Even if you don't have a student in your family, you may be tempted to take advantage of back-to-school sales. Before you buy brand-new items, consider purchasing previously owned goods that may bring you just as much joy while minimizing the impact on your wallet.
Buying used clothing items is not only a budget-friendly choice but is also good for the environment. Shopping second-hand is sustainable and saves unwanted clothing from going to the landfill.
If you're ready to rock second-hand clothing this school year, we've compiled some tips to help you save your money and help the environment in style.
Host a Clothing Swap with Friends and/or Neighbors
Possibly the most grassroots (and cheapest) way to get high-quality second-hand clothing is to source it from people you already know. If you don't want to come right out and ask for their hand-me-downs, you can set up a clothing swap with friends and/or neighbors. Choose a location and have everyone bring items in good condition that they no longer need. For each item someone brings, they get to take another item home. So if you bring five pieces of clothing, you get five. If you bring ten, you get ten. And if there are leftover pieces at the end, you can donate them to a local nonprofit.
Online Marketplaces
You can often shop for gently used clothing from the comfort of your own home. Check out online marketplaces for deals that will fit your budget. You can consider:
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Looking through sales sections of social media platforms.
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Connecting with local "Buy Nothing" groups.
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Shopping from national second-hand sites (many boast name brands that you may normally be out of your budget).
No matter how you shop online for second-hand goods (or any items, really), be cautious. Be wary of deals that are too good to be true and avoid sellers that pressure you to wire money or pay them in other ways in advance of receiving the item. And never share your banking information or credentials as part of a transaction.
Keep physical safety in mind, too. Choose public spaces to swap goods - some police departments even have designated spaces where you can go to trade off online purchases. If that's not an option, choose somewhere that's highly visible, and consider bringing a friend along.
Hit Up Your Local Thrift Shop
When it comes to second-hand shopping, there are plenty of options. You can check out nonprofit organizations where people donate items they no longer need, local franchise locations of national consignment chains, or even specialty shops that focus on selling used children's clothes. These retailers often offer clothing at a low price all the time, but you can save even more if you look out for special deals. Some places may offer discounts for veterans, teachers, or other designated groups. Some may also have specific sales leading up to the school year that offer even lower prices.
But if you still wish to go to a department store, don't forget to bring a list of what you need and stick to it. Buying items that you weren't intending to purchase even if they're a great deal can still break your budget, and impulse buys can leave you with pieces you may not actually use.
Go Green + Save All Year
While back-to-school season is a popular time to buy new clothes, second-hand shopping options are available all year, offering you even more opportunities to save.
There are many other things you can do all year to benefit the environment and give your wallet a break. To find out more, check out our resource center.
