All of the Sneaky Money-Saving and Making Ways!

"Hannah, you should really write a book about all your sneaky, money-making ways." 

                           - Several People

I've heard this several times over the last month and a half, so I figured I might as well throw together a little run-down of how I make a little spare cash.

#1 Goodwill 
(And other thrift stores, I suppose)

To locate the location nearest you, click HERE!

I don't care how much money you make - Goodwill should be everyone's best friend. I buy the majority of my clothing from Goodwill as well as housewares, decorating supplies, accessories, and shoes.

To be a winner at the Goodwill Shopping Game, there are some important rules:

1) Know Your Stores

Google the Goodwill's in your area and then visit them all at least once. What I've found is that for some reason, different Goodwill's are best for different types of items you are looking for. For example, I've found the "furniture" Goodwill, the "shoes" Goodwill, and the "sketchy" Goodwill. Figure out where you find the best deals on different things consistently so you know where to look for different items to suit your personal preference. 

2) Know the Sales

Who knew Goodwill had sales, right? They totally do. Inquire about them at a store and pick up a Calendar of Events. For example: At the locations in Lincoln, if you are a student and have an ID on Wednesdays you get 20% off of EVERYTHING YOU BUY. Awesome, right? 

3) DON'T BUY EVERYTHING.

This rule is really important, especially if you are discovering Goodwill for the first time. Just because everything at Goodwill is generally pretty cheap, don't buy a lot just because of the price. You can afford to be snobby - buy quality items. This is especially true for clothing. 

4) Shopping for Clothing

- If it is scuffed, torn, ripped, faded, sweat-stained, too big, too small,  or stretched out - do not buy it, do not try it on, just pretend you never saw it and keep looking.

- Plan to dedicate time to finding clothing. The key to good finds often lies in putting time into going through the racks. Sometimes ALL of them.

- Try on everything you are considering purchasing. If it does not fit  ANYWHERE ON YOUR BODY and you do not know how to easily alter it, I guarantee you will never fix it and therefore never wear it. Not a perfect fit - put it back, leave it there.

- Ask yourself a few questions while trying clothing on:

"Will I wear this more than once?"

"Am I going to regret if I don't buy this?"

"How many outfits can I make using this piece and others I already have?"

"Do I even like this?"

"Am I only buying this for the brand on the label?"

"Does this piece fit into my wardrobe style?"

"Do I actually need this?"

5) Know Risks

Be cautious when buying things that are used. Weigh the risks when purchasing bedding, mattresses  curtains, etc. Let me tell you - bed bugs are not a thing anyone wants to risk. I'm not saying Goodwill's items have bed bugs, but be an informed buyer, just in case.

6) Make Money Back

When you take items to Goodwill to donate, get a receipt and save it for tax deductible time. :)

#2 Plato's Closet

Click HERE for more info!

This is my number one source of cash-back flow. Plato's Closet is a store that buys and sells gently used brand-name clothing. Because most of the clothes I buy from Goodwill are in perfect condition and tend to be higher-end, popular brands, I can wear them a few times and then sell a lot of it back to Plato's Closet. Many times I have made more money selling the clothing back than I actually paid for it at Goodwill.

**This is not always true - PC is a picky, snobby place, so they don't take nearly everything. Be forewarned. If you want to become a millionaire, prepare for heartbreak. 

- Plato's Closet also has punch cards. For each $10 you spend or make selling clothes you earn a punch. When the card is full, you get 20% off.

#3 Free Stuff/Sheer Profit

Okay, I'm giving you insight on the grounds that you don't pass judgement on my money-making ways. A lot of times there are opportunities to make money selling stuff people give away, give to me, etc. for free and then I turn around and sell it for sheer profit through an alternate venue. My most recent trove of treasures came from dorm move-outs.

Every year, the last few days before the dorms close students realize 15 minutes before they have to leave that they have a lot more stuff packed in their room than they remember and don't have the time or space in the car to take it all. So they get rid of a bunch of stuff.

I collected a lot of that and sold it. My running profit total just cleared...$200. So keeping an eye out for those kind of deals can really add up fast!

I use Ebay and Amazon for selling items that Plato's Closet doesn't take. Amazon is my primary venue for selling textbooks and Ebay for clothing. Pay Pal is my best friend - if you are good at navigating the internet this could be the place for you!

My motto at a "real" store (i.e. the mall in general) is if it isn't on sale and isn't a basic piece of clothing, I probably should skip it. But sometimes it's okay to get something just because.

Also, there is no shame in garage sales and shopping clearance. Buying "pre-owned" and "used" items doesn't mean you're poor. It means you are a smart, fiscally responsible person. 

And who doesn't like being a fiscally responsible person?! 

No one. That's who. :)