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5 Holiday Items You Should Buy at a Thrift Store

By WTOP Staff

One of the rare times of the year that I actually go shopping at thrift stores is during the holidays. Of course, if I had the time and lived closer to some of the more popular ones, I would go more often. With thrift stores, you’re bound to find something really interesting or needed and the prices you just can’t beat.

Besides the prices, I go to the thrift stores during the holidays because more often than not I’ve found seasonal items that I wasn’t able to find elsewhere. Of course, there is the option to buy seasonal goods at the Dollar Store, but by going to the thrift store, you can often find quality treasures that go beyond one-time use. If you have some time, patience and an open mind, thrift store shopping can be rewarding.

If you’re a first time thrift store scourer, it can be a little intimidating because there’s a lot of stuff everywhere. Another thing to remember is that not everything comes at a good deal. There have been times where I’ve come across things that I really liked and had to pass on it because the prices were ridiculously high. For those reasons, I’m here to offer you some tips on what to buy and what not to buy at the thrift stores during this holiday season to make the most out of your experience and money.

China: When it comes to your fancy cups, plates and dinnerware, thrift stores might be for you. If you have guests coming over for the holidays, you’re probably going to need more dinnerware, silverware and the like. You’ll find a lot at the thrift store for a good price, but you’ll also see some goods overpriced. If you’re paying more than $10 for a set of four to six plates at a thrift shop, then your best bet is to shop at discount stores like Marshalls, Ross or Home Goods instead.

Christmas or Hanukkah Decorations: This past weekend, I went to Santa Barbara and searched through all of their amazing thrift stores. I found tons of Christmas decorations, as well as fall decorations. Some of the decorations still had their original packaging and was over 80 percent off the retail price. The ornaments were 4 for $1, stockings were a few dollars and everything else was under $10. When I shopped for ornaments at department stores such as Macy’s, I use to spend well over $150 with discounts. At the thrift store, I could spend $50 for the same amount of items that are probably better in quality. The bottom line is that thrift stores are a great place for holiday decorations.

Gifts: If you’re looking for a gift for a person who has everything, thrift store shopping is a must. You can find old vinyls, comic books, vintage typewriters, phones, almost anything you can think of. But remember, you’re probably going to get a better deal buying some old vinyls versus a vintage phone because the rarer they are, the more expensive they’re going to be. I love going to thrift store to buy vintage jewelry and little knick-knacks you can’t find anywhere else.

Clothing: Your go-to place for ugly holiday sweaters is your neighborhood thrift shop. You may need to buy one for a holiday party for work and you’ll definitely find an ugly sweater there. I saw one for $5 which I think is a great price. If you’re planning on going to a fancier holiday party, thrift stores carry everything from cocktail dresses to formal suits. Make sure you check to see if there are any noticeable stains or rips before purchasing. A deal is only good if what you are getting is in reasonable condition.

Furniture: If you have guests coming into town, you may need to find a futon or extra chairs for your dining room table. While thrift store shopping for furniture is a must, it can get a little tricky. First, you have to decide if you want furniture that you want to keep for a long time or that you use a couple times and then discard. If you want to get furniture that lasts, you can find some amazing vintage pieces at the thrift store but the price can either be really great or really expensive. If you’re in a bind and you need something immediately, but you don’t care about the quality, it might be easier to snatch something up at IKEA or Target.

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5 Holiday Items You Should Buy at a Thrift Store 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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