Elsa Larson
Online Layout Editor

Most of our relationships with shopping are pretty much love-hate, but fortunately, I have a few tricks that will hopefully make spending money on things, you might not necessarily need, a better and smarter experience for you and your wallet.

Around 14, my parents decided to stop paying for things I didn’t exactly need\; including extra shoes, nails, makeup, clothing that can’t even fit in my closet, etc. I had to get my first real job, in order to get the money to buy the things that I was so used to having.

For most people, it’s harder to spend your own money rather than spending someone else’s. So, over the past four years, I’ve come up with a few tips and tricks on making your dollars stretch, while still keeping up with your hobby of shopping.

Firstly, I suggest that you get a job. My first and most important tip is more focused on saving money\; this suggestion is for those who are employed and collect their own paychecks. It’s making your 20’s stretch and saving your 100’s.

For example, if your paycheck is $376, you would transfer $300 to your savings, and use the $76 to last you until your next check. This may take some adjusting to if you’re used to having more spending money on you, but you will quickly notice the money stacking up in your savings.

Tip number two, if you do any online shopping, most websites offer digital coupon codes. You can always search the name of the website you’re shopping on followed by ‘coupon codes’ and the web will give you plenty of options. I use the engine Honey, which is a downloadable browser extension that will save you money as you shop.

I created an account months ago and it has saved me a large amount of money. Every time I go to my online shopping cart, Honey will tell me how many coupon codes they found for the website I’m on and automatically apply them, so it’s extremely easy to use.

My third piece of advice is thrifting or reusing. Thrifting items like furniture, home decor and clothes can save you a lot of money. Local thrift shops, such as Goodwill, are packed with furniture and clothes that are usually in good condition.

“I love thrifting because its a really sustainable alternative to buying from big brands that use fast fashion and child labor. Buying sustainable fashion is a really good way to help environmental health,” junior Lilliana Avery said.

Recently, I was on the hunt for a Papasan chair for my room, which is generally priced up to $200, but after a couple days of searching I came across a chair almost identical to the $175 chair I had my heart set on, but it only cost me $45. You don’t always have to shop retail to find pieces that you really love\; second hand and discount stores almost always have better prices.

“Thrifting or buying second hand is so much better for your wallet, and everything you find is so unique, you won’t run into someone else wearing the same outfit as you if you buy second hand,” senior Eleanor Robinson stated.