Avoid the Mall

Going to the mall is probably one of my least favorite things to do. The only time I find myself going is if I receive a gift card to a store in the mall or if one of my friends is looking for something specific and I am just tagging along. It’s hard to find a good bargain in the mall, so that’s part of the reason why I dislike malls so much. Another reason is because every time I try on clothes at the mall, I leave the building feeling crappy about myself. Stores like H&M, Forever 21, Charlotte Rousse, and Hollister make their clothes for girls who are 110 pounds and 5 foot 8 inches. We won’t go into details…but the clothes made for girls of that size don’t look so good on me. Instead of wasting my time (and most importantly money) in the mall, I’d much rather go to Goodwill.

The only time I see most of my friends who I go to college with in Goodwill is when they are shopping for a themed party. Shockingly enough, Goodwill has more to offer than tacky Christmas sweaters and 80s garb. Some of my favorite articles of clothing are from Goodwill. I’d say I get more compliments on my clothes I get there than the clothes I have from a store in the mall. I can say with confidence that by purchasing the majority of my wardrobe at Goodwill I have saved several hundreds of dollars throughout my time as a college student. 

Two of my favorite Goodwill finds. 

There are some people who are skeptical about shopping at thrift stores, and I understand why. My two rules for shopping at thrift stores, like Goodwill, are to always thoroughly check the clothes for damage before buying them and to wash them before wearing them. Another reason some people choose to stay away from thrift stores is because they don’t like digging through piles of clothes. I think that is half the fun. Finding a cute top in a pile of ugly ones is like finding treasure buried in the sand. 

You don’t have to like shopping at Goodwill, but if you want pinch some pennies, I’d do my best to stay away from the mall.

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my blog, Pointers from a Penny Pincher! As a senior in college, I consider myself to be more than an amateur, but a little less than a professional when it comes to saving money. I started my first job when I was fourteen years old and I have been working ever since. I have been extremely blessed to have parents who are willing and able to pay most of my bills for me. Not only do my parents pay for me to attend college, they pay for my cell phone, car, car insurance, and also my health insurance. Because my parents have always been so supportive of me, financially and spiritually as well, I have felt the need to pay for anything that I can on my own. I have been buying my own clothes, groceries, school supplies, gas, and electronics since high school.

Having to pay for things on your own, especially when you have a limited income, teaches you to be quite the penny pincher. I also have to give credit to my mom, who has instilled in me the knowledge of when, where, and how to find the best deals at any store.

Currently, my only source of income is my (small) monthly paycheck from my college for being a resident assistant. Throughout my four years of college, I think it is safe to say that I have mastered living on a budget. Obviously, without my parent’s offering to pay for the majority of my bigger bills, my penny pinching skills would probably not do the trick…but for now, they are keeping clothes on my back, food in my tummy, gas in my car, and books in my backpack. 

Along with being a frugal shopper, I do everything I can to make extra money. Like I said, being a RA (resident assistant) doesn’t pay the big bucks…but there are plenty of other ways for me to make money without leaving campus. Our student affairs office offers students tutoring and note taking jobs for minimum wage and the financial aid office offers work study for students who are eligible. I have tutored and taken notes in the past and I have had work study for the past three years. My work study pays up to $2000 a year and I have made the decision to have that money go towards my tuition instead of receiving a pay check. Anything I can do to help my parents out, I’ll do…I’ve earned several academic scholarships and I also receive a scholarship for playing lacrosse. Even though, I probably will never be able to pay my parents back every cent that they have spent on me, I will always try my hardest to show them that all of the money that they have spent has been worth it. 

I have created this blog as a way for me to try to help other college students use their money wisely.  Being a penny pincher isn’t easy, but with a little help, you’ll be able to start saving money in no time.