Ok, so you've got down the whole low-cost housing and transportation thing, and you make 99.9% of your food at home. You bought a used car in cash, and when you shop, it's for something you really, truly need. "So, like, that's it, right?" I say as I dust my hands off and get up from the table. "I got this frugality thing down pat."
-BOOM- "What the -" "FREEZE!" Another me appears out of nowhere. She's wearing 1920's pilot's goggles and her hair looks like she just stepped out of a windstorm. A dusty one. Other me runs towards me. "I'm you, from the future! Listen, I know you think you're saving money, but you've missed something key here! It's called...USED" she says, clasping my shoulder and gesturing towards what I assume is an invisible sunset. I have a confession to make. Despite my frugal ways, which have been pretty much a part of my DNA since birth, I have overlooked the used market. Nay, I have frowned upon it from afar, only dipping a toe with the odd kijiji purchase. But I have been mistaken. I have discovered something real. Something good. Something...amazing. Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of consignment stores. You see, it wasn't all my fault. Growing up, I was taught that buying used clothing was gross. And, to be honest, the rare occasion I'd risked a venture into a Goodwill or Value Village had not been impressive enough to convince me otherwise. It felt like a job to buy clothes there, searching through racks upon racks of 30 year old sweaty shirts to find the odd gem, which I was too afraid of bedbugs to try on. Thrift stores can be great, and they work for some people, but for some of us, it's just too much work. Enter the consignment store: the happy medium between thrift stores and the mall. Consignment stores are where people sell their unwanted clothes. This means the selection is smaller but much better than a thrift store, as consignment stores are much picker about what they sell. The beauty of a consignment store is that you get the benefits of thrifting - low cost, knowing that you're recycling clothes rather than paying some evil corporation to make clothes in a sweatshop and ship them across the world for you - without the hassle of going through racks upon racks of crappy clothing. One word of warning: although consignment stores can be magical places, they still take a little more thought than the mall. If you've never been to one before, I recommend spending some time reading google reviews to find the good ones in your area. Spend a lovely, frugal Saturday and visit as many as you can to find the ones that best suit your style. This step is important because: - These stores tend to cater to a specific audience. You may need to visit a few to find the right one for you. - Some consignment stores are more geared towards designer labels. Think $300 Chanel dresses. Still a great deal, but probably not a frugal choice. - Some are just ridiculously overpriced. The closer it is to a trendy area, the more likely this is. Have a decent idea of what you normally think is reasonable to spend on clothes, and plan to spend 1/3 or less. Be wary of t-shirts, which are often overpriced. I've just recently gotten into thrifting, but my favourite store is Plato's Closet. It's supposed to be aimed at teens and young adults, but I'm 29 so it depends on your style. I work in a casual office and I tend to wear XS-S, so these type of clothes work for me. It definitely has its share of graphic tees, but basics like sweaters, button-ups, and jeans are a STEAL. I have a strong sense of what I like, but I've always had a hard time dressing in my own style because the prices at the mall just KILL me. Forty dollars for a t-shirt?! ARE YOU INSANE?! So when I walk in there and see sweaters for ten dollars, I get a little giddy.
0 Comments
|
Just the honest truth.Archives
May 2019
Categories |