Thrifting: Advantages for low-income students

BY MICAELA SULLIVAN

Multimedia Journalist

Shopping as a low-income student with the rising rate of tuition fees, money for gas and some groceries can be hard, especially if you need a specific item of clothing for an interview. While you can always shop for sales at stores, one way low-income students can battle the need for clothing without worrying about a big price tag is by shopping at thrift or secondhand clothing stores. 

Tarleton student Abby Beckley loves the savings secondhand buying provides.

“When it comes to thrifting, I really love all the good finds for better prices,” Beckley said. “You find things that were really well used, but you give them a whole new purpose. I really think that's cool.”

Unlike going to a first-hand shop and buying something for its full retail price, you can go to a secondhand shop and get the same thing for half the price. 

“I think that on certain things, first-hand buying is a good idea, but secondhand is definitely the way to go,” Beckley said. “It’s better for low-income people, and it’s better in terms of, say, breaking in a pair of shoes; you just spent $80 on the same pair of shoes you can get for $10, and they’re already broken in for you. It’s more convenient, and it’s also good in the sense that you know you’re buying something used but you find so many new uses for things.”

Tarleton student and thrifter Abby Brown says she loves thrifting because you can get something someone cherished that you can now use for yourself. She also loves thrifting because it’s good for the environment and because it is affordable. 

“I do like that it is really affordable. I’m a college student so I don’t have a lot of money. It’s really nice to go and find something that would be $15 to $20 at any other store but then at the thrift store, it’s like $5. So that’s another level of excitement for me; finding something super cheap that I’m going to love for a long time,” Brown said.

In recent times, thrifting and buying at secondhand stores has become a trend. While it’s a good way to promote secondhand buying, it can also affect the people who need it most. 

“Now that it is trendy, I feel like the prices have gone up a little, so that’s kind of the danger of this being a big trend instead of being like, ‘Hey, this is actually helping people who can’t really afford to go out and buy new clothes all the time,’” Brown said. “But I do think it’s really beneficial to students whose part-time job might only cover rent, or who just can’t afford to go on shopping sprees all the time. I think it’s super good to perpetuate that cycle of shopping secondhand.”

Brown also shared a few tips for students interested in the art of thrift shopping. 

“If you’re going to get clothing, wash your clothes,” Brown said. “Also, you can buy more than clothes at thrift stores. There’s resources for thrifting textbooks or literally anything in the whole world. So don’t limit yourself to just clothing, because you can get anything secondhand, and sometimes it is better than anything you can get at the store.”

For any avid thrifters or people who are looking for more affordable clothing, there are lots of secondhand shops that Tarleton students can shop at on a low budget in Stephenville. Not Too Shabby Consignment Boutique, Second Time Around Consignment & Boutique, CJ’s Spurs ‘n Thangs and Hope Inc are all several great options to keep your closet—and budget—in good shape.