Learn How to: Shop Without Money (Part I)

Finally sharing with you how I shop without spending money.

Shopping can get both addictive and pricey if you aren’t careful. Take it from someone who has more than enough clothes, and a ‘down payment on a house’ worth of shoes. Shopping has always been my biggest vice. From as early as I could remember I loved shopping. I vividly recall buying a Lot 29 dress from Jimmy Jazz ( ya’ll suburban folks might not know anything about this.) when I was in the 8th grade. I would save my allowance that my dad gave me for one month just to buy the newest hood apparel! So I think I know what I am talking about when I say I’m not new to this shopping game.

As I grow older and my values start to change, I simply cannot afford to spend $1000+ on a pair of shoes any longer (yes, unfortunately I have been that stupid in the past). So finding new ways to save money or reallocating money to the student loan payments has taken the place of finding out where to buy the newest Balenciaga boots. Because let’s be real, I’m not going to stop shopping. So I might as well get a little crafty on ways that I can shop.

Perhaps an ‘A’ for effort?

I meant to make a video about this, and I still plan to but I promised to share this with you about one month ago so here it goes- I’ve come up with a few ways to shop for free and save your coins and I’d love to share that with my lovely readers:

1. Sell before you buy

I’ve purposed in my mind that I won’t buy unless I sell something first. Oftentimes so many great pieces in our closets go unworn and neglected and this shouldn’t be the case. I know many of you have an attachment to material things but this is the year to break that habit. If you haven’t worn something in over a year, throw it in your new “sell bag” – it’s time to let it go. If you’ve gained a bit of weight and it no longer fits, drop it in the “sell bag.” Stop fooling yourself into believing you’ll lose the weight; if you were that disciplined, you wouldn’t have gained the weight in the first place.

Buffalo Exchange

I first learned about the Buffalo Exchange consignment shops while in college in Philly. Starving college students will find any and every way to make a few extra dollars. So one day, while exploring Center City- Philadelphia, I walked into Buffalo Exchange for the first time. Back then (2008), it wasn’t too popular, so I’d find all sorts of high end pieces for less than $30. Think Burberry, Moncler, BCBG Maxazria, Paper Denim, etc. I figured if I could sell all my old clothes, I could buy new ones from there. And it worked! My friends thought I was the most stylish woman on campus; they never knew I traded my old clothes for new pieces.

Buffalo Exchange is a consignment shop where you can buy, sell, or trade your clothing. In those, I used to sell for cash as well- they give you 30% in cash  for OR 50% in store credit. And because it’s a consignment shop, chances are you’re not becoming rich from selling your clothes here. Now- I hardly ever sell for cash, I just need the money to buy new stuff.

Wondering what you can possibly get from Buffalo Exchange? See some things below:

Bought after trade credit at Buffalo Exchange from left to right: (Gucci Fringe Heels, Christian Louboutin Pumps, Real Fur Hat, Marc Jacobs Bag, J. Crew tweed coat, Sole Society hat, Camo Jacket)

Second Time Around & INA

These two are among my favorite consignment shops. While I haven’t shopped there in almost one year, it isn’t because they don’t have any good stuff! I actually just found an easier way to make my coins (which I’ll share with you in part II of this blog post.) The difference between these consignment shops and Buffalo Exchange is that one gives you your money up front (Buffalo) while the other two give you the money AFTER someone buys it (INA & Second Time Around.) Obviously, for this reason, Second Time Around & INA give you so much more money for your pieces compared to Buffalo Exchange.

Interested in seeing what you can possibly get from these consignment shops? See some things below:

Bought after selling at Second Time Around & INA from left to right: (Manolo Blahnik Hangisi – band new with tags , Jimmy Choo pumps, Christian Louboutin slingbacks, Christian Louboutin pumps)

The great thing about these consignment shops is that there are always hidden gems to find. Sometimes people do insane things like sell their Manolo Blahnik Hangisi brand new with the extra heel backs (first picture above) for people like me to snatch; and sometimes people do weird things like sell their real fur for people like me to conquer. In any event, I’m always grateful. One man’s trash [in the form of Christian Louboutin] will always be Christina’s treasure.

Next week, I’ll be sharing part II of how you can shop for free! Yay!

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