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How to Save Money at Thrift Stores

By WTOP Staff

Last month, actress Sarah Jessica Parker stopped by Tyson’s Corner in McLean, Virginia, a major shopping destination in the area. The purpose of her trip was primarily to promote her new line of shoes and handbags. However, guess what else she did while in town? She carved out time in her busy schedule to shop at two thrift stores, which she shared with her Twitter followers.

A growing number of celebrities like Parker are singing the praises of thrift stores. It is safe to say that thrift store shopping has lost the stigma it once held, as a source of shabby, unfashionable clothing. It is now considered much more hip to shop secondhand. After all, you never know what designer brands you will stumble upon for a fraction of the price. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your next thrift store trip:

Know the Layout

Karen Wathen, the blogger behind DC Goodwill Fashionista, a blog run by Goodwill of Greater Washington, shares her affinity for designer brands for less at thrift stores. She recommends that those seeking designer gems first get a handle of their local thrift store’s layout. Unlike the traditional department store layout, each thrift shop varies. Some are organized by size, some by color and others by special tagging. Identifying how the store is organized will then allow you to strategically start searching and make a game plan for covering applicable sections. Wathen recommends being thorough and sifting through each piece on the rack. Patience can help you find the best pieces, ones that the impatient shopper has hastily glossed over and leave on the rack.

Bring Your Smartphone

When you find an item that feels luxurious but you’re unfamiliar with the brand name, simply snap a pic with your smartphone and search online to determine the brand. Using this method, Wathen discovered a blouse from a brand she didn’t recognize that normally retails for $200 on sale at Goodwill for just $4.98. It’s important to note that some stores, such as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, also carry high-end brands whose names aren’t as well-known. Doing a little research on the name listed on the tag can help you discover those gems.

Find the Boutique Rack

For those who might be lacking patience or time, Wathen shares that many Goodwill stores feature a boutique rack where the higher-end brands are grouped together, and prices are slightly higher than other items around the store. “You will have easy access to brands like Michael Kors, Burberry and Christian Dior, without having to sift through the racks,” she says.

Donate and Give Back

Wathen is a firm believer in good “thrifting karma.” Donations to a place like Goodwill can also help support your community and help provide job and job training.

Build Off of Wardrobe Staples

On her blog MoreWithLessToday.com, Lori Felix, who lives in Orange County, California, shares her love for thrift stores and deals, as well as practical bargain shopping tips for beginners. For those new to thrift store shopping, she suggests building your wardrobe with a great fitting pair of pants or jeans. Then look for an accompanying blouse, top, jacket or sweater at your local thrift store. She recommends that you wear those pants the day you go shopping, so you can see what matches well. Plus, don’t overlook accessories, such as scarves or jewelry, which are inexpensive at thrift stores. Felix started thrifting when her daughter was in grade school, as a way to stock up on inexpensive costumes and dress-up materials.

Pay Attention to Location

Another strategy that Felix emphasizes is the importance of the thrift store location. She finds the best quality designer clothing in upscale areas. According to Felix, wealthier cities as well as popular travel destinations can be great for scouting out thrift stores with high-end clothing. She shares that hotels will often bring unclaimed clothing and electronics to thrift stores, which means thrift stores near major cities and tourist attractions are the places to go.

Felix’s own best thrift store discovery was the time she found seven different St. John knit sweater sets that ranged in price from $7.99 to $9.99 each. The typical retail price for those luxurious sweaters at Neiman Marcus and other high-end stores can be as high as $1,000.

Thrift stores are a great place to satisfy your fashion cravings on a shoestring budget. Strategically shopping at stores in upscale areas, patiently sifting through the entire rack and having a smartphone to help research unknown brands and normal retail prices will help you in your search for second-hand treasures at your local thrift store. And in case you’re wondering, according to local sources, Sarah Jessica Parker purchased mainly shoes and handbags during her shopping excursion at Goodwill in Falls Church, Virginia — top fashion staples for those seeking thrift store deals!

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How to Save Money at Thrift Stores originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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