the beginning of the month is a great time to shop secondhand, especially if you live in a college town, as they get a lot of donations from people who are moving.
Thrift shopping is an adventure: the best finds are often hidden on clothing racks or behind other items, so be prepared to spend some time searching for treasures.
Check out this video for tips on thrift shopping like a pro.
Savings
To avoid impulse purchases, make a list of the items you need before you set off on your thrift store crawl.
Thrift stores are especially great if you’re looking for:
Books. Clothes. Kitchenware. Art. Furniture.
When buying clothing, look for quality fabrics like wool, silk, cashmere, and leather.
Many thrift stores carry a wide variety of items, but some specialize in furniture or art.
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How to use old clothes
If you’re looking for second-hand clothes, take some time to go through the clothes you already own and get rid of anything you no longer wear or that no longer fits. Sort your clothes into categories: keep, sell, donate, or recycle.
Watch this video to learn how to dispose of unused clothes sustainably.
Take note of the clothes you keep and think about the items you need to fill the gaps in your wardrobe.
Some thrift stores will buy your used clothing for cash or store credit.
You can also sell your products online through marketplace apps, and if you have high-end designer items, there are also online resale platforms to sell those items.
If you have a lot of items you want to sell other than clothes, host a garage sale.
Consider donating old clothes and towels to a local nonprofit. Check the organization’s website to see if they accept donations and what items they do and don’t accept. You may be able to deduct your donation on your taxes.
As an alternative to traditional donation methods, you can also host a clothing swap party with friends or your community.
Before you toss that torn shirt in the trash, consider taking your old clothes to a fabric donation site. There may be one in your city, or even a donation box in your parking lot.
Ask your retailer. Retailers often run clothing recycling drives throughout the year and offer incentives for donations. For example, Target’s Denim Take-Back event offers discounts to people who donate their old denim.
