How to avoid overspending on Thrifts
Hello there, are you caught in the dilemma of needing to save money with thrift and still wanting to buy everything available at almost 99% off the price?
You are not alone.
I am an avid thrifter too who loves spending and buying everything available and affordable to me. This habit has only led to a closet full of clothes that I’ll never wear, or clothes I have to give away because it doesn’t fit my vibe anymore, and the worse, overspending that leaves me in a broken state. Sigh!!
Over the years I have come up with some hacks and strategies that not only saved me money but also satisfies my need to have and wear fine clothes and own fine stuff.
Would you like to do the same (buy clothes and still save money)?
I thrift mostly in fashion, so the tips I am sharing here are all fashion related.
1. Pre-plan before going for the thrift hunt
Sister, avoid blind hitting while going for thrifting unless you like collecting random clothes that you will never wear. The best way to avoid buying random clothes (no-brainer) is to realize what is it you want to add to the list of clothes you already own. Make a list of clothes you would need for a certain outfit or occasion in your mind. If you’re not sure of what clothes you’ll be needing then at least have the occasion clear in your mind. Is it for a Birthday party, cocktail party, for next summer/winter, or a reel or TikTok videos (wink)
2. Create and set a Budget
Now, this may sound harsh, but you may wanna look into your bank account or your purse and decide how much are you willing to spend at the thrift shop without being broke after. I usually set a budget of amount little lesser than I am willing to spend as I tend to shop over the budget and it is out of control LOL. So you may wanna do that if you can relate to me. It prevents post-shopping regrets too.
3. Only quality clothes
Now you’re in the thrift store, and what you want to do next is to pick up clothes that are price-worthy, quality-wise. Also, make sure it will not become unwearable after one wash. Choose clothes that would be sustainable in your wardrobe, and that you would not want to throw away after wearing them only once.
4. Wait it out and Buy at a good bargain
Most thrift stores are selling clothes at prices higher than they used to sell in the past years. I think it’s due to the rise in the number of online thrift stores which encourages the general offline stores and wholesalers to up their prices as well. So if you have a very low budget for thrifting then you would want to wait it out (unless you’re a very good bargainer and can get your way out) for the sellers to keep the clothes for sometimes after which they reduce the price. This may come with the risk of missing out on the best pieces but sometimes good pieces remain till the end with reduced prices.
5. Find and buy from a good online thrift store
If you are an Instagram thrifter listen to this very carefully. As shoppers, we tend to be influenced by the actions of fellow shoppers. That's why influencer exists persuading you to buy stuff they don't even use themselves. So given this fact we tend to feel that the better stuff exists where competition is more. And so we wait to compete and buy from online stores that get sold out quickly even if they may not have the best product or at the best rate. And we ignore smaller stores that are selling better products at better rates. So you need to be smart when it comes to this. Don't wait to shop from bigger stores, try to shop from good stores. From what I experienced as a seller and a buyer, smaller thrift stores tend to sell at a lower price.
6. Pause and ask
Even though we have all planned out, it sometimes is difficult to not get persuaded by the beauty of the clothes. When it happens to you at the thrift store, before making the impulsive purchase take a moment and pause. Ask yourself these three questions
a. Do you really need this piece of cloth?
b. Do you see yourself wearing it or will it be piled up in your closet like the rest of the unworn clothes?
c. Where would you wear it?
If you can answer these positively and if you have the money, get it. If not, then leave it be.
CONCLUSION
So, these are the tips to save money while thrifting and get good quality thrift clothes.
Hope this helps you in your next thrifting adventure.
Find good quality clothes on Instagram
Wow😍