We’ve covered the subject of thrifting, or purchasing second hand, but there are times when you’ve just got to have new. Shoes, socks and underwear, new clothes, winter coats, household items, art and craft supplies, whatever. If your budget is tight, before you go shopping you might wish to find out where the factory outlet stores and discount outlets in your area are.
These are retail outlets that carry factory-direct items, seconds, and clothing, shoes, coats, bedding or household items in discontinued styles or colors. The prices are significantly lower than can be found at most stores, and the products are usually made in America.
Living on a shoestring budget requires a person to be resourceful, and it doesn’t hurt to remember some of the things you were taught in Home Ec classes, like how to sew. Many community colleges offer evening classes where you can learn the basics for a small fee. Schools, churches and businesses often offer evening classes in crafting, where you may find that you’ve a real flair for making things yourself.
For instance, my daughter and grandson went shopping at an outlet store last weekend. He bought a nice pair of goth-style pants for $8 because they were missing a drawstring on the hem of one leg. He got a dark green collared shirt with shoulder tabs for $4 because it’s a discontinued style. And my daughter got a nice pair of black slacks for $1 because one of the back pockets is stitched closed. You have to inspect factory seconds carefully before you buy, make sure that what’s wrong is something you can live with or fix yourself. If the zipper is broken, you should know how to install a new zipper. If the arms in that shirt are two different lengths, you probably won’t want it (unless your arms are two different lengths).
I’ve seen winter coats at the coat factory outlet for $10 in discontinued styles that will keep you plenty warm and look very nice. I’ve bought shoes for $10 or less that last just as long as $50 shoes and are every bit as fashionable. In many cities a group of factory outlet stores can be found all together in a strip mall. And because I live in an area where there are several textile factories, there are outlets for fabrics and accessories as well. At one, there is a bin of stuffed comforter fabric that goes for $3 a pound – all it needs is binding on the edges and a pound is enough to spread 2 full sized beds.
Getting supplies for crafts and useful items (like comforters) at deep discounts also allows you to make gifts for people that are very much appreciated. Weddings and showers, Christmas and birthdays, baby things. You’d be surprised how much money people spend on gifts over a year’s time, and there’s always an occasion coming up where someone would be thrilled to get something you’ve made yourself.
It takes a little investigative work to find the outlets in your area, but they should be listed in the local yellow pages. With a plan of action and an itinerary you won’t waste any gas getting around, either. Many craft and wedding supplies can be purchased at deep discount over the internet direct from the factories, supply warehouses or on eBay. When money is tight you don’t have to do without, you just have to restrain the urge to make impulse purchases or shop at higher-end stores. There’s no reason to pay a hundred dollars for a winter coat at the mall when you could buy the identical coat at a factory outlet for $25.
And the big up-side to learning how to buy at discount and make things yourself is that your family, friends and neighbors will notice. Before you know it you could be organizing fun shopping excursions with your friends, and might be earning a little money by creating centerpieces, door prizes, wall wreaths and silk arrangements for other people’s weddings, banquets and baby showers!
Links:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Household Solutions