Broke Style, Not Broken Style

If you've been in college for at least a semester, it's nothing new to cringe at the sight of your bank account balance. You also start to notice that your fashion staples are wearing down from consistent use now that you don't have to wear school uniforms. Where can you go to replace (often painstakingly) your favorites without breaking the bank? Here are my top three favorites.

1. Goodwill--I'm a little obsessed with thrifting, I'll admit. Chances are, in any given outfit, I'm wearing at least one item from a thrift store. If you can get over the musty smell and sometimes competitive company, you can find some great pieces. I have a bit of a shoe fetish: shopping at Goodwill saves me from going bankrupt while still allowing me to indulge my fancies from time to time. Also, the thrill of the hunt and capturing your bounty is oh-so rewarding.

2. eBay--This one can be a little tricky. You can find some really great and unique items on eBay, but you do run the risk of encountering a scammer. I had to learn this the hard way--my account got hacked and the perp tried to spend thousands of my dollars on a Playstation 4 and new smartphone. Luckily, I was able to report them and get the situation resolved. I still use eBay, though, but use an email created only for that website that isn't linked to any of my personal accounts. I haven't had any other seedy activity since then. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, this is also a great place to earn a few extra bucks.

3. Poshmark--I don't use this one as much as I used to due to recent shipping price increases, but this is a great one if you're still leery of eBay. Available in app and browser form, all activity is moderated by the company, and if you don't receive your item, you get an immediate refund. You can find a plethora of fashion items, including designer items that are new with tags, but at a discount price! Anyone is able to create their own "boutique" and sell either their secondhand items or wholesale pieces, available for purchase through Poshmark.

These resources have saved me tons of money while still allowing me to wear what I want. Do you have any cash-savvy shopping tips or places you like to find steals? I'd love to know, and I hope you found this list helpful!

Sources:
www.ebay.com
www.poshmark.com