This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Point Park chapter.
Photos by Haleigh Kopinski
Lots of collegiettes never had to worry about saving money or being thrifty until heading off to school, and even more of these collegiettes didn’t know that thrift stores offer student discounts to give you more bang for you buck (some even run half-off specials on certain days!) If your goal is to save money in style, follow these helpful thrift-shopping tips:
- Know your discounts! All Goodwill stores (not just the ones in the Pittsburgh area) offer a 10% student discount with a valid student id from ANY college. Red, White, and Blue Thrift Store has a Senior Citizens Day on Wednesdays in which anyone over the ages of 55 gets 50% off. While most students aren’t the age of 55, why not take your grandma for a shopping trip?
- Figure out how the store is organized. Goodwill has clothing racks separated by style of clothing – jeans, shorts, long-sleeved, short-sleeved… you name it! Each of these racks are then categorized by sizes. Red, White, and Blue however, organize their clothing racks by color.
- Have an idea of what you want before you go in unless you have lots of time to kill since you’ll most likely get caught up in browsing! Thrift stores are sometimes overwhelming, but color coordinated racks make it easy if you’re looking for clothes for a certain holiday or special event (such as Mardi Gras or Fourth of July parties). Size racks help for times when there is no particular item you’re looking for, but want some new clothes.
- Always check before you buy. There are great finds at thrift stores, but there are also shirts with rips or pants with stains. Always check and double-check what you are buying before purchasing, and try things on in the dressing rooms first. Almost all thrift stores don’t take returns!
- Buy everything used. You can buy anything from plates, accessories, and records to movies, furniture, and decorations. The best part about thrift shops is the “upcycling” aspect. Painting, reupholstering, tie dying, and sewing are all just some of the ways to give old or worn out items a new and personalized look to add to your closet or home!