Balling on a Budget, My Guide to Shopping in College

Written by Olivia Daly

 

I love to shop. I’ve always had a bit of an addiction. My annual spending on clothes easily reaches the thousands, and I’ve been able to support this addiction through my summer job earnings. Unfortunately, this summer I was unemployed, meaning for the first time in my college life, I couldn’t afford my usual shopping binges. Instead of letting it hold me back, I’ve learned to adapt. So, for all the fashion lovers out there working with a budget or just trying to save a few extra bucks, here is my tried-and-true guide to ballin’ on a budget.

 

Sales are your Friend

Sales are one of the best ways to save big. Do your research on annual sales so you know when they’re coming up and you can be ready. Subscribe to the mailing lists of your favorite brands to stay in the loop about different deals coming up. Watch the prices on these sites, many online retailers offer daily deals, sometimes buying too early means you miss out on a better price later. One example of this is Edikted. They always have a sale, some days it’s 30% off, but after watching prices for a while I realized they periodically drop down to 80% off. Buying anytime before then is cheating yourself. Evry Jewels is another example of this.


 

Set an Intention before Shopping

The easiest way to avoid wasting money on an outfit you’ll wear once and will then slowly collect dust in the back of your closet is to shop with a purpose. Browse with intention. Let’s say you need a going-out top. When you go online, head straight for the “tops” tab, and set filters to “going out.” In stores, make a beeline for black tops and sequins. Don’t spend time falling in love with something you don’t need. Stores are designed to get you to browse all their items and buy more than what you’d planned. You can circumvent this trap by putting on your “shopping-blinders” and remembering the intention you set out with.


 

Know the Personal Value of a Product

An exercise I like to follow – either  online or in store – is to look at the item in front of me and come up with a number I’d be willing to pay for before looking at the price tag. Really consider what you’ll be getting from this. How much will you wear it? Do you have anything similar to this in your closet? How much do you even like it? What items in your closet do you see yourself wearing it with? Where would you wear it? Now look at the price tag. If it’s higher than the number you set, it’s time to walk away. Think about your personal opportunity cost; how much benefit does this piece provide you with, and how much money are you willing to give up for it. Economics in action!

 

Thrifting!

When ballin’ on a budget, secondhand is your best friend. It’s not only budget-friendly, but incredibly satisfying and rewarding. Instead of instant gratification, you really have to work to find a score. I recommend online retailers like Depop and ThredUp. It takes some work at first, but once your algorithm understands you, it’s much easier. Local thrift and vintage stores are great resources, if you strike out one day, their inventory is constantly changing, making every visit a surprise. Estate sales are also an awesome source of secondhand.

You can find unique clothing and jewelry, sometimes by sifting right through the closet of the previous owner. My most important tip when it comes to thrifting in its many forms is don’t be afraid to haggle. Always at least try to get a better price to make your hard earned dollars go even a little bit farther. Look for quality second hand pieces, familiarize yourself with older brands, and always stay informed; a quick google search can let you compare an item in store with online resellers. Don’t let a little wear scare you away. If the wear is minimal or in a spot that is barely visible, don’t be deterred.


 

Use these tips to be a smarter shopper, you’ll thank me later!

 

Edited by Hana Razvi & Katherine Rubinstein

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