Thrifting culture has gained significant popularity in the United States, drawing a diverse range of people seeking unique items and fantastic deals. The word, thrifting, means to go shopping for second-hand goods. This article dives into the world of thrifting, offering insights for how international healthcare professionals living in the U.S. can find the best bargains and save money when furnishing their new home, buying new clothes, or shopping for groceries. We also explain how to use coupons and online tools that facilitate discounts and cashback, to help you cut back on spending.
Finding the best bargains
Thrifting provides an opportunity to uncover hidden treasures at affordable prices. To find the best bargains, consider the following tips:
Explore thrift stores: Thrift stores, such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local consignment shops, are renowned for their affordable prices. Keep an open mind while browsing various sections for clothes, accessories, furniture, and housewares.
Garage sales and flea markets: Attend garage sales and flea markets in your area, where you can often find unique items at significantly reduced prices. Be prepared to negotiate to secure better deals.
Estate sales: Estate sales occur when a person's property is sold off, often due to a move, downsizing, or the owner's passing. These sales often offer a wide range of household items, furniture, antiques, and collectibles at reasonable prices.
The power of couponing
Coupons serve as a powerful tool to save even more money when thrifting. Here are some suggestions on finding coupons:
Newspapers and magazines: Traditional coupon sources like newspapers and magazines often contain coupons for various retail stores, both thrift and regular.
Online coupon websites: Explore websites such as Coupons.com, RetailMeNot, and Groupon, where you can find coupons for both online and in-store shopping.
Store websites and apps: Many thrift stores and retail chains have their own websites and apps, providing exclusive coupons and discounts to their loyal customers.
Online tools for discounts and cashback
In the digital age, various online tools offer discounts and cashback options, transforming the way we shop. Here are a few popular options:
Honey: Install the Honey browser extension, which automatically scours the internet for applicable coupon codes during online purchases. It helps you save money effortlessly.
Coupert: Similar to Honey, Coupert offers automatic coupon codes during online shopping, ensuring you get the best deal. If no codes are available, it offers cashback, which you can later withdraw as vouchers to spend at popular online stores.
Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Rakuten offers cashback rewards for online purchases made through their platform. All you have to do is activate the cashback function and complete your shopping to earn a percentage of your purchase back.
Buy on Black Friday
Black Friday, known as the biggest shopping day of the year, is an excellent opportunity for thrifty individuals to score exceptional deals in the U.S. Falling on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday offers massive discounts and promotions across a wide range of products. Thrift stores, as well as retail chains and online platforms, participate in this shopping frenzy, providing incredible bargains on clothing, electronics, furniture, and more. Keep an eye out for Black Friday advertisements and plan your shopping strategy accordingly. Whether you choose to brave the crowds in-store or take advantage of online deals from the comfort of your home, Black Friday is a prime occasion to save money while indulging in the thrill of finding incredible discounts.
General tips for saving money
Apart from thrifting and utilizing coupons, here are some additional tips to save money when buying things in the U.S.:
Comparison shopping: Before making a purchase, compare prices across different stores or online platforms to ensure you're getting the best deal.
Seasonal sales: Keep an eye out for seasonal sales, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and end-of-season clearance events, which can offer significant discounts.
Loyalty programs: Sign up for loyalty programs offered by your favorite thrift stores or retail chains. These programs provide exclusive benefits such as additional discounts, rewards, and early access to sales.
Social media and newsletters: Follow thrift stores and your favorite brands on social media platforms and subscribe to their newsletters to receive updates on exclusive discounts and promotions.
By exploring thrift stores, and using coupons and online tools for discounts and cashback, you can enjoy a cost-effective approach to purchasing goods while living in the U.S. Don't forget to implement general money-saving tips to further enhance your thrifting experience. With these strategies, you'll become a savvy thrifter, discovering remarkable bargains while keeping your wallet happy.
For more advice on how to save money while living in the United States, read ‘10 tips to budget smarter while living in the U.S.’ and ‘Budget-friendly things to do with your friends and family in the U.S.’
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